## Will Voles Eat My Vegetable Garden?
Voles are small, mouse-like rodents that can cause extensive damage to vegetable gardens. They are particularly fond of root vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and turnips, but they will also eat leaves, stems, and flowers. Voles can be a nuisance in any garden, but they are especially problematic in areas where the soil is loose and well-drained.
### How to Identify Voles
Voles are typically brown or gray in color, with a short tail and small ears. They are about the size of a mouse, but they have a more stocky build. Voles are often mistaken for moles, but there are a few key differences between the two animals. Moles have long, pointed snouts, while voles have short, blunt snouts. Moles also have large, paddle-like front feet that they use for digging, while voles have small, delicate feet.
### Signs of Vole Damage
There are a few telltale signs that voles have been active in your garden. These include:
– Runways: Voles create runways through the grass and other vegetation in your garden. These runways are typically about 2 inches wide and are often lined with droppings.
– Holes: Voles dig shallow holes in the ground, often near the base of plants. These holes are typically about 2 inches in diameter and are often covered with loose soil.
– Gnaw marks: Voles will gnaw on the stems and leaves of plants. The gnaw marks are typically ragged and uneven.
– Damaged roots: Voles will eat the roots of plants, causing them to wilt and die.
### How to Control Voles
There are a number of things you can do to control voles in your garden. These include:
– Exclusion: The best way to control voles is to exclude them from your garden. You can do this by fencing your garden or by using raised beds.
– Trapping: You can also trap voles using live traps or snap traps. Be sure to bait the traps with something that voles like to eat, such as peanut butter or apple slices.
– Repellents: There are a number of commercial repellents available that can help to deter voles from your garden. These repellents typically contain ingredients such as castor oil or peppermint oil.
– Natural predators: Voles are preyed upon by a number of natural predators, including owls, hawks, and snakes. You can encourage these predators to visit your garden by providing them with nesting boxes or perches.
### Conclusion
Voles can be a nuisance in any garden, but they are especially problematic in vegetable gardens. By following the tips above, you can help to control voles and protect your crops.