Knowledgebase

Mounds of soil remain after snow melt? #926284

Asked March 19, 2026, 9:50 AM EDT

Hi, I've lived at the same address in Hampton for 45 years. After this winter's snow melt, I'm seeing puffs or small mounds of topsoil near my flower bed. I've attached a photo. My neighbor thinks they're caused by moles. Nearby is a spring bulb flower bed along with my sunflower garden. Curious on UNH's thoughts? Mole(s?). The photo shows a small circular arch where it looks like a critter made it. Anyway, thanks in advance for your help. Can't wait till the soil temperature reaches 50 degrees ;-)

Rockingham County New Hampshire

Expert Response

Hi Larry,

Thanks for contacting UNH Extension and for the photo's of damage in your lawn.  Unfortunately, rodents can be a huge nuisance and when you might not have had much damage in past years, their populations fluctuate a lot. 

It's hard to know for sure whether it is moles or voles; both do damage and leave tunnels behind.  I'm attaching some articles and fact sheets experts at UNH have created and hope they help.  

https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2018/03/mole-or-vole

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/moles/

https://cceputnamcounty.org/resources/vexing-voles

A bit more technical and for commercial growers, this one might still give you some helpful tips   https://extension.unh.edu/sites/default/files/migrated_unmanaged_files/Resource003424_Rep4893.pdf

Enjoy the growing season when it gets here,

Catherine

Thank you for contacting the Infoline, a service of UNH Cooperative Extension. Replied March 19, 2026, 10:10 AM EDT

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