Welcome to Fox Pest Control’s ultimate guide to voles! Whether you’re facing an infestation or just want to learn more about these little creatures, we’ve got you covered. From fun facts and different types of voles to their behaviors and vole pest control tips, this guide has everything you need. Let’s jump right in!
What Do Voles Look Like?
What are Voles?
Voles are small, burrowing rodents often mistaken for moles or mice, but they’re a whole different species. They’re mostly active at night, spending their time digging underground tunnels and nibbling on plants, roots, and seeds. While they don’t make molehills, their surface trails are easy to spot, especially if you see damaged plants or plants that are mysteriously disappearing underground.
What Do Voles Look Like?
Voles may be small, but they’ve got a distinctive look that sets them apart from other critters. Here’s what to look for:
- Size: Voles are about 4 to 9 inches long, including their tail, making them a bit smaller than a mouse but larger than a shrew.
- Body: They have stocky, round bodies that are built for digging. Their short legs and short, blunt snout give them a chunky appearance.
- Fur: Their fur is soft and usually brown, gray, or tan, blending well with the ground they burrow in. Some have lighter bellies, but they’re mostly uniform in color.
- Tail: Their tails are short and covered in fur, unlike a mouse’s long, naked tail. The tail isn’t used for much, as voles don’t need it for balance or communication like some other rodents.
- Eyes and Ears: Voles have small, beady eyes and tiny ears that are often hidden under their fur, making them harder to spot.
They might look cute at first glance, but these little diggers can be a big problem in gardens and yards! We’ll talk more about that in a bit.
How Many Voles Are There in the World?
Hold onto your gardening gloves because there are over 155 species of voles worldwide! These tiny, mouse-like rodents are everywhere: North America, Europe, Asia, and even the Arctic tundra. Known as “meadow mice” or “field mice” (though they’re not actually mice), voles are nature’s sneaky little landscapers. They thrive in grassy fields, forests, and—unfortunately—our gardens and yards!
Where Do Voles Live?
Voles are all over the U.S.! They’re not super picky about where they live, but they do like some places more than others. You’re most likely to spot them in the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest, but they can also hang out in the South, as long as the conditions are right. Some species, like the meadow vole, even make their way to the Rocky Mountains!
Voles aren’t super picky, but they do have some favorite things they look for when choosing a home:
- Lots of Plants: Voles are plant lovers, so they’re all about thick grasses, tall weeds, and shrubs. It gives them plenty of food to munch on and plenty of cover to hide from predators.
- Moisture: Voles like places that are damp, like near streams or ponds, where they can stay hydrated and have the plants they eat stay nice and fresh.
- Safe Hiding Spots: Voles need to stay hidden from animals like hawks, owls, and even cats. They love overgrown grass and dense shrubs where they can be safe.
- Soft, Loose Soil: Voles are diggers! They like soft, loose soil that’s easy to tunnel through, so garden beds and well-watered lawns are like prime real estate for them.
In short, voles like places with plenty of food, moisture, and shelter—and your yard might just be the perfect spot if it’s got all the right stuff!
Voles Have Been Around for a Really, Really Long Time…
Believe it or not, voles have been scampering around for millions of years! Fossil records show their ancestors existed during the Ice Age, proving they’re survivors through and through. Their ability to burrow, adapt to different climates, and reproduce quickly has kept them thriving while other species went extinct.
Do Voles Bite, Sting, Damage Property, or Spread Disease?
Let’s set the record straight: voles are not out to get you! They’re not aggressive and will usually steer clear of humans, only biting if they feel trapped or threatened. And no, they don’t sting or have venom—these little guys aren’t some kind of mutant rodent. But just because they’re not dangerous to you doesn’t mean they won’t cause trouble in other ways.
Voles may be small, but they can cause some serious damage to your property. One of the main ways they wreak havoc is by digging extensive underground tunnel systems. These tunnels can quickly ruin your lawn, creating unsightly holes and soft, uneven spots. If you’ve ever noticed your grass starting to die off or feel like your yard’s suddenly got a bunch of dips and bumps, chances are voles are the culprits. They’re also known to munch on the roots of plants, flowers, shrubs, and even trees, which can stunt growth or kill your favorite garden plants. For farmers and gardeners, voles can be a nightmare, as they love to snack on crops like vegetables and young seedlings.
Beyond their plant-devouring ways, voles can also spread diseases that are harmful to both humans and pets. The two most common diseases associated with voles are hantavirus and tularemia. Voles carry these diseases in their urine, droppings, and saliva, and humans can become infected by inhaling particles from these bodily fluids or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. In rare cases, a bite from an infected vole could transmit these diseases as well.
- Hantavirus is especially dangerous because it can lead to a severe lung disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which can be deadly if not treated quickly.
- Tularemia, also known as “rabbit fever,” is another serious illness that can cause symptoms like fever, swollen lymph nodes, and respiratory problems. It’s generally spread through contact with an infected animal or its bodily fluids.
So, while voles are just doing their thing underground, they’re definitely not the kind of yard visitors you want around—especially if you value your plants or want to avoid the potential health risks. Keeping your distance and taking measures to remove them from your property is a smart move for both the health of your garden and your family.
