Vole damage, often mistaken for field mice activity, occurs primarily during cooler months or under snow cover. These herbivores feed on grass blades, roots, and the bark of young trees. While the damage is usually superficial to the underlying structure, prompt action is necessary to prevent permanent turf loss and restore the landscape’s uniform appearance. Repair involves identifying the pest, immediately fixing the physical damage to the soil, and focusing on long-term turf restoration and prevention.
Identifying Vole Damage vs. Other Common Pests
Vole damage is distinctly recognizable by shallow, interlacing trails, known as runways, that crisscross the lawn surface. These paths are typically one to two inches wide, created as voles clip the grass and chew roots while traveling under cover. Small, clean-cut burrow entry holes, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, may be found at the end of these runways, leading to nesting areas just below the surface. Unlike voles, moles create raised ridges or volcano-shaped mounds of soil because they are insectivores that tunnel extensively underground for grubs. Mole tunnels are deeper and disrupt the soil structure, while voles remain closer to the surface, consuming plant material. If the damage includes irregular patches of brown or dead grass where roots have been severed, but no soil mounds or raised ridges are present, the culprit is likely the vole.
Immediate Repair of Tunnels and Runways
Restoration begins by physically collapsing and leveling the distinctive vole runways to prepare the soil for new growth. Gently rake the affected areas to remove dead, matted grass, thatch, and debris. This clears the surface and promotes better air circulation and soil contact for seeding. Fill the shallow paths and entry holes with a quality topsoil mix or a blend of soil and compost to replenish nutrients and create a fertile foundation for regrowth.
After adding the soil, lightly press down on the filled runways using your foot or a lightweight roller. This gentle tamping eliminates air pockets and levels the surface, preventing uneven settling or puddling after watering. Avoid heavy compaction, which would hinder root penetration and seed germination. This immediate action restores the physical structure of the ground, creating a smooth, even surface ready for horticultural treatments.
Restoring Turf and Reseeding Damaged Areas
With the runways leveled, the focus shifts to revitalizing the turf through targeted reseeding and soil amendment. Lightly rake the repaired areas again to create shallow grooves in the top quarter-inch of soil, improving seed-to-soil contact. Apply a starter fertilizer rich in phosphorus, which supports vigorous root growth in new seedlings. Spread the chosen grass seed evenly across the damaged areas at the recommended rate for overseeding.
The grass seed selection should precisely match the existing lawn type to ensure a uniform appearance upon regrowth. After seeding, lightly rake the area one final time to cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil or compost. This covering helps retain moisture and protects the seeds from being washed away. Consistent moisture is necessary for successful germination, requiring light watering once or twice daily to keep the top inch of soil damp but not saturated. The optimal time for reseeding is typically early fall or early spring, as moderate temperatures encourage rapid establishment.
Long-Term Vole Control and Prevention
Preventing the return of voles relies on modifying the landscape to eliminate the protective cover they require for travel and nesting. Voles thrive in areas with dense ground cover, so maintaining a short lawn and removing piles of leaves, grass clippings, and brush makes the area less appealing. Create a mulch-free zone, approximately three feet wide, around the base of trees and shrubs, as heavy mulch provides ideal winter habitat. For vulnerable garden plants and young trees, installing physical barriers offers reliable protection against gnawing damage.
Cylinders made of hardware cloth with a mesh size of one-quarter inch or smaller should be placed around tree trunks, extending a few inches into the soil to prevent burrowing. For existing populations, targeted control can be implemented using standard mouse snap traps, which are effective against voles. Place these traps perpendicular to active runways, bait them with peanut butter or apple slices, and cover them with a board to protect non-target animals. Commercial repellents, often containing castor oil, can also be applied to the lawn; these work by making the grass roots and soil unpalatable, encouraging the voles to relocate.