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Pest Guides Lawn Care Guides

Voles Guide

Identify

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Prevent

Vole Identification Guide

What Is a Vole?

Voles are small rodents commonly found in fields and yards. Often referred to as field mice, meadow mice, or meadow moles, they create distinctive surface runways that signal their presence. While they share similarities with other small rodents like mice and moles, it's essential to correctly identify voles to effectively address infestations.

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Physical Description

(What Do Voles Look Like?)

Voles have unique features that differentiate them from other small rodents:

  • Size: Depending on the species, voles measure about 3–7 inches in length and weigh just a few ounces, making them similar in size to a mouse.
  • Ears and Eyes: Voles have small ears, tiny eyes, and short tails, distinguishing them from true mice.
  • Color: Their fur can range from brown to gray.

Vole Habits & Habitat

Active Year-Round
Voles are active throughout the year, during both day and night. They are often confused with moles because some species dig underground tunnel systems. However, unlike moles, voles spend much of their time above ground and primarily eat plants rather than insects.

Surface Runways
Voles create and maintain visible runways in grass, keeping these pathways neatly trimmed. These runways are a key indicator of vole activity.

Use of Mole Tunnels
Occasionally, voles will inhabit mole tunnel systems to feed on underground plant structures. However, they are more frequently seen above ground, making their presence easier to detect.

Vole Inspection Guide

Recognizing Vole Presence

Voles leave distinct signs of their activity, primarily through their surface runways. Learning how to identify vole runways, tunnels, and damage can help you inspect your yard effectively for these pests.

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Step1 Identifying Surface Runways & Tunnels

Surface runways are one of the clearest indicators of vole activity:

  • Runway Characteristics: Vole runways are found on the soil surface, often in grassy areas.
  • Clear Paths: Voles keep their frequently used runways clear by clipping grass or vegetation close to the ground. The surrounding taller grass provides shelter for the runways.
  • Size: These runways are approximately 1.5 inches wide.
  • Burrow Openings: Voles also create underground burrow systems, marked by small mounds of dirt at the entrances.

Runway systems are especially noticeable in the spring after snow melts. During winter, snow provides additional shelter, allowing voles to expand into more open areas of your yard. After the snow melts, the crisscrossing paths they’ve created become highly visible.

How to Confirm Active Runways:
To determine if voles are currently active or which runways are in use, look for:

  • Droppings along the runway.
  • A lack of vegetation or roots in the middle of the path.
  • Freshly cut or clipped grass in and around the runway.

Step2 Identifying Vole Damage

Voles primarily feed on grasses and roots, leading to various types of damage:

  • Turf & Landscape Plants: Feeding on roots can cause turf and plants to dry out, leaving visible signs of distress.
  • Gnawing Damage: During fall and winter, voles may gnaw on the bark of shrubs and trees, which can weaken or kill the plants.
  • Additional Signs: The presence of small burrow openings and surface runway systems can further indicate vole activity in your yard.

By recognizing these signs, you can confirm the presence of voles and take appropriate action to protect your lawn and landscape.

How to Get Rid of Voles

Effective Methods for Vole Control

Controlling voles can be challenging due to their widespread presence. The two primary methods for vole extermination are trapping and baiting. These techniques can significantly reduce vole populations, and we’re here to guide you through using vole traps and baits safely and effectively.

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Step1 Use Vole Traps

Vole traps, such as snap traps, offer an effective way to manage moderate vole populations:

  • Timing: Fall and winter are ideal times to begin trapping, as food sources become scarce, and populations can be reduced before the peak damage season.
  • Trap Selection: Use mouse-sized snap traps, and deploy enough traps to cover the area. Smaller areas may require around ten traps, while larger areas might need fifty or more.
  • Placement: Set traps along vole runways, near burrows, and around plants they frequent, like flowerbeds or shrubs.
  • Bait: Use apples or a mixture of peanut butter and oats to attract voles.
  • Orientation: Place traps perpendicular to vole runways for maximum effectiveness.
  • Monitoring: Check traps twice daily, once in the morning and again in the evening. Reset and re-bait traps as needed until vole activity ceases.
  • Safety Precautions: Cover traps with inverted boxes or pans to prevent accidental triggering by pets, children, or non-target animals.
  • Disposal: Handle dead voles with gloves and dispose of them in sealed plastic bags.

Products we recommend for Step 1

Step2 Use Toxic Baits

Toxic baits, or rodenticides, are an effective solution for controlling large vole populations. However, caution must be exercised to minimize risks to non-target animals and pets:

  • Product Compatibility: Rat and mouse baits can often work for voles, but always check the product label to ensure it’s approved for vole control.
  • Timing: Fall and winter are the most effective times for baiting, as voles are more likely to consume bait when natural food sources are scarce.
  • Bait Stations: Use tamper-resistant bait stations to protect pets, children, and non-target wildlife. Place stations near vole runways, burrow openings, and favored plants.
  • Maintenance: Check bait stations daily and replace bait as needed. Keep bait fresh for at least two weeks to ensure effectiveness.
  • Application: For loose or place-pack baits, follow the product label carefully and place the bait directly into vole burrows.
  • Safety: Always read product labels and follow all usage instructions and warnings. Wear gloves when handling bait and disposing of dead voles.

Products we recommend for Step 2

Vole Treatment Infographic

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Vole Prevention Guide

Steps to Prevent Voles

Although voles are a common yard pest, there are several straightforward steps you can take to discourage them from settling in your yard and prevent the potential damage they can cause to your plants and landscaping.

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Step1 General Yard Maintenance and Sanitation

Maintaining a clean and well-kept yard is one of the most effective ways to deter voles. Minimizing shelter options and eliminating food sources will make your property less appealing to these rodents. Here’s what you can do:

  • Regularly mow your lawn and keep the grass short.
  • Trim shrubs and bushes so they are raised above ground level.
  • Remove piles of wood, weeds, or other debris that may provide cover for voles.
  • Clean up birdseed that has accumulated on the ground or consider removing bird feeders altogether, as the seed can attract voles and other rodents.

Step2 Protect Trees to Prevent Damage

During the fall and winter months, when other food sources are scarce, voles can cause significant harm to trees and woody plants by gnawing on their bark. To safeguard your trees:

  • Wrap tree trunks in hardware cloth or wire mesh to create a protective barrier.
  • Use mesh that is at least 18 inches high to prevent voles from reaching the tree trunk.
  • Ensure there is enough space around the trunk to allow for several years of growth.

Step3 Use Repellents to Deter Voles

Vole repellents can create an unpleasant environment for these pests, reducing the likelihood of an infestation. These products are harmless to the animals but irritate their senses, making your yard less appealing. Here’s how to use them effectively:

  • Apply repellents before you notice a vole problem. Preventative applications are the most effective way to establish an unwelcoming environment.
  • Keep repellent products fresh by reapplying them regularly, typically every two weeks or after rainfall, as per the product label.
  • Choose from liquid or granular formulas, and carefully follow the product instructions for optimal results.
  • Combine repellents with other prevention methods, such as yard maintenance, to maximize their effectiveness.

Products we recommend for Step 3

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