Voles are small, mouse-like rodents that occur throughout most of North America. Though they commonly are called meadow mice or field mice, they are distinguished from true mice by their short tails (about one inch long), stocky build and small eyes (Figure 1).

Voles can cause problems by damaging lawns, gardens, tree plantings and other plants.

Figure 1. Prairie vole

Voles are an important food source for many predators, including snakes, hawks, owls, coyotes, weasels, foxes, mink and badgers. Mortality rates for voles are very high. Life expectancy in the wild often does not exceed two months, and few ever live longer than 16 months. Not surprisingly, voles are very prolific animals, although the pine vole is less so than meadow or prairie voles.

The breeding season for all voles encompasses most of the year although peaks occur in spring and fall. Prairie and meadow voles normally have five to 10 litters per year and average three to five young per litter. Pine voles have one to six litters per year and average two to four young per litter. The gestation period is about 21 days. One meadow vole held in captivity had 17 litters during one year, totaling 83 young. One of the females from her first litter had 13 litters, totaling 78 young before she was one-year-old.

Many vole populations are cyclic. In North America, population peaks occur about every four years. These are not necessarily regular cycles, nor do they usually involve spectacular population explosions. Occasionally, population explosions occur that last about a year before the population crashes. These peaks have resulted in severe crop damage problems.

Prairie and meadow voles inhabit pastures, roadsides, alfalfa fields and other grassy or weedy sites. Preferred habitats include areas with fairly dense ground vegetation. Meadow voles are more common in low, moist areas or upland sites near water. Pine voles live in timbered areas, underground or under the forest litter. They also inhabit fields surrounding timber, if enough ground cover is present.

Prairie and meadow voles construct surface runways that are easy to recognize by the closely clipped vegetation within them. Small holes lead to underground runways and nesting areas. Pine voles have extensive underground runway systems, and spend little time above the leaf litter and ground cover layer.

The three species of voles differ in color, general size and relative length of tail, but it usually isn't necessary to distinguish between the species to control the damage they cause.

Since pine voles spend almost all of their time underground, control strategies may need to be different from those for prairie or meadow voles. It may be easiest to determine if pine voles are suspect by the location of the damage (underground versus above-ground) and the lack of surface runway systems.

Probably the most extensive and costly damage caused by voles occurs to woody plants in winter. At times voles severely damage or kill many young trees and shrubs, including orchard, windbreak and landscape plantings (Figure 2). Voles will eat the green inner bark layer of trees and shrubs when preferred foods are unavailable.

Figure 2. Vole damage may severely damage or kill small trees.

Figure 2

Pine voles spend a much greater part of their time underground. and eat a much larger portion of roots and tubers than meadow and prairie voles. Voles also cause damage by clipping and feeding on other plants we . value. They eat leaves, shoots, roots, tubers and seeds of most grasses and broadleafed flowering plants. Voles can damage or consume flower bulbs, garden plants and vegetables, field crops and forage crops. Voles can damage lawns by constructing runways and clipping grass permanent, it may detract from the appearance of a well-kept lawn.

Signs found at the damage scene will help you identify the species at fault. The presence of prairie and meadow voles in an area usually is determined by finding their characteristic surface runways (Figure 3). The runways consist of closely clipped vegetation, about one to two inches wide.

Figure 3. Surface runway system of the prairie vole. 
Vole damage to woody plants usually occurs during late fall through early spring. During these months green vegetation is scarce, so voles feed on woody plants, which they prefer less. Voles tunnel through snow, and may gnaw on trees and shrubs up to the height that snow accumulates during winter. Individual tooth marks (about one-sixteenth inch wide) may be visible on the wood after winter vole damage (Figure 4). Rabbits leave tooth marks that are larger, about one-eighth inch wide. The gnawing marks left by voles will be irregular in appearance and at various angles. Pine voles, and occasionally meadow and prairie voles, tunnel below ground and feed on roots of trees and shrubs.

Figure 4. Vole toothmarks are about one-sixteenth inch wide. 
Voles occasionally will use tunnels developed by moles to gain access to flower bulbs and other plant roots. This damage often is blamed on moles by mistake. Moles feed on insects and earthworms and rarely consume plant materials 

Figure 4

The presence of voles does not always result in significant property damage. However, because of their prolific and cyclic nature, high populations can build up quickly and can be cause for concern.