Have a vole problem that needs fixing?
Life Cycle of Voles
Voles live a fast-paced life, and their reproduction is no different! These little rodents may only live 3 to 6 months in the wild, but they’re experts at making sure their species keeps going strong. Let’s break down their life cycle:
Birth and Growing Up Fast
Female voles can start having babies as early as 1 month old. After mating, a female vole has a gestation period of about 21 days (that’s just a little over 3 weeks!). Once she gives birth, she’ll have 3 to 6 pups per litter, but she can have up to 5 to 10 litters a year—imagine that! These baby voles grow up quickly, reaching adulthood within 2 months. By then, they’re ready to start their own families and keep the vole population booming. So, it’s no surprise that voles can quickly overrun an area if the conditions are right.
How Voles Choose Their Mates
When it comes to mating, voles are pretty straightforward, but there’s still some interesting behavior to note. Mating season usually starts in the spring and can last into the fall, and voles are generally polygamous, meaning they have multiple partners throughout the year. Female voles are the ones in charge of choosing a mate, and they often select based on territory and health. A male vole that has a well-established, food-rich burrow is much more attractive than one that doesn’t. The males will fight for a female’s attention by performing chasing and squeaking (yes, voles make little sounds!) and trying to win over her favor.
Once a male has successfully impressed a female, they mate, and the cycle continues. Since voles don’t have a long lifespan, the goal is to reproduce quickly and keep their colony growing. Each female vole may have several different partners during her life, but it’s all about the survival of the species!
The Busy Life of a Vole Parent
After mating, the female vole will raise her babies in a cozy nest, often lined with grasses and leaves in one of the deeper chambers of her burrow. She’ll nurse her young for a few weeks before they start exploring the tunnels on their own. Once they’re old enough, they’ll branch out to find their own burrows and start the whole process over again.
Even though voles may have a short lifespan, they live it to the fullest, constantly digging, eating, and, of course, reproducing to make sure their colony thrives. From birth to burrow master, it’s a fast and busy journey!
The Role of Adult Voles
Even though they don’t stick around for long, adult voles are constantly working. They’ve got a lot of important jobs, including building and maintaining their burrows, gathering food to store for the winter, and, of course, raising their ever-growing families. In larger vole colonies, it’s a team effort. Voles work together to dig a whole network of tunnels that provide a safe, cozy space to live and easy access to food. These tunnels also help them avoid predators and create a little vole neighborhood underground.
A family affair!
Voles are all about family and community! They build cozy nests in their burrows, lined with grasses and leaves, and have multiple litters of pups each year—sometimes up to 10! With their fast reproduction rates, it doesn’t take long for a few voles to turn into a full-on colony. Voles aren’t solo creatures either—they live in groups and work together to maintain their tunnels. They even communicate through scent-marking, helping them find food and stay clear of each other’s territory. It’s like a little vole family working as a team!
Even though voles have a short lifespan, they’re always busy making sure their colony stays fed, safe, and expanding. It’s a fast-paced life, but they’ve got the teamwork and speed to make it work!
Mistaken Identities
Voles are often mistaken for moles, mice, and even shrews, but they’re actually quite different from each of these critters. Let’s break down how they compare, so you can easily spot the difference next time you spot a burrowing or scurrying creature in your yard.
- Voles vs. Moles:
- Diet: Voles are herbivores, which means they munch on plants, like grasses, weeds, and roots. Moles, on the other hand, are insectivores, so they snack on worms, grubs, and other bugs.
- Habitat: Moles spend most of their time underground, digging tunnels and living in complete darkness. Voles, however, tend to stay closer to the surface and are more visible, often scurrying across lawns or gardens in search of food.
- Body Type: Moles have long, pointy noses and large, powerful front paws for digging. Voles, with their shorter, rounder bodies and small tails, don’t dig with the same intensity and instead rely on burrow systems to move around.
- Voles vs. Mice:
- Tail Length: Mice are known for their long, skinny tails, but voles have short, stocky tails.
- Body Shape: Mice are usually more slender, while voles are chubbier and more compact. Voles also have smaller ears and rounder bodies compared to mice.
- Diet: Mice are opportunistic eaters and can nibble on almost anything, including some plants and seeds. Voles, however, prefer to stick to vegetation like grasses, roots, and shrubs.
- Voles vs. Shrews:
- Diet: Shrews are insectivores, just like moles, and will eat small invertebrates and even some mammals. Voles, however, stick to eating plants.
- Body Type: Shrews are small, with pointed snouts and lean bodies, while voles are more robust, with rounded snouts and thicker, stockier builds.
- Behavior: Shrews are very active and can often be seen darting around looking for food, while voles are more likely to stay in their burrows, munching on vegetation.
By knowing these key differences, you’ll be able to identify voles more easily and understand how they fit into the world of burrowing critters!
Behavior, Diet, and Living Conditions of Voles
Voles are busy little creatures, always working on their burrows and hunting for food. Here’s a peek into their world and what makes them so interesting!
