Become a better gardener! Discover our new Almanac Garden Planner features for 2024. It’s easy, fun, and free to try!
What is a Vole? How Can I Identify Vole Damage?
ADVERTISEMENT
I have a few voles, also moles. I also have a lab/hound cross and a cairn terrorist, erm, terrier. My little hunter-killers have so much fun doing what they were bred for, so the vermin population stays manageable.
I have a few voles, also moles. I also have a lab/hound cross and a cairn terrorist, erm, terrier. My little hunter-killers have so much fun doing what they were bred for, so the vermin population stays manageable.
A point missed about voles is that they love rye grass and any grass that isn't a fescue type. Fescue grass makes them sick. Either plant fescue type grasses or at least mix in this type of grass. It certainly helped my vole problem.
My answer is "foster or adopt one or two Outdoor Cats"; an outdoor Cat will get Moles; Voles; baby woodchucks; Mice. Definite safe-pest Control; (TAILS.org in Conn. has outdoor foster Barn Cats; try their website; I have two small very pretty Coon-Cats available)
I have mole or vole problems
I've had several thousand dollar's worth of various plantings killed by these rodents. I now only plant when it's cool outside and the ground is damp. I noticed years ago that ground voles were attracted to the plants I was spot watering, especially during very dry periods. Ground voles are definitely attracted to water when the ground is very dry. I find if I plant in the fall or winter, when I don't have to water because the ground is already damp, voles don't seem to notice them. There are some plants I've found voles find irresistible - hostas and rhododendrons immediately spring to mind - that I plant in containers with the bottoms cut out. I've found it to be very effective at vole proofing my new plantings. Minimal mulching and keeping the grass cut short definitely helps.
Thanks for the "plant in container" tip!
Voles ate 20 + hostas and 15+ perennials this past year and tons of tomatoes in the past.
I think I'll put gravel in hole and plant in container! Thanks again
Thanks for the "plant in container" tip!
Voles ate 20 + hostas and 15+ perennials this past year and tons of tomatoes in the past.
I think I'll put gravel in hole and plant in container! Thanks again
Looking to deter voles, we are seeing many underground trails around our yard as well as along our concrete driveway. What are the best options such as a castor oil spray? Do those solar-powered thumpers really work? Thanks
Voles climbed our cucumber vine and do make some small mounds. They are difficult to trap. Above ground traps with peanut butter might catch them. Their holes are so small, you can’t easily trap them below ground.