Before undertaking control, consider the extent of the problem in relation to the cost of control. For example, a few voles could damage a highly valued tree or flower bed and warrant control. At other times, they may go virtually unnoticed, making control unnecessary.

Generally, there is a direct relationship between vole populations and the expected overall level of damage. Remember that damage prevention is more beneficial than population control after the damage has occurred..

Reducing the suitability of habitat for voles lessens the likelihood of future damage. High vole populations cannot become established without food and protection from predators. Grass and weeds can be controlled around young trees and shrubs through cultivation, herbicides and mowing. Normal cultural practices employed in establishing windbreaks, orchards and other woody plantings often are effective in reducing vole habitat and potential population highs.

When food and cover are nearby during the growing season, extensive damage still may occur to trees and shrubs where snow accumulates because snow acts as protective cover. Strategies other than habitat modification may be needed where high vole populations exist in the fall near woody plantings. 

Exclusion is a practical method of protecting highly valued flower beds, gardens and trees from vole damage. Voles can be discouraged by installing woven wire or hardware cloth fences (one- fourth inch or smaller mesh) around small flower beds or gardens. The fence should be about 12 inches high and the bottom should be tight to the ground or buried slightly. Where pine voles are a problem, the fence should extend about six inches below ground. Fences also help keep out other wildlife that cause damage, such as rabbits and ground squirrels.

Figure 5. A cylinder of hardware cloth or other wire mesh to protect trees from vole damage. 
Place woven wire or hardware cloth cylinders around individual trees or shrubs (Figure 5). Again, the cylinder should be tight to the ground or buried slightly, but should extend higher than the maximum snow depth in winter, including drifts. Where rabbits also are a potential problem, the height should be at least two feet above the snow depth, if possible. When making the cylinder, overlap the edges at least one inch and fasten securely so gaps do not form that could admit voles. These cylinders should last about five years, so make them large enough in diameter to accommodate expected trunk growth if they remain in place during the growing season. 

Figure 5

Various "hot sauce" repellents are registered for vole damage control on ornamental plants. They are not registered for use on gardens or plant parts destined for human consumption. 
Repellents are relatively expensive and provide only short term protection. Precipitation may wash some off. When foods are in short supply, such as in winter, the effectiveness of repellents usually decreases. 

Single trap set in vole runway, or two traps set back-to-back. 
Voles can be controlled easily by trapping if only a few are causing problems. Set single mouse snap traps perpendicular to vole runaways, with the triggers in the runways. Or, set two traps together within the runway, with the triggers facing away from each other . (Mouse Traps) Peanut butter mixed with oatmeal makes a good bait to place on the trap triggers. 

Reduction of large vole populations is accomplished most effectively with Baits

Bait may be applied by hand in spot treatments by placing bait in runways or burrow openings. Hand-baiting is the only application method that can be used in urban areas such as lawns, ornamental plantings, parks and golf courses. Toxic bait also may be broadcast-applied according to label directions. Broadcasting will increase the amount of bait applied per acre and the hazard to non-target wildlife. Use of toxic bait is most appropriate in young woody plantings or orchards, when habitat reduction efforts have failed to keep vole populations in control. Remember to read all pesticide product labels thoroughly and comply with all directions given.

Use pesticides safely. All toxicants and fumigants used to control voles can be hazardous to humans, pets, livestock and non- target wildlife if used improperly. 

As in most vertebrate pest situations, a combination of methods may be more effective than relying on any one method for vole damage control. Most vole damage problems in urban and backyard areas probably involve small vole populations that can be controlled with habitat modifications, fencing or exclusion, snap-trapping and repellents. Non-urban vole damage situations may involve larger vole populations over greater areas, and can be dealt with by habitat modifications, repellents, and lethal baits when necessary.

(Courtesy of Nebraska University and Colorado University)

Kaput® Rat, Mouse & Vole Poison Bait

.

	Or
Kaput® Mouse Poison Bait Blocks		Kaput® Rat, Mouse & Vole Poison Bait

Control of Deer Mice & White-footed Mice. This is the only product available for use specifically against these two public health menaces.

