Vole Damage

Missing bark at the base of trees and shrubs, damaged perennial roots, and trails in the lawn are sure signs that voles have been at work.

These small mammals thrive in grassy fields and feed on seeds, bark, bulbs, and fleshy roots of plants. Preventing damage is the best strategy for keeping your landscape looking its best.

Invite nature’s pest controllers into your landscape. Hawks, owls, and fox will help keep vole populations under control.

Use cylinders of hardware cloth around young trees and shrubs. Sink it several inches in the soil to reduce the risk of vole damage.

Some gardeners use snap traps baited with peanut butter and oats to control these pests. Tuck the traps into PVC pipe or under cover so birds, kids and desirable wildlife are not injured or killed. But first, check with your local municipality on regulations for controlling wildlife in your community.

Repair lawn damage by seeding damaged areas in the spring.

A bit more information: You may want to consider a natural vole and mole repellent. Use to prevent chewing, digging, foraging, and tunneling damage to lawns and gardens.