Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Wire Mesh
Natural Repellent
Hardware Cloth Fencing
Owl Boxes
Commercial Organic Repellant
Sunflower Seeds

Identifying the Signs of Vole Damage

Identifying vole damage in the early stages can help to keep it in control. Here are some of the ways to identify it:

Surface Runways: Voles create well-defined paths through grass or soil that often lead to their burrow entrances.
Gnaw Marks: Looks for chewed plant stems, roots, and bark near the ground.
Burrow Entrances: Small holes that are about 1 inch in diameter may appear in lawns or garden beds.

What Attracts Voles to Your Yard

Once you are able to identify the signs of vole damage in your yard or garden, it’s also important to understand what attracts them. This can help you address the problem at the source.

Dense Vegetation: Excessive grass and weeds or dense ground cover can serve as a good shelter for voles.
Abundant Food Sources: If your yard is filled with a variety of plants, bulbs and fallen fruits, it can attract voles as they feed on these food sources.
Mild Climate: Voles thrive in areas with moderate temperatures and adequate moisture.

How to Get Rid of Voles in Your Garden or Yard

Let’s explore the different ways to manage or eliminate voles effectively:

Reduce the number of voles by taking a few steps to modify their habitat.

Regularly mow your lawn to a height of 2-3 inches with a lawn mower. This reduces the amount of ground cover voles typically need for shelter and movement.
Use hedge trimmers to trim back tall grasses, weeds and dense ground cover around garden beds and other areas.
Rake up and remove fallen leaves regularly. Leaf litter provides excellent nesting material and hiding spots for voles.
Regularly till garden beds using a garden hoe to disrupt vole tunnels and destroy their nests. This can be especially effective in the fall and spring when voles are actively building their burrows.

Alliums, garlic, onions and chives are disliked by voles, but just having these plants in your garden might not be enough to repel voles.
Commercial organic repellents, which contain more concentrated levels of capsaicin or castor oil, can irritate the voles' digestive systems and encourage them to leave.
Sprinkling fox or coyote urine around your yard mimics the presence of natural predators.

Caution

Always wear gloves and safety glasses when handling predator urine. It can have a strong odor and may irritate skin or eyes.

Use snap traps or live traps designed for small rodents.
Voles create well-defined runways through vegetation or under snow. You can spot them by their small size, short tails and the narrow paths they leave in grass or soil.
Place traps directly in these runways or at the entrance to burrows.
Voles have diverse diets. Experiment with different baits such as apple slices, sunflower seeds, carrots and many more to see what works best in your area.
Use small pieces of bait to avoid overwhelming the trap and to minimize the risk of non-target animals getting caught.
Check traps daily, especially during the active trapping period.
If you’re using snap traps, remove dead voles promptly to prevent attracting other animals. If you’re using live traps, relocate captured voles to a suitable release site at least 1 - 4 miles away from your property.
Lastly, clean the traps regularly to prevent the spread of disease.

Regularly inspect your yard for new tunnels or burrows. Look for narrow, shallow runways crisscrossing your lawn, small entry holes and gnawed plant roots or bark at ground level.
Keep grass trimmed and gardens well-maintained in the fall and spring when vole activity peaks.
Seal any small openings around your home’s foundation with copper mesh. For larger cracks and gaps, use a concrete patch to seal them securely.
Continue using natural deterrents to keep voles from returning.

Difference Between Voles and Moles

Voles and moles are often confused due to their similar names, but they differ in appearance and behavior:

Appearance: Voles resemble mice with stocky bodies, short legs, and short tails. Moles have cylindrical bodies, velvety fur, and long, spade-like front feet adapted for digging.
Habitat: Voles create shallow burrows and surface runways in lawns and gardens. Moles dig deeper tunnels and are primarily insectivores, feeding on insects and earthworms.
Damage: Voles gnaw on plant stems, roots, and bulbs, leading to plant damage. Moles can disrupt plant roots while tunnelling and may cause unsightly mounds in lawns.

Dealing with voles can be frustrating, but with the right approach, you can reclaim your garden and protect your plants. By understanding how to get rid of voles and implementing a combination of natural repellents, traps and habitat modifications, you can effectively manage and prevent infestations.

FAQ’s

1) Do voles come into the house?

Voles rarely enter houses as they prefer outdoor burrows. However, they may wander inside during extreme weather through gaps or cracks. Seal entry points and remove food sources to prevent them.

2) What are some effective vole repellents available at Lowe's?

Lowe's offers a variety of vole repellents, including natural options like castor oil-based products and commercial repellents containing capsaicin.

3) How can I tell if I have a vole infestation?

Look for surface runways, gnaw marks on plants, and small burrow entrances in your yard.

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Lawn & Garden