Rodents, Moles, and Voles: What’s Digging, Chewing, and Scurrying Around Your Bay Area Property?

Ever walk outside and notice mounds in the grass or tunnels weaving through your garden? Or maybe you’ve heard scratching in the attic or found droppings behind the fridge? You might be dealing with rodents… or moles… or voles. And yes, there’s a difference.

Out here in the Bay Area, critter control isn’t just a seasonal thing. Whether you live in Union City, Richmond, or anywhere across the East Bay or North Bay, these uninvited guests show up year-round—and they don’t knock first.

Let’s talk about what you’re up against and how to deal with it the smart way.

Who’s Causing the Chaos?

Rodents (Mice & Rats)

These are the indoor trespassers. They sneak in through vents, crawl spaces, and cracks smaller than a quarter. Once inside, they chew through wires, leave droppings, and can carry diseases. You’ll often hear them at night—little feet in the attic or scurrying behind walls.

If you’re seeing signs like:

• Chewed pantry goods

• Nests made of insulation

• Droppings under the sink or behind appliances

• Scratching in ceilings or walls at night

…that’s rodents. And it’s time to act.

Learn how our Rodent Control Program locks them out for good.

Moles

Moles don’t want your snacks—they want your soil. These guys tunnel underground in search of worms and insects, leaving soft ridges and dirt mounds all over your yard. One customer in Santa Rosa told us their backyard looked like a minefield. Classic mole damage.

Signs include:

• Mounds of loose dirt (like little volcanoes)

• Raised, meandering surface tunnels

• Dead patches in lawns or gardens

Voles

Voles are often mistaken for moles but cause different damage. They’re more mouse-like and spend time above and below ground, chewing roots and stripping bark from young trees. Your plants may seem like they’re dying for no reason, or you’ll see neat little runways in the grass.

You’ll know you’ve got voles if you notice:

• Gnawed stems or bark at the base of trees

• Surface-level trails across lawns

• Chewed root systems

Why the Bay Area Is a Hot Spot

From foggy mornings in Marin to mild winters in Santa Clara County, we’ve got the kind of climate that lets pests stay active year-round. Our lawns stay green. Our garages stay cluttered. Our homes? Prime nesting territory.

And if you’ve got bird feeders, irrigation, mulch beds, or woodpiles stacked near your house… you’re rolling out the welcome mat.

The Integrated Approach That Actually Works

At ATCO Pest Control, we use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. What does that mean for you?

It means we don’t just throw down traps and call it a day. We look at:

• Entry points

• Food and water sources

• Nesting spots

• Soil and lawn health

• Long-term prevention

Then we create a plan that’s tailored to your home, your property, and the specific critters causing problems.

Check out our Complete Pest Control services for a deeper look at how we handle things.

What You Can Do Right Now

Before calling us in, there are a few things you can do to cut down on activity:

For Rodents:

• Seal gaps around doors, vents, pipes

• Store food in containers (no open bags or boxes)

• Trim back shrubs and trees touching the house

• Clean up pet food and bird seed daily

For Moles and Voles:

• Cut back excessive irrigation

• Keep mulch and ground cover trimmed low

• Avoid piling compost or yard waste near buildings

• Install underground barriers for prized garden beds

Still seeing signs? Get in touch with us—we’ll take it from there.

FAQs: Rodents, Moles & Voles

Q: What’s the difference between a mole and a vole?
Moles dig deeper and eat insects. Voles chew plants and roots. One destroys lawns, the other kills your landscaping.

Q: Do traps work for moles and voles?
They can, but placement matters. If you’re not familiar with tunneling patterns, it’s easy to waste time and effort. We use targeted trapping and habitat correction as part of our strategy.

Q: How soon can you come out?
We’re often available within a day or two—sometimes same-day. Our team services the entire Bay Area.

Q: Do you use eco-conscious solutions?
Yes. IPM is all about using the least disruptive method possible. That might mean exclusion work, habitat changes, targeted traps, or low-impact bait stations depending on the situation.

You Don’t Have to Live With It

Rodents chewing wires, moles tearing up lawns, voles destroying your garden—it doesn’t have to be this way.

We’ve helped homeowners from Richmond to Union City, and from Berkeley to Novato, get their properties back. Whether it’s your attic or your flower bed, we’ll figure out what’s going on and fix it.

👷‍♂️ Want to stop the scurrying and the digging?
👉 Schedule your inspection today
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This is your home—we’re here to help you keep it that way!