Voles can cause significant damage in the garden by chewing on roots and plants. But how can you get rid of voles without resorting to poison or traps? In this article, you'll learn how to combat voles in the garden naturally and sustainably.
Interesting facts about voles
Voles are small rodents belonging to the vole family (Cricetidae). They reach a body length of 12 to 22 cm and have a relatively short tail. Their preferred habitats are moist meadows, fields, and semi-natural gardens with soft soil, in which they create their complex burrow systems. A vole can dig up to 100 meters of underground burrows, consuming enormous quantities of plant roots. Their life expectancy is typically one to two years, and they can produce several litters of up to ten young per year. This explains why vole populations can grow rapidly and why effective control is necessary.
Recognizing voles: How to identify the rodents in your garden
Voles (also called water voles) are rodents that live underground and feed on plant roots. Typical signs of a vole infestation include:
- Cut plants that die for no apparent reason
- Tunnel systems with flat, irregular excavations
- Gnawing marks on roots and tubers
Unlike moles, which feed on insects, voles cause immense damage to crops and ornamental plants. Therefore, it's important to take appropriate measures early on. Here's how to tell the difference between a vole and a mole.
What attracts voles in the garden?
To permanently eliminate voles, you should first understand what attracts them to your garden. The following factors favor an infestation:
- Loose, humus-rich soil : Ideal for digging the tunnels
- Food supply : Especially roots of vegetable plants, fruit trees and flower bulbs
- Unmaintained areas : Dense vegetation or mulch layers provide hiding places.
By keeping your garden structured and well-maintained, you can minimize the risk of vole infestation.
Get rid of voles: Natural methods without poison
Instead of using poison or traps, there are some environmentally friendly alternatives to combat voles:
1. Plant plants to repel voles
Which plants drive voles out of the garden?
There are certain plants that have a deterrent effect on voles. These include:
- Crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) : Its strong smell deters voles.
- Garlic and onions : These plants release scents that voles avoid.
- Sweet clover and daffodils : These plants are also unpopular with voles.
These plants can be strategically planted in beds or around vulnerable plants.
2. Use vole mesh
An effective, long-term protection option is vole mesh . This mesh is usually made of galvanized wire to prevent rodents from biting through it. The mesh is placed under raised beds, lawns, or buried around the roots of trees and shrubs to prevent the animals from accessing their food source.
3. Generate noise and vibrations
Voles are sensitive to vibrations and noise. Natural deterrents include:
- Set up wind chimes or rattles in the garden
- Regularly entering the affected areas where the voles seem to be
- Use special ultrasound devices
These methods cause the animals to feel disturbed and leave the area.
How can you get rid of voles and moles? What are the differences?
Unlike the vole, the mole is not a rodent and does not eat plants. It is a protected species and may not be actively controlled. However, moles can be repelled naturally:
- Use mole grids : These Mole grids are made of sturdy plastic, work similarly to vole grids and prevent molehills from digging and throwing.
- Use odorous substances : Pour buttermilk or sour milk into mole tunnels.
- Set up noise sources : wind turbines or ultrasonic devices help to scare away moles.
While moles are certainly beneficial for the soil, voles should be banished from the garden early to avoid plant damage.
Conclusion: Get rid of voles sustainably
Voles in the garden are a challenge, but with the right natural methods you can get rid of the rodents in the long term:
- Use deterrent plants such as crown imperial or garlic.
- Use vole mesh to protect delicate roots.
- Use noises and vibrations to scare the animals away.
- Keep the garden tidy and avoid hiding places.
With these measures you can successfully drive voles out of your garden without the use of poison or traps!
