Q&A – I have a “no-mow” area. I have noticed several holes. Do I have voles?
Question:
I got into the practice of leaving a "no mow" area along my backyard fence for wildflowers and pollinators. All has been fine until recently. I have noticed several holes around my house and backyard fence. I have not witnessed any kind of rodent, but I think I have voles. Do they eat wildflowers and their seeds? How do I get rid of them? I don’t want them around my yard.
Answer:
Yes, you do have voles. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says the voles like undisturbed places with a food source and you are providing both. He says there are no effective ways to prevent voles from living in the area. Poison and traps will only get a small number of the population. To eliminate the voles, you need to start mowing the area. The voles will move away.
Related Resources:
Voles
Controlling Vole Damage
I got into the practice of leaving a "no mow" area along my backyard fence for wildflowers and pollinators. All has been fine until recently. I have noticed several holes around my house and backyard fence. I have not witnessed any kind of rodent, but I think I have voles. Do they eat wildflowers and their seeds? How do I get rid of them? I don’t want them around my yard.
Answer:
Yes, you do have voles. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says the voles like undisturbed places with a food source and you are providing both. He says there are no effective ways to prevent voles from living in the area. Poison and traps will only get a small number of the population. To eliminate the voles, you need to start mowing the area. The voles will move away.
Related Resources:
Voles
Controlling Vole Damage