Keep Voles at Bay: Building Wire Cages to Protect Your Plants
Many gardeners face the challenge of protecting their plants from pesky voles. These small mouse-like rodents are notorious for invading gardens and feasting on the roots of beloved plants, especially tulip bulbs, lilies, and hostas. Tulip bulbs, which many gardeners eagerly plant in the fall for spring blooms, are a favorite target. Lilies and hostas also fall prey to these little critters. To prevent voles from munching on your investments over the winter, you can plant them in a wire cage. This will safeguard your plants while allowing them to grow unmolested.
Materials Needed
To build a wire cage, you will need:
- Wire mesh, also called hardware cloth (½ inch gauge to allow stems to grow while keeping voles out)
- Wire cutters
- Tin Snips
- Gloves (to protect your hands)
- Wire (for securing the sides of the cage together)
- Tape measure
- Permanent marker
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Cut the Mesh: The wire mesh forms the body of the cage. You can build your cage any size you want, just remember, you need to bury it in the ground. The piece you cut should be twice the width plus twice the height of the cage. (for a 12x8x6 cage the piece would be 28”x12” [ 8”x2 + 6”x2 = 28”]) Measure and cut the wire mesh to your desired dimensions. Also, cut the ends of the cage. They will measure the width by the depth of your box. In the above example the ends would be 8”x6”. Trim away excess mesh wire ends.
2. Bend the Mesh: Mark the locations where the cage’s edges will be. Bend the wire at these marks to form a rectangular box shape. Using a table edge can help achieve clean bends.
3. Attach the Sides: Use wire to attach the two ends to the main bent mesh piece. Secure three sides on each end piece, leaving the cage top unattached to act as a lid.
4. Install the Cage: Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the cage. Place the cage in the hole. Fill the cage with soil and backfill around the cage. Only the very top of the cage and the lid should be visible above the soil.
5. Plant Your Bulbs: Add your tulip bulbs or other plants. The number you plant depends on the size of the cage.
6. Close the Cage: Once your bulbs are planted, wire the cage lid closed and cover the cage with soil. This will protect your plants from voles while allowing their stems to grow freely through the wire.
Maintenance and Considerations
While the cage is generally maintenance free when you dig up your bulbs or plants to divide them, it is recommended to check the cage and make sure the wire tying the sides together has not rusted away. If it has it will need to be replaced. The main cage is galvanized and should last decades in the soil.
Related Videos:
Voles
How to Plant Flower Bulbs
Vole Proofing and Planting Hostas
Related Resources:
Voles
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Fall Planted Bulbs and Corms
Materials Needed
To build a wire cage, you will need:
- Wire mesh, also called hardware cloth (½ inch gauge to allow stems to grow while keeping voles out)
- Wire cutters
- Tin Snips
- Gloves (to protect your hands)
- Wire (for securing the sides of the cage together)
- Tape measure
- Permanent marker
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Cut the Mesh: The wire mesh forms the body of the cage. You can build your cage any size you want, just remember, you need to bury it in the ground. The piece you cut should be twice the width plus twice the height of the cage. (for a 12x8x6 cage the piece would be 28”x12” [ 8”x2 + 6”x2 = 28”]) Measure and cut the wire mesh to your desired dimensions. Also, cut the ends of the cage. They will measure the width by the depth of your box. In the above example the ends would be 8”x6”. Trim away excess mesh wire ends.
2. Bend the Mesh: Mark the locations where the cage’s edges will be. Bend the wire at these marks to form a rectangular box shape. Using a table edge can help achieve clean bends.
3. Attach the Sides: Use wire to attach the two ends to the main bent mesh piece. Secure three sides on each end piece, leaving the cage top unattached to act as a lid.
4. Install the Cage: Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the cage. Place the cage in the hole. Fill the cage with soil and backfill around the cage. Only the very top of the cage and the lid should be visible above the soil.
5. Plant Your Bulbs: Add your tulip bulbs or other plants. The number you plant depends on the size of the cage.
6. Close the Cage: Once your bulbs are planted, wire the cage lid closed and cover the cage with soil. This will protect your plants from voles while allowing their stems to grow freely through the wire.
Maintenance and Considerations
While the cage is generally maintenance free when you dig up your bulbs or plants to divide them, it is recommended to check the cage and make sure the wire tying the sides together has not rusted away. If it has it will need to be replaced. The main cage is galvanized and should last decades in the soil.
Related Videos:
Voles
How to Plant Flower Bulbs
Vole Proofing and Planting Hostas
Related Resources:
Voles
Spring Flowering Bulbs
Fall Planted Bulbs and Corms