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Voles, also known as meadow voles, are small rodents that are commonly found in Idaho. While they may seem harmless, voles can actually cause significant damage to lawns and landscapes. With their year-round activity and destructive feeding habits, it’s important to be proactive in managing and preventing vole problems.

Voles are small, chunky rodents that measure around 4½ to 5½ inches long, including their tail. They feed on roots, stems, grass, seeds, and underground reproductive structures like bulbs and tubers. In trees, they can cause damage by girdling or removing the bark from the trunk or stem near the base. In lawns, voles create shallow tunnels or runways, leaving behind gnawed stems, bark, and roots.

Vole populations have cyclical patterns, with minor peaks every four to six years and epidemic explosions every 10 to 12 years. These cycles are not predictable and cannot be interrupted through disease unless the population is extremely dense. Voles have a lifespan of two to 16 months and reproduce year-round, with litter sizes ranging from one to 11 young.

To address vole problems, it is essential to routinely monitor your property for signs of vole damage. Clearing weeds and debris, as well as consistently mowing your lawn, can help eliminate their habitat. Prevent access to trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds by surrounding plants with 3/8-inch netted wire installed below the soil surface and above ground. Other materials like aluminum flashing can also serve as entry barriers.

Wooden traps can be effective in reducing vole damage. Place them flush with the ground and at right angles to surface runways, staking them to prevent predators from dragging them away. Set the traps with enticing baits like peanut butter, oatmeal, or apple slices, and check them daily.

Hand-baiting with chemicals is another option, but caution should be exercised as they are toxic to children, pets, and non-target animals. Using bait stations, enclosed feeding devices placed in runways or next to burrows, can increase the likelihood of success. Fresh bait and pre-baiting with non-toxic bait similar to the toxic one can also improve effectiveness. Zinc phosphide, a fast-acting chemical, is one option. However, it is restricted-use, so only certified applicators can purchase and use it. Another option is anticoagulant chemical baits, which mix food sources with the active ingredient to attract voles.

It’s important to always read and follow label instructions when using chemicals for vole control. Take precautions to prevent moisture activation or exposure to wet conditions. Additionally, make sure to place baits underground in entry holes or bait stations to ensure safety.

In conclusion, addressing vole problems requires monitoring, habitat elimination, trapping, and careful use of chemicals. By taking these steps, you can minimize damage and maintain the health of your lawns and landscapes.

Definitions:
– Voles: Small, chunky, ground-dwelling rodents.
– Girdling: Removing the bark from the trunk or stem near the base of a tree.
– Restricted-use chemical: A chemical that can only be purchased and used by certified applicators.

Sources:
– David L. Clement, University of Maryland, Bugwood.org
– Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

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