How to get rid of Voles. Methods and products that can be used to combat vole infestation. Such as habitat elimination, mouse guards, trapping and chemical repellents. Also links to more advice on how to get rid of voles.

Habitat elimination is one way to get rid of voles. Keep grass mowed and maintain grass free areas around trees and shrubs to destroy runways, nests and hiding places. Gravel or crushed rock under the drip line will reduce habitat areas. Keep mulch around woody plants to a minimum. Controlling weeds and cultivation along fence rows, roadsides, and ditch banks can help reduce vole populations by reducing the number of invading voles.

Dense vegetative cover in the field encourages voles by providing food and protection from predators and environmental stress. Hence, the amount of crop cover remaining on a field as winter begins affects vole populations and damage. In areas where meadow mice are known to be a problem, graze or mow the field in late October to early December. This is particularly important in years with snow cover, because snow protects meadow mice from predators. Fences can be constructed to exclude meadow mice, but they are not cost-effective for protecting fields.

Mouse guards are another way to help get rid of voles. Wrap a strip of ¼ inch wire mesh (hardware cloth) around the base of fruit and ornamental trees. Adequately overlapped, a 14 inch strip will make a cylinder 2-3 inches in diameter for young trees. Submerge the hardware cloth 2-3 inches in the ground. It should extend 18-20 inches above ground level. Use higher guards where snow will be deep and the height of the lower limbs permits. Wire mesh mouse guards will last 5 years or more , but you should examine them every year to be certain voles cannot gain access to the tree. Trapping is one safe way to eliminate voles on small areas. Traps are especially useful in backyards and around ornamental trees and shrubs. Place wooden-base snap traps in runways, flush with the ground and at right angles to the runways. Use peanut butter, oatmeal or apple slices for bait

Trapping is not a cost-effective control measure in fields, but it is useful to monitor populations. When mouse damage is visible along the edge of a field, set two trap lines of 50 traps each. The number of mice caught in one night per 100 traps is used to assess the population level. Infestations that yield fewer than 5 meadow mice per 100 traps are considered light; 10 per 100 traps, moderate; and 20 or more per 100 traps, heavy. Begin treatment when population is moderate.

Chemical repellents are often touted as the answer when people ask how to get rid of voles, and do help keep voles away from yards and orchards. But don't rely on repellents alone, because when food is scarce voles may even eat repellant treated bark. It is recommended to use repellents on a short term basis, or in combination with other procedures such as mouse guards or spot baiting to help get rid of voles.

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