Voles are small rodents belonging to the family Cricetidae, which also includes hamsters and lemmings. They are often mistaken for mice due to their similar size and appearance, but voles typically have shorter tails and stockier bodies. These rodents are found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, forests, and meadows, and are known for their prolific breeding habits.
Predators of voles vary depending on their habitat, but common predators include owls, hawks, cats, snakes, foxes, and weasels. Voles have developed various survival strategies to avoid predation, such as burrowing underground and creating intricate tunnel systems. The lifespan of voles typically ranges from one to two years in the wild, although some individuals may live longer in captivity.
Most Common North American Species
- prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster)
- meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)
- long-tailed vole (Microtus longicaudus)
- pine vole (Microtus pinetorum)
- montane vole (Microtus montanus)
- Oregon vole (Microtus oregoni)
- California vole (Microtus californicus)
- There are 124 species, 23 of which are native to the United States
Like many small mammals, voles have a rapid reproductive rate, with females capable of producing multiple litters of young each year. In terms of genetics and sexual behavior, voles have been the subject of extensive research, particularly in the field of behavioral genetics.
One species of vole, the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), has been particularly well-studied due to its complex mating system and monogamous behavior. Prairie voles form long-term pair bonds with a single mate, and both males and females contribute to parental care.
- Average Size: 3.5-9″ long
- Average Lifespan in the Wild: 3-6 months
- Voles can produce 5-10 litters per year with 3-6 young per litter.
- Primarily herbivorous, it eats different types of seed, nuts, berries, tubers, tree bark, leaves, fungi, insects and snails.
- Many vole species are skilled swimmers. In fact, the European water vole can swim up to 50 ft. underwater.
- Vole is mainly active during the night (nocturnal). Certain species are more active during the day during the winter period (due to decreased amount of food).
- Voles can produce sharp and quiet squeals for communication. They also communicate via chemical signals and scent marks.
The mating system of voles varies among species, with some exhibiting monogamous behavior like the prairie vole, while others are more promiscuous. In addition to monogamous pair bonding, some species of voles engage in communal nesting, where multiple females share a nest and care for each other’s young.
Voles have also been observed displaying empathy and consolation behavior towards distressed individuals. In experiments, prairie voles have been shown to comfort distressed companions by grooming them or engaging in other affiliative behaviors.
- Due to their small size, voles have a lot of predators. Some of them include: weasels, foxes, cats, bobcats, skunks, snakes and birds of prey. People kill voles to protect their crops.
- Voles are very fast animals. They can run at the speed of 6 miles per hour.
- When threatened, the Eastern meadow vole usually stamps its hind legs like a rabbit.
- Eastern meadow voles are able to eat as much as 60% of its body per day. They usually feed a sitting up position. When gnaw bark or a grain stalk, they have to stand.
The “vole clock” refers to the natural fluctuation in vole populations over time. Vole populations often undergo cyclic fluctuations, with periods of rapid increase followed by dramatic declines. These fluctuations are influenced by factors such as food availability, predation pressure, and environmental conditions.
How to Get Rid of Voles
- Mouse Traps – The best time to trap is either autumn or late winter. You can install mouse snap traps in a runway to kill voles. If there are multiple runways, know that the wider ones indicate heavy traffic, as do those heavily soiled with vole urine and feces. Place the trap perpendicular to a vole runway, aligning the trap’s trigger with the path. You could try some peanut butter for bait.
- Live Traps – If you prefer not to kill vole pests, you can attempt to trap them in live traps (such as Havahart traps) and move them to an approved location at least five miles from your home. Place the trap directly in the path and parallel to a well-defined surface runway (sort of like a bridge on a roadway). Baiting is not always necessary, but you can add a bit of peanut butter here, too. Note: Relocating pest rodents is restricted or prohibited in many areas, so check with local authorities before using live traps.
- Commercial Repellents – Thiram-based vole repellents, such as Shotgun Deer, Bobcat urine, and Rabbit Repellent, may be effective against these pests; however, thiram should not be used on garden plants. Repellents must be reapplied frequently because they dissipate with rain. However, after several applications, the voles become accustomed to the smell, reducing the effectiveness of the repellent.
- Fencing and Gravel – Wire mesh garden fencing (hardware cloth) can be wrapped around the base of a young tree in winter to keep voles from gnawing at its bark. Garden fencing can also be placed around plants to protect their roots. Make sure to bury all fencing at least 6 to 10 inches below the ground surface to prevent voles from burrowing underneath. Additionally, voles dislike crossing sharp gravel. When planting perennials or bulbs, add a gritty substance, like perlite or sharp gravel, in the bottom and up the sides of the hole at planting time to protect the roots and bulbs.
- Natural Repellents – Voles hate the smell of capsaicin, the chemical in spicy peppers. Take advantage of this fun fact by filling up a spray bottle with chopped hot peppers, water, and earth-friendly dish soap. Then, spray those spots where voles are digging to keep them away without harming your yard. Castor oil is another natural method to remove voles. Voles dislike the smell and taste of castor oil and will be repelled by it. Mix it with water and spray it around plants to protect them from vole damage.
- Natural Predators – It might seem counterintuitive to add more predators to your yard, but voles find their urine abhorrent. Fox and coyote urines can usually be purchased online or at farm and garden centers.
- Plant Repellents – In addition to tending your garden to keep voles at bay, it’s time to add some more to it. In particular, plant garlic in your bulb and perennial beds to help repel voles, as they dislike the scent. Want something prettier? Anything in the allium family will do nicely. Prefer something with a more pleasant scent? Try daffodils, iris, salvia, and snowdrops. These are just some of the plants that voles will turn their nose up at, and if there’s no food they like, they will move on.
Voles construct well-defined, 2-inch wide crisscrossing tunnels or “runways” at or near the ground’s surface.The real damage happens when voles burrow into the root systems of landscaping shrubs and trees,
causing young specimens to lean or to experience dieback. Voles can also wreak havoc on the roots of perennials such as hosta plants, spring bulbs, and the root crops in the garden, such as potatoes. Because vole gnawing will cause damage to trees and shrubs, you must also be careful about applying mulch too close to trees and shrubs.
You can also protect shrubs and young trees by wrapping the lower trunk with wire mesh to keep voles from snacking on the bark, which could eventually kill the plant. And in the winter, be sure to clear snow from the roots to discourage voles from digging a snow fort. A great tool for applying repelling granulesacross a large area of land is a granule spreader, which you can purchase at your local hardware store.
Further Reading
Sources
- Havahart “Vole Facts” https://www.havahart.com/vole-facts
- Wikipdeia “Vole” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vole
- SoftSchools “Vole Facts” https://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/vole_facts/334/
- Animalia “EASTERN MEADOW VOLE” https://animalia.bio/meadow-vole
- The Spruce “How to Get Rid of Voles in the Yard” https://www.thespruce.com/vole-control-getting-rid-of-voles-2131148#toc-7-ways-to-get-rid-of-voles
