Managing Voles and Other Garden Pests

Usually insects are the pests most people link with gardens, but voles and other animals can also do significant damage to plants, flowers and crops. Animal garden pests can be even harder to control than insects. Although they may learn their lesson when stopped by electric fencing, these intelligent animals can try other ways to get into a garden or even find a different plant to feast upon. Gardeners need to know what type of pest is disturbing their gardens before they can effectively solve the problem.

Voles as Garden Pests

Voles are small rodents that resemble pocket gophers. These mouse-like creatures have a heavy, compact body, a short furry tail, short legs, small eyes and ears that are partially hidden. Their coarse long fur is blackish-brown or gray. A full-grown vole measures 5 to 8 inches long, which includes the tail, notes the University of California.

Although voles can breed at any time of the year, they mostly breed in spring. Voles are exceptionally productive, as they can have as many as five to ten litters each year. A litter size can range from three to six baby voles. Moles rarely live past 12 months old.

Voles are active throughout the year, during both day and nighttime hours. They’re usually found where there is thick vegetation. These pests dig shallow, short burrows, making underground nests of stems, grass and leaves. In winter voles can burrow through snow. Limiting the amount of litter lying on the ground of a vegetable garden can help reduce or eliminate a vole problem.

Common Mammal Garden Pests

Although many types of mammals can cause damage to garden plants, some are more prominent than others.

• Chipmunks are known for invading gardens. They’re rodents living on burrows or tunnels that eat nuts, fruits, seeds and bulbs.
• Tree squirrels are pests that can be trapped in cages, with lures of peanut butter, sunflower seeds or raisins, and then be released.
• Rabbits live in thick grassy areas that feed on flowers, vegetables and tree bark.
• Groundhogs or woodchucks are rodents that feed on tender flowers, vegetables and flowers during early morning and late afternoon, notes the University of Vermont.
• Deer are mostly found in wooded areas, thickets and tall grass that mostly eat plants and bark of woody plants.

‘Although garden pests can cause many problems to plants, they can be managed. For example, poison bait is often used to kill rodents such as voles and mice. However, pet owners should realize that poison baits can also attract pets and other animals, so these baits shouldn’t be placed where they can be found by pets. Also, caution should be used when trapping large animals to avoid being bitten because many garden pests are carriers of rabies and other communicable diseases. By exercising common sense and managing pest control, gardeners can enjoy their gardens without worrying about losing their flowers and vegetables.

Resources

University of California: Pests in Gardens and Landscapes (date accessed 6/15/2010).

University of Vermont: Controlling Animal Pests in the Garden (date accessed 6/15/2010).