Microtus
VOLE
FACTS AND IDENTIFICATION
Scientific Name
A vole is a mouse-like rodent. It is most known for damaging grass, bulbs, trees, and roots. They are frequently found in shoreline zones along rivers, ponds, and lakes in North America.
Identification – What do voles look like?
A vole ranges from yellow-brown to reddish-brown to dark brown. Their belly fur is lighter in color and is often gray or silver. They resemble rats and mice but have shorter tails and heavier, cylindrical bodies. They are 5 to 7 inches long including the tail and weigh 1 to 2 oz. Voles live 1 to 1 1/2 years. They can have up to 12 litters a year in mild climate.
Habitat and Habits of voles
Voles nest in grassy fields, marshes, and shorelines. Their nests consist of mixed grasses and weeds. The nests can be located below or above ground. They may dig several burrows to use for protection. Occasionally voles will use tunnels already excavated by other burrowing animals, such as moles.
Diet – What do voles eat?
Voles eat may different types of foods. In the spring and summer, they eat grasses, weeds, and sedges. In the fall and winter, they eat grains, seeds, bark, roots, and winter fruits. Voles are active all year, day and night. They do not hibernate.
Vole Control – How to get rid of voles?
Voles rarely end up inside homes instead they are more likely to invade your yard or garden. There are a few things you can do to prevent voles from infesting your yard. Remove unwanted vegetation and debris, trim grass and remove weeds, put steel mesh around trees, and cultivate the soil around your garden (to destroy tunnels and burrows).
Rocky Mountain Bird and Pest technicians are trained to spot vole damage and find out where they are hiding. We will remove the voles and their burrows, and develop a plan to prevent them from returning.