Tired of those pesky voles turning your beautiful yard into a maze of tunnels and chewed-up plants? Well, you’re not alone! Voles can be a real nuisance, but fear not, because there are a few simple yet effective strategies out there to bid these critters adieu.
What Are Voles?
Voles, often confused with mice, are small rodents that can become a serious nuisance in your yard or garden. These creatures are active diggers and herbivores, causing damage that’s often underestimated due to their size.
Voles are typically four to eight inches long with stout bodies, short tails, and small rounded ears. They come in shades of brown or gray and look quite similar to mice. However, their shorter tails and more robust build distinguish them.
Potential Damage to Your Yard
Voles may seem harmless, but they can wreak havoc in your yard or garden in several ways. Voles are skilled diggers, creating an intricate network of tunnels underground. These tunnels can weaken the soil structure and damage plant roots, causing plants to wither and die. Their burrowing activities, in addition to weakening soil, can lead to erosion problems. This might not only affect the stability of your yard but can also result in issues with water runoff.
Also, these rodents have a hearty appetite for grasses, plants, and tree bark. Their persistent nibbling can result in unsightly bald patches in your lawn and stripped bark on your trees and shrubs. This can ultimately harm the overall health and aesthetics of your yard.
Voles also reproduce rapidly. Females can give birth to multiple litters each year, which means a small vole problem can quickly turn into a major infestation. The more voles in your yard, the more extensive the damage they can cause.
Now that we have a more solid understanding of voles, let’s get into how to (humanely) get rid of voles in your yard.
1. Use Live Traps
Using live traps proves an efficient approach to get rid of voles in your yard. These traps offer a humane method to capture and remove these pesky rodents without relying on harmful chemicals or poisons.
Live traps target only voles, sparing other wildlife, pets, and beneficial garden insects from harm. They demonstrate a selective nature, ensuring unintended casualties are avoided.
Also, live traps offer a humane means of tackling vole infestations. Unlike lethal methods that can be inhumane, live traps permit voles to be captured without injury and subsequently released into a more suitable environment.
From an environmental standpoint, live trapping shines as an eco-friendly approach. It steers clear of toxic chemicals or poisons that may damage the ecosystem and harm other creatures.
To wield live traps effectively in your vole-removal endeavor, adhere to these key steps:
- Begin by selecting a live trap designed explicitly for small rodents like voles. These traps usually feature a one-way entry system to prevent escape.
- Identify active vole runways or burrow openings within your yard. Position the traps in proximity to these areas, ensuring they are anchored securely to the ground to forestall any escape attempts.
- Employ an enticing bait, such as peanut butter, seeds, or small fruit fragments, to lure voles into the trap. Position the bait towards the trap’s rear so that the vole must venture fully inside to access it.
- Monitor the traps consistently, conducting inspections at least once daily, ideally in the morning and evening. When a vole is captured, promptly release it to prevent stress or harm.
- For release, convey captured voles to an appropriate site at least a mile distant from your property. Ensure the release location offers ample sustenance and refuge for the vole to thrive.
2. Use Predator Urine
Predator urine can be a natural and effective way to get rid of voles and discourage them from invading your yard. These small, burrowing rodents can wreak havoc on your lawn and garden, but using predator urine can help keep them at bay without resorting to harmful chemicals.
To use predator urine, you’ll first need to purchase it from a reputable garden supply store or online retailer. Common predator urine options include fox urine, coyote urine, or even bobcat urine. These scents mimic the presence of a natural predator, which can make voles think twice about venturing into your yard.
Next, you’ll want to identify the areas where voles are causing the most damage. These are the spots where you should focus your application of predator urine. Simply spray or sprinkle the urine around these areas. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label for the recommended application rate.
It’s important to reapply the predator urine regularly, especially after heavy rain or watering, as the scent can wash away. This ongoing application will help maintain the illusion of a predator’s presence, discouraging voles from making themselves at home in your yard.
Also, consider rotating the type of predator urine you use every few weeks, as voles may become accustomed to a single scent over time. This variation can help maximize its effectiveness.
