Voles are common small rodents often confused with mice or moles due to similar appearances and habits. A frequent question arises regarding their ability to climb, as many rodents are adept at scaling various surfaces. This article clarifies their climbing capabilities and how this behavior influences interactions with human spaces.
Vole Characteristics and Typical Habitat
Voles are small, stout-bodied rodents, 5 to 8 inches long, including their short, furred tails. They possess small eyes and ears often partially hidden by their coarse, blackish-brown to grayish-brown fur. These animals are primarily ground-dwellers and burrowers, creating extensive networks of tunnels and runways beneath vegetation. They prefer habitats with dense ground cover, such as grasslands, meadows, woodlands, and agricultural areas, which provide both protection and food. Voles are mostly herbivorous, with their diet consisting of various plant materials like grasses, roots, seeds, bulbs, and tree bark.
Understanding Vole Climbing Abilities
While primarily ground-dwelling burrowers, voles have a limited capacity for climbing. They are not as agile as mice, rats, or squirrels, known for their climbing prowess. Voles generally struggle with smooth, vertical surfaces, but they can ascend rough or textured materials such as tree bark, shrub stems, or loose stone walls. This climbing behavior is often motivated by foraging for food, especially in winter when ground-level food sources are scarce, or to escape predators. In most common species, climbing is not a primary mode of movement, and they remain close to the ground, relying on their elaborate tunnel systems.
Preventing Vole Access to Protected Areas
Given their limited climbing abilities and preference for ground-level activity, several strategies can prevent voles from accessing vulnerable areas. Installing physical barriers made of hardware cloth is an effective method. For garden beds or young trees, barriers should be buried 6 to 10 inches below the soil with an L-shaped outward bend to deter burrowing, and extend 6 to 12 inches above ground to prevent climbing. For protecting individual trees, tree guards made of metal, wire mesh, or plastic can be placed around the lower trunk, ensuring they are buried a few inches into the soil. Clear spaces around garden areas and tree bases, free of dense vegetation or mulch, also make the environment less appealing to voles by removing their protective cover.