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Pestgon FactSheet
“ If they fly they die…if they crawl they fall”
VOLES (microtis)
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Biology & Habits:
Voles are often found in grassy and ivy covered landscapes. They are active
both night and day. They feed on the root tubers of a variety of landscape
plants and grasses. They also feed on the bark and twigs of various shrubs
causing a great deal of damage to certain landscape plantings. Pestgon technicians
have seen areas where they have produced hundreds of exit holes with runways
on the surface between them. The unsightly holes are clean openings, approximately
golf ball size, showing no soil mounds. They do not venture far from their
burrow system. Peak breeding takes place spring and fall.
 Typical Meadow Vole Damage |
Economic Damage:
Most plants tolerate minor vole damage. However in certain environmental
conditions, vole populations explode. Under these field conditions, there
can be several thousand voles per acre. Such populations can cause devastating
damage to landscape grasses, shrubs and trees. The demise of most trees and
shrubs is by girdling of the bark of the trunk and lower limbs. When limbs
die off separately, it is called “flagging.” It is often confused
with drought conditions and lack of plant nutrients, but a closer inspection
may reveal girdling of plant bark by voles. Pestgon recognizes that the economic
impact to your landscape investment may become very costly if voles are not
controlled.
Management Methods:
Since voles seek dense plant cover, Pestgon, Inc. recommends skirting up
trees and creating a bare area under the drip line to discourage voles from
girdling trees since they rarely feed in the open spaces. Trunk guards are
also helpful to protect trees from above ground girdling. The use of registered
rodenticides are very effective in eliminating vole populations. These chemicals
and baits must be applied by a certified pest control technician, such as
Pestgon, Incorporated.
Additional Links:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7439.html