Have you ever encountered small, furry creatures darting around your property and wondered what they are? Meet the vole, a common rodent often mistaken for its cousin, the mouse. While they may appear harmless, they can cause considerable damage to lawns, gardens, and outdoor spaces, which is why, in this article, we’ll explain how to get rid of voles.
There are several proven methods to consider. From repellents that can deter voles from taking up residence in your home to traps for capturing and removing them, each method has its own set of advantages. In the following sections, we’ll explore these solutions in detail.
What is a Vole?
Often mistaken for their more familiar relative, the mouse, voles are small rodents also known as meadow mice or field mice. They have a relatively short lifespan, living between just a few months to two years in the wild. These rodents can quickly turn a healthy, vibrant outdoor space into their feeding ground, causing noticeable damage in the process.
- What does a vole look like? Voles have short tails, round ears, and a stocky body build. They range in size from 3 to 9 inches and are covered in thick, dense fur, an adaptation to their various habitats.
- What do voles eat? Voles’ diet primarily consists of a variety of plants and grasses, making them particularly troublesome for lawns and gardens.
- Are voles the same as moles? No, they are not. Moles are nocturnal mammals that prefer a diet rich in insects, earthworms, and grubs. They are characterized by small eyes and ears but notably large front paws adapted for digging.
How to Get Rid of Voles
1. Use Vole Repellents
If you were wondering how to get rid of voles naturally, using repellents is one of the most effective ways to do so. Repellents work by creating an unpleasant environment for the voles, encouraging them to find more hospitable areas.
There are various pre-made repellents available on the market, but you also have the option of creating DIY solutions. Some commonly used repellent substances include:
- Thiram: A fungicide that can double as a repellent when applied around plants.
- Predator urine: Scents like coyote or fox urine can be effective in simulating the presence of a predator, thereby scaring voles away. Buy these from hunting supply stores.
- Garlic-based sprays: The strong odor of garlic can act as a natural deterrent. Mix a few crushed garlic cloves in boiling water for 30 minutes, strain it, and spray the mixture over the affected areas.
- Hot pepper spray (capsaicin): The spicy nature of capsaicin makes it an unwelcoming substance for voles. Mix hot pepper flakes with water, let it steep overnight, strain it, and spray around your yard.
- Castor oil spray: Known for its effectiveness, castor oil can be mixed with water and sprayed over affected areas.
Note that vole repellents need to be reapplied regularly to maintain their effectiveness. Additionally, voles may become accustomed to the smell of a particular repellent over time, so alternating between different types can be more effective.
Warning: Exercise caution when using certain substances, especially around vegetable gardens. Some repellents may not be suitable for use on edible plants, so always check the product labels or consult with a professional.
2. Place Live Traps
Another humane method for vole control is the use of live traps. Live trapping involves capturing the voles without harming them and then relocating them to a more appropriate environment. Here’s how to do it:
- Prefer traps with two openings, as they seem less threatening to voles, encouraging them to enter.
- Bait the traps with oatmeal or peanut butter.
- Position the traps directly in the voles’ path or outside vole holes.
- Check the traps frequently once they are set.
- Move the captured voles to at least 5 miles away from your home.
Warning: Many areas have specific rules regarding the relocation of pest rodents, so it’s important to check with local wildlife authorities or pest control services to ensure compliance with these regulations before moving the voles.
3. Set Kill Traps
If moving voles to another location is out of the question, and you want to know how to kill voles, setting kill traps can do the trick. Mouse traps are commonly used for this purpose, as they are readily available and easy to set up.
- Position the traps perpendicular to vole runways or in areas where voles are frequently observed.
- It’s advisable to place the traps at intervals of about 10 feet.
- Similar to live traps, baits like oatmeal or peanut butter can be used.
- To prevent the trap from being dragged away or overturned, you can secure it in place with a 6-inch nail through the trap to anchor it into the soil.
- Regularly check the traps to dispose of any captured voles and reset the traps as needed.
Take a look at this video by Grass Pad to know how to place traps:
4. Create Physical Barriers
Creating physical barriers is an effective way to prevent voles from accessing specific areas, especially since voles are not adept climbers. Properly installed barriers can protect valuable plants, trees, and garden areas from vole damage.
- Tree guards: Bury the bottom of the guard at least 6 inches below the soil surface to prevent voles from burrowing underneath. This barrier protects the tree trunk from being gnawed on, which can be particularly important in winter when food is scarce and voles are more likely to chew on bark.
- Wire fencing: For broader protection, such as in vegetable gardens, choose wire fencing with a mesh size of 1/4 inch or smaller to prevent voles from squeezing through. Ensure that the fencing extends at least 12 inches above the ground and bury it 6 to 10 inches below the soil to deter vole tunnels.
- Gravel: By placing a layer of gravel around flower beds or where bulbs are planted, you create a physical barrier that discourages voles from digging. The gravel also acts as mulch for the plants.
Pro Tip: Often, using barriers in addition to traps and repellents is more effective in keeping voles from returning to an area than any single method alone.
5. Encourage Predators
Attracting natural predators to your property is an eco-friendly and sustainable way to control vole populations. Birds of prey, such as owls and hawks, are natural predators of voles and can significantly help in reducing their numbers.
One of the most effective ways to encourage birds of prey to visit your backyard is by installing perch poles. These poles provide a high vantage point for owls and hawks, allowing them to easily spot and hunt voles. The presence of these birds in your garden can act as a natural deterrent to voles.
Pro tip: Choose a location that gives a clear view of the surrounding area. It should be placed away from dense foliage or tall structures that could obstruct the birds’ view.
6. Change Voles’ Habitat
Modifying the habitat in your yard can be a highly effective method for preventing vole infestations without the need for chemicals and traps. This approach, known as integrated pest management, focuses on making your outdoor environment less appealing to voles. Here’s what to do:
- Maintain your lawn: Regularly mow your lawn since tall grasses provide ideal hiding and nesting spots for voles.
