Bat, Mole, and Wildlife Questions
The Des Moines Home & Garden Show was a great weekend for Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions. We had steady traffic at the booth, but the real value came from the conversations. Homeowners showed up with real concerns about their lawns, attics, and foundations — and a few misconceptions we were glad to clear up.
The number one lawn question? Moles.
People asked:
• What can you actually do for moles?
• What’s the difference between a mole and a vole?
• Why do they keep coming back?
There’s still a lot of confusion between moles and voles. Moles create raised tunnels and volcano-shaped mounds while hunting insects underground. Voles create shallow surface runways and chew on roots and plants. The damage can look similar at first, but the solution is completely different.
Many homeowners were surprised to learn about CO₂-based mole control and how it can work more efficiently than relying on bait or random traps. For families who have battled lawn damage year after year, this was a major eye-opener.
On the wildlife side, bats dominated the conversation.
Common questions included:
• How do you get rid of bats?
• Can you kill bats?
• Why are bats protected?
• When can you bat-proof a home?
Many people believe that if a house is older, it will always have bats. That’s not true. Any home — no matter its age — can be properly sealed and professionally excluded. The key is identifying and closing every potential entry point.
Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions typically provides a first-year warranty on completed bat exclusions. Homeowners who continue with a regular pest control program can also maintain ongoing protection to help keep that barrier intact.
Another misconception is that bat removal means killing bats. It does not. Bats are protected for good reason and play an important role in our ecosystem. Humane bat exclusion allows them to leave safely without harm. When bats enter living spaces, removal is handled carefully, and full exclusions are timed appropriately around maternity season.
Some conversations at the show were surprising. A few attendees mentioned shooting raccoons or setting traps without fully understanding local regulations. One person even shared that he fired a shotgun at a bat inside his home and damaged the wall.
These moments reinforce why professional guidance matters. Wildlife removal is regulated. Timing matters. Safety matters. Improper handling can lead to legal issues, safety risks, and unnecessary damage.
Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions uses monitored traps and camera systems to ensure animals are not left unattended. Humane removal and awareness of local laws help protect homeowners, pets, neighbors, and wildlife.
Seasonal pest activity in Des Moines is already starting.
Right now, homeowners are seeing:
• Mole tunneling as soil begins to thaw
• Vole runways in damaged turf
• Rodents in garages and sheds
• Occasional bat movement during warmer days
Over the next 30 to 60 days, activity will increase. Expect:
• More mole and vole damage
• Ants beginning to forage
• Wasps scouting for nesting sites
• Wildlife testing rooflines, vents, and soffits
• Termite swarmers later this spring
The questions at the show reflected this shift. Homeowners are thinking ahead — especially about burrowing animals and attic activity — before spring fully arrives.
What stood out most was that people want accurate information. They want solutions that are effective, safe for pets and children, and compliant with local laws.
Professional pest control today is about:
• Identifying the correct pest
• Using targeted, humane methods
• Timing treatments properly
• Preventing recurring problems through exclusion and habitat management
When homeowners understand the difference between a mole and a vole, or how humane bat exclusion works, they feel informed instead of frustrated.
If you’re seeing lawn tunnels, attic scratching, bats around your roofline, or early insect activity, now is the time to act before spring makes the problem worse.
Contact Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions for your bats, burrowers, and bug needs. From humane bat exclusion to mole control — and from raccoons and squirrels to birds and other wildlife — our team provides safe, professional, and responsible solutions across Central Iowa.