Burrower Removal
Assisting businesses and residences with Mole, Vole, Gopher, Groundhog, and Ground Squirrel Removal
Professional, pet-safe burrower-removal for your lawn or garden
Why control burrowing pests? Underground pests such as moles, voles, gophers, and groundhogs are a growing concern for homeowners across the Des Moines metro. Their tunneling can destroy lawns and gardens and weaken the soil beneath patios, driveways, and even home foundations.
At Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions, we specialize in identifying and eliminating burrowing pests with humane, traditional, and chemical-free and pet-safe treatments that deliver lasting results without risking your family or the environment.
We remove the animals that cause
- Unsightly dirt mounds and raised ridges in lawns
- Uprooted plants, garden bed damage, and dying turf
- Hollow soil or sinking patches from tunneling
- Structural risks from soil erosion under patios or slabs
Moles
Moles are insectivores that dig deep networks of tunnels while searching for worms and grubs. Their activity appears as raised ridges and “volcano-style” mounds across the lawn. While they don’t eat plants, their tunneling uproots roots and ruins turf.
Signs: Soft, raised tunnels under grass, volcano-shaped mounds, uneven lawn texture.
Voles
Voles, also known as meadow mice, are small rodents that chew through roots and bark while creating shallow surface runways. Their runways are often visible between mulch or grass and can devastate gardens in a single season.
Signs: Shallow trails, gnawed vegetation, dead or wilted plants, small burrow holes.
Gophers
Gophers create crescent-shaped or fan-shaped mounds with plugged entrances and feed on roots, bulbs, and tubers. They are destructive to gardens and can kill shrubs, vegetables, and ornamental plants from below.
Signs: Large soil mounds with visible plugs, chewed plant roots, sudden plant death.
Groundhogs (Woodchucks)
Groundhogs dig extensive dens with large openings, often under decks, sheds, and foundations. They are excellent climbers and burrowers that can cause structural and lawn damage while raiding gardens. Groundhogs are actually large squirrels.
Signs: 6–8 inch wide burrow holes near structures, scattered soil piles, garden crops eaten at ground level.
What works – and what doesn’t – for homeowners:
And when to call a pest control professional for your burrower woes!
Ineffective or risky methods:
- Over-the-counter poisons or mothballs that can harm pets and miss the intended wildlife
- Sonic spikes or DIY deterrents with limited proven effectiveness
- Filling tunnels or holes with dirt without addressing active burrowers
- Ignoring small signs of digging that later lead to widespread damage
You should call a professional if you notice any of the following:
Persistent problems: DIY methods haven’t worked, and the moles keep coming back.
Widespread damage: Large sections of your lawn or landscape are being torn up or showing signs of serious damage.
Uncertain cause: You’re not sure if the problem is caused by moles or another pest—an expert can inspect and confirm the source.
Common signs of a mole infestation:
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Fresh dirt mounds (molehills)
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Raised ridges or tunnels running just beneath the surface
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Soft or spongy areas in your lawn
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Patches of dead or dying grass
A vole infestation can look similar to mole activity, but there are some key differences. Here is what to watch for:
Surface runways: Narrow, well-worn paths about 1–2 inches wide that crisscross your lawn or garden, often visible after snow melts.
Gnawed vegetation: Voles chew on the bark at the base of trees and shrubs, often leaving small tooth marks and a girdled (ringed) appearance around trunks.
Burrow openings: Small holes (about 1–2 inches wide) at the surface, usually without mounds of dirt like a molehill.
Damaged roots and bulbs: Plants may wilt, collapse, or easily pull from the ground because voles feed on roots and underground stems.
Sudden plant loss: Flower beds or garden patches may have missing or damaged plants seemingly overnight.
Gophers create a combination of these issues:
Signs of a gopher infestation are usually easy to spot once you know what to look for. Here are the most common indicators:
Fresh mounds of soil: Gophers push dirt out of their tunnels, creating fan- or crescent-shaped mounds with a plugged hole off to one side. These are often the first visible sign.
Tunnel systems: You may notice raised or sunken areas in your lawn from their underground tunnels, which can disrupt roots and create uneven ground.
Chewed or missing plants: Gophers feed on roots and stems. You might see plants suddenly wilt or disappear entirely, pulled down into the soil from below.
Soil plugs: Gophers seal the openings of their burrows with compacted soil to keep predators out—these plugged holes are a strong sign of active tunneling.
Damage to irrigation or utility lines: Because gophers chew constantly, they can gnaw through drip lines, cables, or underground pipes.
Our process for Des Moines homeowners
Inspection and Identification of moles, voles, gophers, and other burrowers
We carefully inspect your property to pinpoint tunnels, burrows, and activity patterns. We determine whether you’re dealing with moles, voles, gophers, groundhogs—or a combination.
Custom Treatment Plan
Implementation
Pet-Safe & Eco-Friendly Focus
Why homeowners in Des Moines choose Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions
Local Expertise: We are well-versed in Iowa’s soils, lawn types, and the burrowing pests that thrive in this region.
Comprehensive Service: We treat for moles, voles, gophers, and groundhogs, not just one species. While we are at your home, if you think you may have other pest or wildlife issues, we are happy to provide a comprehensive whole-home review, and if there are other issues, provide bundled pricing plans.
Humane, Pet-Safe Options: No poisons. No secondary wildlife deaths. Just fast, safe results.
Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and our positive reviews reflect our dedication to delivering lasting pest control solutions. We offer customized, year-round pest prevention plans that protect your home from recurring infestations. When you choose Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions, you’re choosing expert pest management that prioritizes safety, sustainability, and long-term results.