- Prune shrubs: Overgrown shrubs can also serve as a hiding spot for voles.
- Clear debris: Accumulation of leaves, fallen branches, and other garden debris creates perfect habitats for voles. Regularly cleaning your yard to remove such debris will make it less inviting.
- Mulch carefully: While mulch is beneficial for plants, thick layers of mulch near shrubs or trees can provide cover for voles. Try to avoid creating deep mulch layers, especially close to plants you want to protect.
- Avoid bird feeders: Be aware that spilled seeds can attract voles. Consider bird feeder placement or the type of feeder to minimize spillage or temporarily remove them if vole activity is high.
Integrated pest management focuses on creating an environment that is inherently less attractive to voles by removing the resources they need to thrive. This method is environmentally friendly and helps prevent voles from entering your yard in the first place, reducing the need for more direct control methods.
7. Plant Vole-Repelling Plants
Incorporating vole-repelling plants is a natural method to deter voles in the garden. While this strategy alone may not completely eradicate a vole problem, it can be an effective part of a broader integrated pest management approach.
Planting these vole-repellent species around the perimeter of your property or near areas you want to protect can help discourage voles from entering and settling in your yard. Some plants known for their vole-repelling properties include:
- Daffodils: Voles tend to avoid daffodils, making them a good choice for borders or as a protective barrier around gardens.
- Fritillaries: This flower is not only beautiful but also unappealing to voles, making it an excellent addition to your vole defense strategy.
- Alliums: The strong scent of alliums, which includes onions, garlic, and chives, is a known vole deterrent.
- Castor bean plants: While effective, it’s important to note that castor bean plants are toxic and should be used with caution, especially in gardens accessible to children and pets.
Vole Removal Methods to Avoid
While there are many effective strategies to control vole populations, there are also methods that are either ineffective or potentially harmful and, thus, should be avoided. Being aware of these can save time and money, and prevent unintentional harm to the environment and other wildlife.
- Poison baits: Although they might seem like a straightforward solution, poison baits can inadvertently harm non-target animals, including pets and beneficial wildlife that might ingest the poison.
- Burrow fumigation: Fumigating vole burrows might appear effective, but it has significant drawbacks. Vole burrows are shallow, and the fumigants often fail to stay in the ground long enough to be effective. This method can also be harmful to the surrounding environment and other non-target species.
- Flooding: Using water to flood vole burrows is generally not effective. Voles are capable of quickly relocating to other areas, making this method more of a temporary inconvenience rather than a solution. Additionally, excessive water can damage your lawn or garden.
- Electromagnetic or ultrasonic devices: These devices are marketed as a humane and easy way to repel voles and other pests. However, there is little evidence to support their effectiveness. Most studies indicate that ultrasonic pest control devices do not provide a significant degree of repellency and are not a reliable method for vole control.
How to Identify Vole Damage
Recognizing a vole infestation early is key to preventing extensive damage to your outdoor spaces. Vole activity tends to increase during winter, as the snow cover provides them with protection from predators and allows them to move freely underneath it. This makes winter a critical time to be vigilant for signs of voles.
Here are several telltale signs that indicate the presence of these pesky rodents:
- Runways: Voles create distinctive runways through grassy areas. These paths are about 2 inches wide and are often visible as clear lines through the grass.
- Burrows: Look for burrow entrances in the ground. These are typically about the size of a golf ball and can be found in lawns or near the base of trees.
- Gnaw marks on trees: Voles will gnaw on the bark of trees, especially during winter. These marks can often be found at the base of trees and can cause significant damage.
- Wilted or yellowish plants: If you notice plants in your garden suddenly wilting or turning yellow, it might be due to voles. They often chew on roots, affecting the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and water.
- Small feces: Vole droppings are another sign of their presence. They are small, pellet-like, and typically found near runways or feeding sites.
FAQ About Vole Extermination
What is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of Voles?
There isn’t a singular ‘fastest’ way to get rid of voles, as effective control often requires a combination of methods. A multi-faceted approach includes removing their food sources, such as plants and grasses, applying repellents, and using live traps.
However, in situations where the infestation is extensive, or if you’re looking for a swift resolution, hiring a professional rodent control service can be the quickest and most efficient way to deal with the problem.
Do Voles Come in the House?
Voles typically do not enter houses. They are primarily outdoor creatures and are not adept climbers, which makes it less likely for them to navigate into homes. If you do find a rodent in your house, it’s more likely to be a mouse or other type of indoor-seeking rodent.
Check our article on how to get rid of mice in your home to learn how to deal with them.
Are Voles Bad for Your Lawn?
Yes, having voles in your lawn can be detrimental. They are known for creating surface runways and excavating tunnels across lawns, which can disrupt the aesthetics and health of your grass. Additionally, voles tend to dig up and feed on the roots of grass and other plants, causing further damage.
A vole diet can also include flowers and garden crops, making them a concern for gardeners as well. Their presence and feeding activities can have a significant impact on the health and appearance of your lawn and garden areas.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Rid of Voles?
The cost to get rid of rodents, including voles, ranges between $245 and $430 when performed by a pest control professional. The cost will vary depending on the size of the infestation, your home’s size, and the method of extermination, among other factors.
When to Call a Professional
Dealing with a vole infestation can be a challenging task. While the methods discussed in this article, such as using repellents, setting traps, and modifying habitats, can be effective in managing and controlling vole populations, there are instances where these approaches might not suffice.
If you find that the vole infestation in your property is widespread and the damage being caused is extensive, it may be time to seek professional help. Let Pest Gnome connect you with a rodent control professional near you and get rid of your rodent problem.
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