Voles, often mistaken for field mice due to their habitat preference, are small rodents that can wreak havoc on gardens and landscapes. Distinguished by their hair-covered tails, rounder heads, smaller ears, and stockier bodies, voles are prolific breeders, capable of producing over 100 offspring per year from just one pair. This guide will help you identify, control, and prevent vole infestations.
Vole vs. Mole: Understanding the Difference
While both voles and moles can disrupt your yard with their digging activities, they are distinct creatures. Moles are small, insectivorous mammals with large feet and claws designed for tunneling. They have pointed snouts and nearly invisible eyes and ears, spending most of their lives underground feeding on earthworms, grubs, and other soil-dwelling organisms. Moles damage lawns through their extensive tunnel systems.
Voles, on the other hand, are herbivores, primarily consuming plants, tubers, bulbs, and even the bark and roots of trees. Their feeding habits leave behind noticeable damage to vegetation, including wilted plants and gnaw marks on tree trunks.
Vole Diet: What Do They Eat?
Voles primarily feed on vegetation, favoring a diet of plants, tubers, bulbs, roots, and tree bark. They can decimate gardens, leaving behind damaged or dying plants. While their preference is for plant matter, voles are opportunistic and may consume dead rodents if their preferred food sources are scarce.
Effective Vole Control Strategies
Eliminating voles requires a multi-pronged approach. Here are five effective strategies to manage vole populations:
Habitat Modification
Voles thrive in environments that offer protection from predators. Eliminate dense ground cover, keep lawns mowed short, apply a thin layer of mulch around trees and shrubs, and remove snow promptly. These practices reduce hiding places and make voles more vulnerable to predators.
Tree Protection
Young trees are particularly susceptible to vole damage. Protect them by wrapping the lower trunk with a wire mesh or plastic tubing guard. This prevents voles from gnawing on the bark, which can girdle and kill young trees. During winter, replace these guards with tree wrap to protect against frost damage.
Natural Repellents
Deter voles with natural repellents like castor oil, sprinkled around your landscaping. A mixture of chopped hot peppers, water, and biodegradable dish soap can also be sprayed on vole hotspots. The capsaicin in peppers creates an unpleasant taste and smell that discourages voles. Solar-powered ultrasonic deterrents can also be effective.
Live Trapping
Live traps offer a humane method for removing individual voles or managing small infestations. Bait the traps with apple slices or peanut butter and place them near active runways. Relocate captured voles far from your property to prevent their return. Always wear gloves when handling traps and clean them thoroughly after each use. However, live trapping might not be sufficient for large infestations.
Professional Pest Control
For persistent or severe vole infestations, consult a professional pest management company specializing in rodent control. They possess the expertise and resources to assess the situation and implement targeted treatment strategies.
Preventing Vole Infestations
Proactive measures can prevent voles from establishing themselves in your garden. The repellents mentioned earlier also serve as deterrents. Additionally, physical barriers like steel mesh fencing, approximately one foot high, can effectively exclude voles, as they are poor climbers. Encourage natural predators like owls by installing nesting boxes. Coyote urine, available commercially, can be sprayed around the perimeter of your yard as a natural repellent.
Are Voles Dangerous?
While not aggressive, voles can pose health risks similar to mice and rats. They can carry diseases transmissible through their urine and feces and introduce parasites into your yard. Their presence also leads to unsightly damage to lawns and gardens.
Conclusion
Voles, though small, can cause significant damage to your landscape. By understanding their behavior and implementing effective control and prevention strategies, you can protect your garden from these destructive pests. For severe infestations, professional pest control services offer the most efficient solution. Don’t let voles take over your yard – take action today!