Voles (also known as meadow mice) are small rodents with small eyes and short tails. There are many different species of voles, but the most common vole in North America is the meadow vole. Other common types of voles include the prairie vole, the mountain vole, and the field vole. Voles range in size from four to eight inches long and can be brown, grey, or black in color.
Voles typically live in fields, meadows, and forests. However, they can also make their home in your yard – especially if there is a lot of vegetation. If you have a vole problem, you may find their runways and burrows in your lawn, garden, or flower beds. If you have vole damage in your yard, it’s important to take action to repair the damage and get rid of the voles.
Small Rodents = Big Problem
Vole tunnels are a problem. By burrowing through the soil, voles can create raised tunnels or “vole runways” in your yard. These runways can damage the roots of your grass, young trees, and other plants, making it difficult for them to grow. If the roots of your grass are damaged, it will be more difficult for your lawn to recover. In some cases, vole damage can even kill your grass. Surface runways left by voles can also be dangerous, as they can create trip hazards in your yard. Voles also eat the stems to plant, leaving gnaw marks behind. This damage can stunt the growth of your plants and make them more susceptible to disease.
Vole tunnels are a problem. By burrowing through the soil, voles can create raised tunnels or “vole runways” in your yard. These runways can damage the roots of your grass, young trees, and other plants, making it difficult for them to grow. If the roots of your grass are damaged, it will be more difficult for your lawn to recover. In some cases, vole damage can even kill your grass. Surface runways left by voles can also be dangerous, as they can create trip hazards in your yard. Voles also eat the stems to plant, leaving gnaw marks behind. This damage can stunt the growth of your plants and make them more susceptible to disease.
How Homeowners Can Repair the Damage Caused By Vole Holes
If you are repairing your lawn from a vole infestation, there are a few different steps to take:
- Rake and Remove Debris: To repair vole damage, start by raking up any dead grass and removing any debris. This will help improve the drainage in your lawn and make it easier for new grass to grow.
- Aerate Your Lawn: Next, aerate the affected areas to help the roots grow. You may also need to reseed bare patches of grass.
- Apply Fertilizer: Once you’ve aerated and reseeded your lawn, apply fertilizer and water regularly to help the new grass grow.
- Condition Your Soil: Finally, use a soil conditioner to help the soil hold water and nutrients. This will give your new grass a fighting chance to grow and thrive.
Vole Control
Once you’ve repaired the damage, it’s time to get rid of the voles for good. There are many control methods to utilize to vole-proof your yard.
Fencing: One way to keep voles out of your yard is to install a vole-proof fence. This can be a challenge, as voles are small and can fit through small openings. To vole-proof, your fence, make sure there are no gaps larger than 1/4 inch.
Repellents: There are also many vole repellents available on the market. Repellents work by making your yard less attractive to voles. Some common vole repellents include ultrasonic devices, vole traps, and vole poison.
Bait Stations: Creating Snap traps are also an effective vole control method. Snap traps can be baited with oatmeal, peanut butter, or vole bait. Bait stations should be placed near burrow openings or runways.
Pesticides and Toxicants: Pesticides and toxicants can also be used to control voles. These products work by killing voles that come into contact with them. Pesticides and toxicants should only be used as a last resort, as they can be harmful to other animals and humans.
Vole Prevention
The best way to keep voles away is to make your yard less attractive to them. This means understanding vole activity and removing food sources and hiding places. Nesting sites for voles are typically at the base of trees or shrubs, in thick mulch, or in-ground cover. Remove these sites by trimming back vegetation and removing mulch and ground cover. Voles are also attracted to food sources such as nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Remove these food sources by cleaning up fallen fruit and debris from your yard. Finally, keep vole populations low by reducing their food sources. This means mowing your lawn regularly and removing weeds and brush from your property. Voles are also attracted to standing water, so make sure to remove any sources of standing water from your yard.
Protect Your Lawn From Voles with Green Group
Green Group provides various lawn care services to help prevent vole damage and keep your lawn looking its best. These services include aeration and fertilization. Our team of lawn care experts can also help your yard recover from coke damage that has already occurred. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a free consultation.
