How To Get Rid Of Voles Three Popular Methods
There are three common remedies you an use to get rid of voles.
There are a number of methods you can use for how to get rid of voles, but most experts recommend three popular methods:
- Trapping
- Poisoning
Vole Trapping
Trapping voles usually consists of both live traps and lethal traps. If you have a small vole problem, trapping them using live traps and lethal traps can be an effective way to eradicate the issue. When using live rodent traps, remember that you should drive at least three to five miles away from your property to release the vole so it cannot find its way back.
That said, if you are wondering how to get rid of voles in the midst of a very large vole problem, we suggest using traps along with other vole removal methods like repellents or poisons.
Vole Repelling
We always say that prevention is key to controlling any pest problem, including when it comes to how to get rid of voles. If you can keep the majority of these critters from digging through your lawn in the first place, you are much less likely to wind up dealing with an infestation or a vole problem that gets out of control.
Our favorite vole repellents use natural ingredients like castor oil to help repel voles and other pests from digging up your lawn and garden.
Vole Poisoning
Now, before you decide which method for how to get rid of voles is right for you, lets take a look at some of our favorite products for vole removal and prevention below.
How To Kill Moles In Your Yard With Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a hot spice that deters any tunneling animal from invading your yard. The hotness of the pepper upsets a moles digestive system and makes your grass undesirable. Its one of the best natural ways to get rid of moles in your yard and it is easy to distribute.
After a mole consumes a small amount of cayenne pepper, it will either die or avoid returning to your yard. Identify where the holes in your lawn are and pour a small amount of cayenne pepper in the hole.
The moles consume the hot pepper as they burrow for grubs and earthworms and avoid returning to your lawn. Creating a cayenne pepper mixture is an additional way to use this technique.
Mix a ½ cup of the spice with water in a spray bottle and spray the affected areas. Using cayenne pepper is a long term solution for getting rid of moles in your garden or lawn area.
Moles And Voles Are Physically Different
Southern moles are between 6 and 7 inches long and weigh between 3 and 4 ounces They have small eye and ear openings and a pointed nose that protrudes about one-half inch beyond the mouth. Their large front feet are webbed and have sharp claws to aid in digging .
Voles are 4 to 6 inches long and have short legs and tails, and small eyes and ears. There are two species native to Alabama. The most common is the pine or woodland vole , which is found statewide in woodlands . The second is the prairie vole , found only in the northern one-third of the state.
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When A Shrew Detects Predators Scent It Avoids The Treated Area
How to get rid of shrews in yard. Shrews causing issues in your garden or lawn? Voles and shrews can be trapped and killed with mouse traps. For total shrew control, we recommend removing food sources and trapping at the beginning of april to limit shrew activity and populations.
The traps can be baited with small bits of meat or tuna fish and placed where shrew activity has been noticed. While commercial snap and box traps are available, a simple pit trap may consist of a common gallon jar buried in. Tips on getting rid of shrews.
Mowing the lawn and trimming foliage regularly makes yards less favorable to shrews since the pests prefer areas with plenty of cover. The product safely repels shrews by using predator scent. Fill holes and crevices that could serve as shrew entry points.
While many people don’t like this option, it can successfully rid your yard of destructive lawn vermin. Since shrews pick their habitats based on the presence of groundcover, property owners can reduce the possibility of attracting the pests by keeping grass mowed short and shrubbery and ornamental lawn trees trimmed. Essential oils to get rid of shrews.
Keep your lawn cut as short as possible. Clean up plant matter and other garden debris. Traps are a good example of how to get rid of shrews in the garden.
Shrews are repelled by some essential oils. Dont leave pet food where shrews can get into it. Spray your yard to repel insects monthly and don’t leave pet food outside.
Pin On Remedies
How To Get Rid Of Moles And Voles
Find out the difference between moles and voles and learn how to get rid of moles and voles so these burrowing varmints don’t turn your lawn or garden into their playpen.
Mounds of soil, raised tunnels and soft spots in your yard are common signs of moles. In general, only two or three of these solitary animals will inhabit an acre of land.
Shutterstock/Ondrej Prosicky
Mounds of soil, raised tunnels and soft spots in your yard are common signs of moles. In general, only two or three of these solitary animals will inhabit an acre of land.
