Voles can destroy roots and thus entire plants. Preventing them biologically and preventing them from spreading is therefore of crucial importance. Here's how it works.
What are voles?
The scientific name of these mammals is Arvicolinae. This subfamily includes more than 150 species. Because of this enormous variety, there are significant differences in size and weight. When people talk directly about voles, they usually refer to these species:
- Earth mouse
- Field mouse
- Shrew
Note: Although the shrew does not belong to the voles scientifically, the tiny animals are often mistaken for it. Visually, they are not only recognizable by their small size, but also by their very pointed nose.
Recognize voles
The animals themselves are seldom directly visible. However, they leave traces that are comparatively easy to identify. This includes:
- Feeding marks on tubers, roots and other parts of plants
- possibly unpleasant smell of feces and urine
- small holes in the ground on beds or the lawn
- inexplicable incoming plants
Often the holes in the ground are particularly noticeable when mowing the lawn and pulling weeds, because voles are rarely found in houses and other buildings. In contrast to the traces of moles, however, there are no piles of earth at the exits and entrances.
prevention
As always, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken when laying out the garden.
Predators
One
The natural design of the garden allows the voles' predators to settle and create a natural balance. It is sufficient to let the grass stand higher in a small area, to offer perches and hiding places such as piles of stones.The predators include:
- foxes
- Cats
- Martens and weasels
- Birds of prey, such as the common buzzard
Growths
Some plants scare off voles. For example:
- Imperial Crown
- garlic
- Daffodils
- Sweet clover
- Grape hyacinth
- Milkweed
- Onions
Note: Plant the plants as evenly as possible in the garden. Otherwise the animals only learn to avoid them.
Lawn edging stones and mouse wire
The corridors of voles can be 50 to 80 square meters. Gardens with demarcated and subdivided areas are therefore less interesting for them. By dividing beds and using mouse wire around roots, a certain amount of protection can be created. Although this method does not offer a guarantee against the animals, the risk of an infestation is reduced.
Raised beds
Raised beds are another way of preventing voles and other pests. When the floor is sealed,
an intrusion of the animals is much less likely. There are also other advantages with the raised beds. Including:- faster and higher yields
- Protection against snails
- Prevention of rats
Vole Control
If there are already mice in the garden, the preventive measures mentioned can still be useful. But more is required for direct control.
Buttermilk
Fermented buttermilk has a very intense odor. This is supposed to keep the burrowing mice away. However, this has not been proven. The home remedy is organic and simple, cheap and can be made within one to three days, but its effectiveness is questionable. In addition, the smell can have an overall annoying effect. An enormous amount has to be used, especially when there are several holes or larger areas. Among other things, this can attract insects and generally make being in the garden uncomfortable.
Feces and urine
Dogs and cats are natural enemies of voles. Their smell alone can therefore have a deterrent effect and help combat it. Feces and urine are most effective. You can fill these remedies directly into the voles' holes, for example in the form of used cat litter. However, some mice get used to it over time.
fur
To simulate the presence of dogs and cats, fur can be used instead of faeces and urine. After brushing, the combed out hair is best shaped into small matted balls and put into the exits of the mouse holes.
Tip: Only use animal home remedies if there is no allergy. Otherwise, the allergens it contains can make it difficult to be in the garden.
Noises and movements
Frequent work and movement in the garden, such as mowing the lawn, children playing or pets, also contribute to vole control. They make the area less attractive for the animals, so that frequent use of one's own green can have both a preventive and a deterrent effect.
Alternatively, there are also special devices on the market that are supposed to have a driving effect due to particularly high frequencies. However, the animals often get used to it and the hoped-for effect does not materialize. Other useful animals and pets can also feel disturbed by the sound, as can
Children and young people. Therefore, exercise caution when using it.light
Voles are also crepuscular and nocturnal in the garden. If they are disturbed by motion detectors and bright light, they quickly look for a new living space. Make sure that the sensors are aligned in such a way that movements at the entrances or the holes in the mouse passages trigger the light to be switched on. A possible disadvantage of this in itself simple means is that other nocturnal animals are also driven away. Since these are owls, foxes, cats and martens, the voles' natural predators are also driven away.
Seal holes
It is often recommended to seal the holes in the corridors. For example, stones can be poured in or slabs can be placed on top of it. The potential disadvantage of this is that the animals create new exits. After that, the earth only shows more holes. In combination with other methods and means, covering can still help to make your own garden an unsuitable habitat for voles.
water
Submerging the animal's burrow can be very effective. It is also biological and therefore environmentally friendly. Often this measure has to be repeated several times in order to be effective.
Falling
Live traps as well as deadly traps are very efficient methods of vole control. Live traps are gentler, but the subsequent release of the animals requires more effort. Suitable baits include:
- Carrots
- celery
- Jerusalem artichoke
Poison bait
Poison bait and poison in general can work quickly, but pose a danger to children, animals and the environment. This poses a risk to useful animals as well as pets and children.
If safe use cannot be guaranteed, you should refrain from using it.
diversion
Instead of fighting the voles, protective measures can also be taken and distractions created. For this purpose, it is advisable to plant the animals' preferred plants in the near-natural section of the garden. These are the types that can also be used as bait. Root vegetables and beets such as carrots, celery and Jerusalem artichoke are easy to care for and ideally suited.