Hantavirus is a deadly disease spread over most of the U.S. As of June 2002, of the 318 human cases reported by the CDC, from 31 states, 37% have been fatal. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are a major host of the virus. The virus is transmitted to humans via dust that is inhaled after it has been contaminated by the mouse’s saliva, urine, and feces.

The white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) is distributed through the contiguous 48 states of the U.S. This mouse plays a vital role in the life cycle of Lyme Disease. According to the CDC, over 16,000 human cases of Lyme Disease were reported during the year 2000. Although it is infected ticks that bite humans and pets, the white-footed mouse is the source of the bacteria that causes the disease. The larva tick, soon after it hatches, feeds on the mouse and gets infected. Elimination of this mouse species near homes and businesses can reduce this public health threat.

Safeguard your family and business health by using Kaput® Poison Mouse Blocks.

Kaput® Poison Bait Block
For the Control of Deer Mice and White-footed Mice

The white-footed mouse is an important vector in the life cycle of Lyme Disease. When a tick hatches, it seeks a single blood meal. In the mid-west, northeast, and southern states, the tick will feed on the white-footed mouse. The larva picks up the infection from the white-footed mouse. The following season, the nymphal or adult will seek a blood mean, and often this is a human (in the backyard, camping, or hiking). In biting the human the bacteria that causes Lyme disease is transmitted the person, which develops into Lyme disease within a couple of weeks.

Kaput® Poison Bait Block is the only product approved in the US to control the white-footed mouse, an important vector that contributes to the spread of a very serious disease.

About Mice:
General Biology: (House mice, deer mice and white-footed mice)

• Life span is 1-2 years

• Can have as many as 8 litters in one year. Breeding life of females 6-10 litters.

• Litter size is usually 6 young. Young mice can begin breeding at 6-10 weeks of age. 

• Eyesight is poor; however, very good sense of smell, hearing and touch 

• Mice are omnivorous, meaning they will eat various foods such as grains, insects, seeds, fruit, vegetation, etc.

• Active mostly at night, but can be seen during the day 

• Live in a hierarchical system with dominant males ruling a territory 

• All mature mice tend to show aggression toward strange individuals of either sex 

• House mice are gray to brown on back with underside a lighter shade of color on back, sometimes creamy 

• Deer mice and white-footed mice have larger eyes and ears than the house mouse. Deer mice and white-footed mice also are light brown/tan on top, with a distinctly white underside 

• Deer mice have a distinct bi-colored tail that is white on bottom, and white-footed mice do not

Interesting Facts:

• Mice contaminate food and grain more so than rats. In 6 months one pair can consume about 4 lbs. of food and deposit about 18,000 droppings.

• Quick to explore any physical changes in their environment 

• Capable swimmers if they need to be 

• Can squeeze through openings slightly larger than ¼ inch in diameter 

• They are excellent jumpers for their size, and can jump a foot high from the floor to an elevated flat surface 

• When rats are eliminated, house mice move in, or increase in population. 

• Reportedly house mice will drive away deer mice and white-footed mice.

 Why Rodent Control:

• World Health Organization estimates that about 33 million tons of food is destroyed world-wide each year. 

• Rodents destroy property by their constant chewing. 

• Rodents can put livestock at risk of death and disease. 

• Rodents can carry diseases to humans such as rat bite fever, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and plague to name a few.

Deer mouse range	White-footed mouse range

Label

MSDS

 

RISKS

At Scimetrics, we are committed to developing effective pest control products that pose minimal threat to non-targeted animals. Our use of warfarin as a main ingredient in our products reduces toxicity to household pets. We use warfarin the active ingredient in most of our products.

Our experience with second generation rodenticides prompted us to organize a plan to reintroduce baits into the marketplace that are a lower risk to pets and wildlife. As a result, in 1995 we actively began developing formulations containing warfarin for mole, rats, mice, and other rodents. A recent risk assessment published by the United States Environment Protection Agency, presented warfarin as the lowest risk to mammals and birds of the anticoagulants.

Below are slides pulled from an EPA report on how warfarin poses a lower risk factor to non-target animals that other commonly used rodent control compounds.

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