You’re strolling across your beautiful lawn when you notice something isn’t right. Strange, raised trails zigzag across the grass, and with your next step, your foot sinks into the ground. You may have moles, little animals that live underground and feast on grubs, earthworms and insects. Unless you learn how to get rid of them, they can destroy your well-maintained lawn.
Moles aren’t the only troublesome garden pests. Voles can devour your flower bulbs, munch on the roots of your carrots, potatoes and other root vegetables, damage your trees and shrubs, eat your grass and leave well-worn paths through your yard. Learn how to get rid of of moles and voles before they ruin your landscape.
Be aware of the damage these small and large animals could do to your garden.
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What Is The Difference Between A Vole And A Mole
Aside from their different appearance, one way to identify vole infestation in your yard, as opposed to moles, are by their tunnels and damage they do to your lawn. Voles will make small holes with no mound and leave tracks on the surface of soft-ground and grass. Their tracks resemble interwoven corridors. Moles, on the other hand, tend to make larger holes with a mound and their tunneling will cause raised ridges on the surface.
Havahart 1025 Live Vole Trap
Havahart live traps are a popular way to catch rodents inclhttps://www.amazon.com/Havahart-1020-Animal-Two-Door-Mouse/dp/B0000DINGGuding voles. This is another great option if you have no interest in killing the poor little fellas. After all, theyre just rodents trying to make a living on the means streets of your lawn. This live trapping system is made from sturdy and reliable materials that will last a considerable amount of time should you need them again in the future. The Havahart 1020 can not only be used to eradicate voles, but to catch mice as well. The size makes for a double pest-control solution, providing two slots for vole containment.
You might be persuaded to buy this trap if you appreciate tradition. Havahart has been manufacturing the same design, and using the same materials, for over seventy years. For them, theres nothing else to be changed design-wise, and they know that what they sell works.
Features include two gravity-action doors, smooth internal edges for the protection of the animals, and proven functionality through extensive field testing with high catch rates and few escapes. The live trap is made with a strong rust-resistant wire mesh with steel reinforcements galvanized for maximum resistance.
Features include an easy foot stepping motion to set the trap safely underground, no need for chemicals or poisons, and are accepted in organic farms, nurseries, and ranches. Two traps come in this set.
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Three Signs Of Mole Damage
Common Species Of Voles
How To Identify:
- Adults can reach up to 10, including their tail
- Tail encompasses almost 30% of their length and can make them difficult to distinguish from mice
- Dark hair, usually ranging from gray to black
- Found throughout the western U.S. and Canada
- Less particular with their habitat than their cousin species and have been found in grassy areas, meadows, forests, and banks against bodies of water
- Active year-round, but are mainly nocturnal
- Not known to construct underground tunnels, unlike other voles, therefore less of a property damage issue
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Five Ways To Prevent Mole And Vole Damage During The Winter
How To Control Voles And Vole Damage
To manage a vole infestation, you should first modify your garden to protect your plants, then if necessary take steps to reduce the vole population. Here are some tips:
Vole Habitat Management
Vole Pest Control
- Trapping: You can use either humane live traps or mouse traps to catch voles. The best time to trap voles is in the fall. Place live traps directly in the vole runway place mouse traps perpendicular to the runway with the trigger in the voles path. Bait the traps with diced apples or peanut butter mixed with oatmeal. Avoid mouse traps if you have children or pets in your yard!
- Poison: While rodent poisons and baits are effective in killing voles, I wouldnt recommend putting any kind of poison outdoors if you can help it, to keep from endangering other animals. If you do resort to poison, use tamper-proof bait containers and/or insert the bait directly into vole burrows to reduce exposure to ground birds and pets. Some baits must be applied by a licensed pest control professional.
- Fumigants: Vole burrows are shallow with many openings, rendering fumigating poisons pretty ineffective.
- Repellents: Critter repellents, such as sprays and ultrasonic devices, have only limited success with voles. Predator urine can work for a while, but any repellent needs to be frequently changed and reapplied.
Snap trap for small rodents.