Busy Builders and Diggers
Voles are master diggers! They create elaborate tunnel systems just below the surface, which they use to travel between food sources, hide from predators, and store food for the winter. These burrows are usually made up of multiple entrances and exits, making it easy for them to dart around quickly if danger strikes. Unlike moles, whose tunnels are deeper, voles dig just under the surface, so you might spot the entry holes on your lawn or garden.
Daytime Dwellers
Unlike many other small creatures that prefer to stay hidden at night, voles are pretty active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. They’re like the little workaholics of the animal kingdom—constantly running around gathering food or tending to their burrows.
Staying Safe
Voles are always on alert for predators like hawks, owls, foxes, and even domestic cats. To stay safe, they use their underground burrows for shelter, and they often create their tunnels in areas with lots of ground cover—think tall grasses, weeds, or shrubs. These dense areas give them the perfect hiding spots where they can stay out of sight and avoid becoming someone’s dinner.
Nesting Habits
Voles are master diggers! They create elaborate tunnel systems just below the surface, which they use to travel between food sources, hide from predators, and store food for the winter. These burrows are usually made up of multiple entrances and exits, making it easy for them to dart around quickly if danger strikes. Unlike moles, whose tunnels are deeper, voles dig just under the surface, so you might spot the entry holes on your lawn or garden.
Voles create nests out of grasses, leaves, and other plant materials. These cozy homes are usually hidden in shallow burrows, under logs, or within dense vegetation. Voles rely on their nests for shelter, raising young, and hiding from predators.
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How Do Voles Communicate?
Voles have some pretty interesting ways of getting their point across! They don’t just rely on sound—they use a mix of high-pitched squeaks, scent marking, and even vibrations to communicate with each other. The squeaks are often used to warn other voles about danger or to signal when they’re looking for a mate. Scent marking is like leaving little “notes” around their tunnels, helping them claim their territory and communicate where food or shelter is located. But it doesn’t stop there! Voles can even pick up on vibrations in the ground to sense when something’s nearby, like another vole or a predator. It’s like a whole underground texting system, just without the phones!
What Do Voles Eat?
They’re not picky eaters, though. Voles will forage both above and below ground, using their sharp teeth to gnaw through roots, bulbs, and even bark. Their shallow tunnels let them grab food without straying too far from home. So, if you’ve got a garden, voles might just be digging their way to your veggies for an all-you-can-eat buffet!
Voles are plant-loving munchers, and they can be a real headache for your garden! These little guys are all about grasses, seeds, fruits, veggies, and even tree bark. But their favorite treat? Plant roots! They love to chew through roots, which can totally wreck your garden and landscaping. If they find a good spot, they’ll eat it all up and then move on to the next.
Signs of a Vole Infestation
If you’re seeing odd holes or your plants aren’t looking their best, it could be a sign that voles have set up camp in your yard. Here are some common signs of a vole infestation to watch out for:
- Runways: Voles create little “runways” through your grass, leaving behind patches of dead or flattened grass. These tiny trails often crisscross your lawn and can lead you right to where they’re hanging out.
- Burrow Holes: These little burrows are usually small, about the size of a golf ball, and can be found near plants, shrubs, or anywhere there’s good ground cover. You might also notice holes that look like tiny entrances into their underground hideouts.
- Plant Damage: Voles love to snack on plants, especially the roots, stems, and bark. If you see chewed-up or damaged plants, it’s a telltale sign that a vole is munching on your garden. Their favorite food? Roots—so look for stunted or wilting plants that might have lost their underground anchors.
If you’re spotting these signs, it’s time to take action and stop those sneaky voles from turning your yard into their personal buffet!
What You Can Do About Voles
If you’re seeing the signs of a vole invasion, don’t worry! Whether you’re dealing with an active infestation or just want to keep them from moving in, here are some solid tips to help you out:
- Keep Your Yard Tidy: Voles love hiding in tall grass, brush piles, and debris. By trimming back overgrown plants and clearing away piles of leaves or dead wood, you make it harder for voles to set up shop. A neat yard is a less inviting one for these sneaky critters!
- Seal Food Sources: Voles are always on the lookout for a tasty snack. Store seeds, grains, and pet food in airtight containers to keep them out of reach. If they can’t find a buffet in your yard, they’ll be less likely to stick around.
- Install Barriers: You can physically keep voles out by using mesh or hardware cloth around gardens, trees, or flower beds. Voles might burrow, but they’ll have a much harder time getting through these barriers.
- Invite Natural Predators: Owls, hawks, snakes, and even cats love to snack on voles. By attracting these natural predators, you can create a little wildlife balance in your yard and give voles a reason to look for a safer (and less delicious) place to hang out.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to evicting any unwanted voles—or better yet, preventing them from moving in!
How Do I Get Rid of Voles?
If voles are still making a mess of your yard despite your best efforts, it might be time to call in the pros at Fox Pest Control! Our vole exterminators knows exactly how to tackle vole infestations and keep them from coming back.
We’ll help you identify problem spots, seal up entry points, and ensure your home stays safe from future vole invasions. So, don’t let these little tunnelers take over—call Fox Pest Control today for a peaceful, yard!
