The voles burrow system may house many voles and is used for protection, food storage, and nesting. Sometimes the vole will utilize a moles pre-existing tunnel system to reach sources of food. The image to the left shows a shallow burrow with an obvious surface runway branching off. Voles feed on a variety of grasses, plants, bulbs, bark and roots (even tree roots). The gnawing may do damage to the plant and cause die-back, typical tree damage may exhibit poor fruit yields, yellowing of leaves and an overall weakening of the plant (which may be mistaken for salt damage).

Although voles trail through tunnel systems which may measure up to 100 square feet, the damage they do to the turf is rarely severe and permanent. Every couple of years, voles will have a 'population boom' in which their residential growth may reach upward of 200+. Within a season or two, the populous will return to normal size and damage will become less evident as it does.

Control Methods:
Habitat control is the best way to deter these animals from making home on your property. Keeping the lawn mowed on a regular basis, controlling weeds and keeping food sources scarce will usually control the population.

Hardware cloth can be 'fenced' around valued plants and trees, only needing to go down a depth of 6 inches from the soil line and above by 12 - 18". This will help to deter other animals such as rabbits and skunks.

Protecting your trees: Wrapping the trunk of your trees or shrubs with hardware cloth or plastic cylinders will help to keep voles from munching on the lower branches and gnawing on the bark.

Plants can be sprayed with a mixture of hot sauce and water. The drawback of this methods is the application needs to be made frequently as water and time will dilute the scent and therefore will not be a deterrent any longer.

Trapping: Mouse traps with peanut butter and oatmeal as bait may be used. Place the traps near the voles surface runway and check back often to clean or release the trap.