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Can I Control Voles Under Snow Cover
Voles are active year round and can be controlled year round. When snow arrives, above ground foraging voles can tunnel under the snow and be protected from predators. These voles can destroy your turf as well as gnaw the base of your shrubs and trees. Close mowing in the fall before snow arrives can reduce damage to the lawns. It is best to anticipate vole problems and start controlling them before snow arrives. The Vole Control Bait Stations will work under snow cover for all vole types, however, if the snow is too deep , you will be unable to monitor the stations effectively and access to replenish the bait will be inhibited.
Trying To Get Rid Of Voles For Good
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Voles are small mammals that are active both above and underneath the ground. Although mature voles only reach five to seven inches long, they can still upend a yard by feeding on vegetation and kicking up dirt, roots and grass.
Like moles, shrews and mice, voles pose their own unique pest issues. But moles mostly stay underground, and shrews and mice dont create nearly the same amount of tunneling, burrows or runways. Voles can also be difficult to identify because of how closely they resemble mice. They are even known as meadow mice or field mice. But if they are creating a problem on your property, it is important to distinguish voles from real mice.
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How To Control Moles And Voles
Whether you have a problem with moles, voles, or both, the techniques to remove them are often the same. Get rid of one, and youll take care of the other as well.
Many methods, humane and otherwise, exist for ridding moles and voles from your garden or lawn. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation on this subject. Some techniques just dont work, while others can be dangerous. Also, certain species of moles and voles are endangered and protected, making it illegal to harm them. In order to solve your mole or vole problem, its important to educate yourself and separate fact from fantasy.
Learning The Necessary Steps To Get Rid Of Moles
Effective mole control begins with understanding the correct steps to identify and eliminate these garden pests. It is also critical to decide whether you want to kill ground moles in the garden or scare them away.
No matter what mole removal process you want to implement, we show you how to get rid of moles causing destruction in your lawn. Additionally, we provide homeowners with ways to kill moles with mole bait.
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How To Get Rid Of Shrews
At the present time, no fumigants or repellents exist that are known to eradicate shrew infestations. On the upside, shrews are not rodents, so they don’t pose the same kinds of problems as rats or mice.
Over the span of 24 hours, a shrew might triple its body weight in bugs, mice, slugs and snails. Its worth noting the shrew won’t intentionally eat away at the roots and bulbs of crucial plants and crops. Even though shrews are known to dig holes here and there, that damage is miniscule to the amount of crop destruction caused by the objects of prey among shrews: rodents and insects.
But in order to avoid the holes shrews can dig, the following steps will make your property less fetching to the mammal’s senses. Bear in mind that shrews love water and dark, covered hiding places.
- Place shrew-hospitable shelters away from your garden area.
- Rake up leaves and foliage. Clear away dead branches and garden waste.
- Move all brick and firewood stacks into your garage.
- Mow your lawn on a regular basis
- Clear away overgrown shrubs and low-hanging tree limbs.
- Exterminate insects from your lawn and garden several times each year.
- Try best to prevent puddles from forming on your property. Don’t overwater your lawn or garden.
- Cover trash and recycling bins tightly. Keep them inside your garage until pickup day.
- Keep pet bowls inside your house. Don’t leave any food outside.
- Clean up bird feeders on a daily basis.
Are Voles Active Year Round
Unlike many other small mammals, voles do not hibernate. Instead, they are active throughout the year. And depending upon where you live, voles can have four or five litters each year, and in warmer climates can reproduce year-round. Due to this prolific ability to reproduce, voles can grow their population quickly.
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How To Deal With Voles In Your Yard Or Garden
Ive seen the damage that voles can do in a yard or garden including vanishing bulbs, gnawed bark, crippled roots, nibbled stems, and pathways in the lawn. But it wasnt until I got a cat that I got a good look at a vole itself!
Dont worry, animal-lovers, this little guy lived to nibble another day. But after being batted around by my cat in the yard, he didnt seem to mind catching his breath for a minute in my gloved hand.
My yard didnt show any damage, so I decided to live and let live as long as the vole kept the same attitude. However, not every vole is willing to make that agreement, and an overpopulation of the critters can wreak havoc on yards and gardens.
Here are some tips on how to control voles in your yard.
