Voles are small rodents, often mistaken for mice or moles, that cause extensive damage to lawns and gardens by feeding on plant roots and gnawing on bark. These prolific pests, also known as meadow or field mice, are active year-round, posing a constant threat to landscaping and young trees. Effective control relies on a strategic, multi-faceted approach that combines identification, habitat modification, deterrence, and, when necessary, active removal. Understanding their habits and implementing tailored prevention methods is the first step toward protecting your property.
Identifying Voles and Assessing Damage
Confirming a vole infestation starts with recognizing their unique signs, which differ significantly from other common garden pests. The most obvious indicator of activity is the presence of surface runways, which are narrow, well-defined paths about one to two inches wide, carved through the grass or dense ground cover. Voles clip the vegetation to keep these paths clear for travel between their feeding areas and small, neat burrow openings, typically one to two inches in diameter.
Vole damage is characterized by irregular gnaw marks, often found close to the ground on the bark of young trees and shrubs, or just below the soil line on bulbs. These non-uniform marks measure approximately 1/16 to 1/8-inch wide, distinguishing them from the larger marks left by rabbits. In contrast, a mole problem is identifiable by raised, ridged tunnels and conical mounds of soil, as moles are insectivores that do not feed on vegetation. If a plant can be easily lifted from the ground, it often signals that voles have consumed its root system or girdled the trunk just beneath the surface.
Exclusionary Barriers and Habitat Modification
Making the environment inhospitable through physical barriers and landscape alterations is an effective long-term control strategy. Voles rely heavily on cover to hide from predators, so removing dense ground cover and keeping lawns closely mowed significantly reduces their security. Clear a buffer zone of at least three feet around the base of trees and shrubs to expose the voles to open space, as mulch provides excellent shelter. Removing debris, woodpiles, and fallen fruit also eliminates hiding spots and food sources.
To protect vulnerable plants, physical barriers offer a reliable defense against gnawing and burrowing. Tree trunks and shrubs can be protected with cylinders made from galvanized hardware cloth, using a mesh size no larger than 1/4 or 1/2 inch. These cylinders must extend at least 2 to 6 inches below the soil line and reach 12 to 48 inches above ground, accounting for potential snow cover. For garden beds, a similar hardware cloth barrier can be buried vertically around the perimeter, extending 6 to 10 inches deep, often with an outward L-shaped bend at the bottom to stop tunneling.
Non-Lethal Deterrents and Repellents
When physical exclusion is impractical for large areas, non-lethal repellents can be used to create a sensory barrier that encourages voles to move elsewhere. Commercial and do-it-yourself repellents rely on active ingredients that target the vole’s sense of taste and smell. Castor oil is a common component in these products, as it taints the taste of underground food sources like roots and bulbs, forcing voles to seek sustenance in untreated locations. Capsaicin, the compound found in hot peppers, is also used to irritate their sensitive mucous membranes.
These repellents are available as liquid concentrates that can be sprayed over a wide area, or as granular products applied directly to runways and burrow entrances. For liquids, a small amount of dish soap is often added as an emulsifier, helping the oil spread and penetrate the soil more effectively. Granular applications should be lightly watered in after spreading to ensure the active ingredients reach the root zone where voles feed. Since repellents only deter, they require reapplication, typically every 30 to 90 days, or following heavy rainfall, to maintain efficacy. Other deterrents, such as predator urine or strong-smelling plants like daffodils, are sometimes used, but their effect is often temporary.
Effective Trapping and Removal Methods
For severe or concentrated infestations, active trapping and removal may be necessary to reduce the population quickly. Mouse-sized snap traps are considered the most effective tool for this purpose. These traps should be placed directly into active vole runways, positioned perpendicular to the path so the vole is forced to cross the trigger plate. While voles often trigger the traps without bait due to their habitual use of runways, a small amount of bait can increase success, such as apple slices, a mixture of peanut butter and oatmeal, or sunflower seeds.
To protect pets, children, and non-target wildlife, traps must be covered with an inverted pan, a wooden box, or a length of PVC pipe. It is helpful to use multiple traps, with a density of about one trap per 100 square feet in a concentrated area. Traps should be checked at least twice a day for maximum effectiveness. Always wear gloves when handling captured voles to avoid contact with potential diseases. Dead voles should be double-bagged and sealed before disposal in an outdoor trash container.