What Is Vole Damage? 

What Are Voles? 

Voles are small rodents very similar in size and appearance to mice. They are herbaceous and tend to be prevalent in areas that can provide them with suitable cover to hide from predators and other dangers. These can include wooded areas, parklands, bushes and shrubs, and tall grasses. 

Vole damage is most prominent during winters with long, continuous periods of snow coverage. The snow provides the voles with a sense of protection from natural predators, as they can move about freely under the snow cover without exposure to the outside dangers.

How Does Vole Damage Happen?

Voles tunnel along the surface of the lawn and are protected by the snow that blankets the ground. The pesky critters create turf damage by feeding on the grass plants tissue and also from continuous “wear” from the traffic of tunnelling back and forth across the lawn. Voles do not feed on the roots or crown of the grass plant, and therefore the damage they cause is usually not considered severe. 

Recovery can often take place on its own when damage is minor. If your lawn is damaged,  lightly raking up the areas of matted down turf can usually do the trick. When damage is more severe and the tunneling has been extensive, a more aggressive approach including overseeding, topdressing,  and slitseeding may be required to repair the damage.

Follow us on Facebook or Pinterest for more turf tips and tricks