How do I get rid of Voles?

Question

We've tried everything we know of & nothing has worked so far. They are mainly killing our grass, and some flowers in my flower beds. No pets so we have tried a poison to eliminate these critters, so another kind of poison is an option. They are in the whole yard...front, sides & back. We possibly have a gopher and some kind of work, too! We're  desperate, so please help! Thank you!

Oliva · Answer

Try Alum in the holes, then pack the hole with dirt. As the critters come back out, they get Alum on themselves, lick it off, and without ready access to water, their throat swells shut. Alternatively, set traps or fire gas canisters for this purpose down the holes. If you have moles, you probably have grubs in your yard. Voles are attracted to seed heads from tall grass, bird feeders, etc. Eliminate any seed sources. For moles, apply Grub X using a drop spreader, to dry grass, then water in. You may not see good results until next year. You can also try dousing your yard in garlic spray, clove and citrus essential oils mixed with water, applied heavily. These critters can attract skunks, which will become yet another headache. If your yard has many weeds, your soil is too acidic. Apply lime, this fall. You may need to dethatch your lawn, and aerate, prior to liming.

Jerry · Answer

Try bubble gum or Juicy Fruit gum. Find the entrance to the burrow or probe with a metal rod to find the tunnel, then drop in a piece of unwrapped gum and seal the probe hole or entrance. The voles/gophers/moles are attracted to the sweet gum, will eat it, cannot digest it, and will die underground. No mess to clean up.

Carol Tate · Answer

We have a horrible issue with voles! I read somewhere to use instant mashed potato flakes. Pour them in the holes and the critters will eat them, the flakes will expand in their stomachs and kill them. I bought the flakes but haven't tried yet as we need to mow the lawn and it's been too hot. I assume the potato flakes would affect pets or other critters in the same way so I want to be sure to get them in the vole holes and reduce risk of affecting other animals.

Lynne · Answer

I used Poison Peanuts to get rid of the moles in my yard. It worked great and haven't seen one in years. I think I bought it at Lowes, or Home Depot.

Judy Simons · Answer

I have the same problem in my yard, Terri and I have been working on the grubs and bought the solar thing that are supposed to run them out of your yard, don’t waste your money, they do not work. I will try these new suggestions.

John · Answer

I got rid of moles in my yard by getting rid of what they eat, I spread a grub control on my lawn every spring.

Linda Duval · Answer

Seriously, get a cat. We had voles until we got a cat. 2 weeks they were gone.

Heather Kuder · Answer

Ok I have one of these issue critters so how do u know which ones u might have?

Terri · Answer

You can tell by the holes (no dirt mounds around the holes). Google voles vs moles. I think we have both in our yard, as well as worms. We are trying the “gum” method.

Rick · Answer

This article focuses a little more on prevention. https://metromolecontrol.com/vole/how-to-prevent-voles/

If you have voles you can either trap them with regular mousetraps baited with peanut butter and birdseed. Many people will drill a hole through the center of the trap and drive the trap into the ground with a nail. A vole is a bit larger than a mouse and this makes the trap more stable when it snaps. The other option is poison using a secure bait station. Commercial poison works better than most. Sometimes it's helpful to use different types of poisons. Voles can get used to one type of poison and simply ignore it.

Chloe Crabtree · Answer

In small areas, trapping may be an effective way of reducing vole populations. Try Havahart live vole traps situated perpendicular to the widest vole runways or near the nesting sites at the base of trees and shrubs. Bait traps with peanut butter. Set baits midday to early evening when voles get more active.

Libbie B · Answer

We tried the gum method, and it worked! IT took a while, and we had to be diligent.

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