Foxes, coyotes (pictured), and bobcats are the vole’s most common predators.
©BGSmith/Shutterstock.com
3. Plant Mint Around Your Yard
Planting mint around your yard can be an effective and natural way to get rid of voles. Mint, known for its pleasant aroma and culinary uses, contains properties that voles find unappealing.
Mint, with its strong scent, can confuse and repel voles. These rodents have a keen sense of smell, and the pungent odor of mint interferes with their ability to locate food and navigate your yard. As a result, voles are less likely to venture into areas where mint is planted.
To make the most of mint as a vole deterrent, strategically plant it in areas where you’ve noticed vole activity or damage. You can choose to plant mint in pots or directly in the ground. Mint is a hardy and resilient plant that can thrive in various soil conditions, making it a low-maintenance addition to your yard.
Ensure that the mint plants receive adequate sunlight and water to encourage healthy growth. As they flourish, their scent will become more potent, further discouraging voles from approaching.
One advantage of using mint is its versatility. Not only does it help deter voles, but it also has culinary and medicinal uses. You can harvest mint leaves for teas, recipes, or natural insect repellents while simultaneously protecting your yard from vole infestations.
However, it’s essential to be mindful of mint’s spreading tendencies. Mint can be invasive, so it’s a good idea to plant it in containers or designated areas to prevent it from taking over your entire yard.
4. Clean Up Your Landscaping
Cleaning up your landscaping can be a practical and proactive approach to getting rid of voles. By addressing the conditions that attract voles, you can create an environment that discourages their presence.
Voles are attracted to clutter and debris in your yard. Fallen leaves, overgrown vegetation, and piles of wood or debris provide hiding spots and cover for these rodents. Therefore, one effective way to deter voles is by cleaning up your landscaping. Start by raking and removing dead leaves and grass clippings regularly, as these can serve as cozy hiding places for voles.
Trimming and maintaining your vegetation is crucial. Voles love to hide and nest in tall grass, dense shrubs, and overgrown areas. Keeping your lawn well-maintained and your shrubs neatly pruned reduces hiding spots and makes your yard less appealing to voles.
Inspect your yard for any clutter that could serve as vole shelter, such as old logs, stacks of firewood, or unused garden equipment. Remove or reorganize these items to minimize potential vole habitats.
In addition to cleaning up, consider installing physical barriers like wire mesh or underground fencing around your garden beds and valuable plants. This can prevent voles from burrowing into your garden and causing damage to your plants’ roots.
Regularly monitor your yard for signs of vole activity, such as surface runways and burrow entrances. If you detect any, address them promptly to prevent further infestations. Traps and baits can be used as a last resort if voles persist despite your cleanup efforts.
5. Wrap Your Tree Trunks in Wire Mesh
Wrapping your tree trunks in wire mesh is a practical and reliable method to shield them from vole damage. These small rodents can cause considerable harm to the base of trees, gnawing on bark and creating tunnels, which can ultimately weaken or kill the tree.
Firstly, you’ll need to select the appropriate wire mesh material. Hardware cloth or wire mesh with small openings is ideal for this purpose. Make sure it’s sturdy enough to withstand chewing and gnawing by voles. You can find wire mesh at most hardware or garden supply stores.
Measure the circumference of the tree trunk at the base to determine the amount of wire mesh required. Cut the wire mesh into pieces that are about 18 to 24 inches in height. This provides sufficient coverage to protect against vole damage.
Gently wrap the wire mesh around the base of the tree trunk, ensuring it fits snugly but not too tightly. It’s essential to leave a small gap between the mesh and the tree trunk to allow for growth and prevent damage to the bark.
Secure the ends of the wire mesh with zip ties or wire. Make sure the mesh is firmly in place, so voles cannot access the tree underneath.
One significant advantage of using wire mesh is that it forms a physical barrier that voles find difficult to penetrate. They won’t be able to chew through the mesh or access the tree’s bark, effectively protecting your trees from their destructive behavior.
Regularly inspect the wire mesh for any signs of wear or damage, and make necessary repairs or replacements to ensure continued protection.
Voles can chew through a lot of things to create their underground tunnels, including tree roots.
©iStock.com/AGAMI stock
6. Use a Vole Repellant Spray
To get rid of voles from your yard, try using a vole-repellent spray. This is a practical and convenient approach to protect your outdoor space from these small but destructive rodents. Voles can cause extensive damage to lawns, gardens, and ornamental plants by gnawing on roots and creating unsightly tunnels. Here’s how vole repellent spray can help you keep them at bay.
Vole-repellent sprays are specially formulated to deter these rodents. They often contain natural ingredients like castor oil, garlic, or predator scents that create an environment voles find unpleasant. The spray is typically safe for use around pets and children, making it a family-friendly solution.
To use vole repellent spray effectively, start by identifying areas in your yard where vole activity is prevalent. Look for signs like surface runways, burrow entrances, or damaged vegetation. These are the spots where you’ll want to focus your application.
Follow the instructions on the product label for the recommended application rate and coverage area. In most cases, you’ll spray the repellent directly onto the ground or on the plants that the voles are targeting. Be thorough but avoid over-saturating the area.
Vole repellent spray should be reapplied regularly, especially after heavy rain or irrigation, as it can wash away over time. Consistent application is essential to maintain the deterrent effect and keep voles from returning.
One advantage of using vole-repellent spray is its ease of use and versatility. It can be applied to various outdoor areas, including lawns, flower beds, and garden plots. Also, it’s a non-lethal method that allows you to deter voles without harming them.
7. Call a Professional Pest Control Service
If all else fails, the best way to get rid of voles is to call a pro. Calling a professional pest control service to deal with a vole infestation in your yard is essential in certain situations. While there are many DIY methods available, there are instances where the expertise and tools of a professional become necessary.
Severe Infestation
If you notice extensive damage caused by voles, such as a network of tunnels throughout your yard or significant harm to your plants, it’s a sign that the infestation has become severe. In such cases, a professional pest control service can quickly and effectively address the problem.
Persistent Infestation
If you’ve tried various methods to deter voles, such as traps, repellents, or habitat modification, but the infestation persists or worsens, it’s time to call in the experts. Professional pest control technicians have access to a range of techniques and products that can tackle stubborn vole populations.
Health Concerns
Voles can carry diseases, and their presence near your home may pose health risks to you and your family. If you’re concerned about disease transmission or contamination of your living spaces, it’s best to seek professional help.
Protected or Sensitive Plants
If you have rare, valuable, or environmentally sensitive plants that are under threat from voles, professional intervention is advisable. Pest control specialists can tailor their methods to protect these plants while effectively managing the vole population.
Lack of Time or Expertise
Dealing with a vole infestation can be time-consuming and requires knowledge of vole behavior and control methods. If you lack the time, expertise, or resources to handle the problem on your own, hiring professionals is a practical solution.
Preventive Measures
If you’ve experienced vole infestations in the past and want to implement preventive measures to avoid future problems, professional pest control services can provide ongoing monitoring and treatment to keep your yard vole-free.
To summarize, calling a professional pest control service is advisable when you’re dealing with a severe or persistent vole infestation, have health concerns, need to protect valuable plants, lack the expertise or time for DIY methods, or wish to implement preventive measures. Professional technicians can efficiently and safely address vole issues, allowing you to enjoy a vole-free yard and peace of mind. Still, we recommend trying some of the methods to get rid of voles on this list before dishing out the cash on a professional pest control service. Good luck!
Summary of Most Effective Ways to Get Rid of Voles in Your Yard
| # | Method |
|---|---|
| 1 | Use Live Traps |
| 2 | Use Predator Urine |
| 3 | Plant Mint Around Your Yard |
| 4 | Clean Up Your Landscaping |
| 5 | Wrap Your Tree Trunks in Wire Mesh |
| 6 | Use a Vole Repellant Spray |
| 7 | Call a Professional Pest Control Service |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K, CC BY 2.0
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