How to Get Rid of Voles

Voles are small, ground-dwelling rodents commonly found throughout the Treasure Valley. While they may resemble mice, their behavior and the damage they cause are very different—especially during Idaho winters. Voles tunnel through lawns and landscapes, feeding on roots, bulbs, and vegetation. Their activity can leave behind spongy soil, dead grass, and long runways that create an unsightly mess in yards.

Understanding how voles live and what attracts them is the first step toward preventing costly lawn damage. Below is a guide to identifying vole activity and the most effective ways Boise homeowners can get rid of them.

What Does a Vole Look Like?

Voles have a stocky body, short tail, and small eyes and ears. They are typically 4–6 inches long and range in color from brown to gray. Unlike mice—which are adapted for climbing—voles are built for life at ground level and spend most of their time in shallow tunnel systems beneath lawns and landscaped beds.

Key features that distinguish voles from mice include:

• Short, barely visible tail
• Stocky body and rounded snout
• Dense fur that thickens in winter
• Surface runways in grass

Where Do Voles Live?

Voles thrive in areas with thick vegetation, gardens, mulch beds, and tall grass. In Boise and surrounding Idaho communities, they are especially active during winter when snow cover provides protection from predators. Beneath the snow, they create extensive tunnels and runways while feeding on roots, bulbs, and bark.

Common vole habitats in residential areas include:

• Lawn and turf areas
• Flower beds and mulch beds
• Rock retaining walls and groundcover plants
• Perimeter of sheds, fencing, and outbuildings
• Orchards, gardens, and raised beds

Signs of Vole Damage

Voles leave very distinct patterns in landscaping. Homeowners often confuse vole activity with gophers or moles, but each causes different types of damage.

Common signs of voles include:

• Surface runways: Narrow paths 1–2 inches wide running through dead or matted grass.
• Gnawing on shrubs or trees: Voles chew bark in a characteristic “V” pattern near the base of plants.
• Tunnel openings: Small holes (typically 1–2 inches wide) near foundations, lawns, or garden beds.
• Root damage: Dead patches of lawn caused by voles feeding on roots below the surface.

Unlike gophers, voles do not create large mounds and do not leave piles of dirt around tunnel entrances.

Are Voles Harmful?

Voles are not dangerous to humans, but they can cause significant—and expensive—damage to landscaping. Their feeding can kill plants, shrubs, and young trees, and their runway systems leave unsightly patterns that require reseeding or repair in the spring.

Because they reproduce quickly (up to 5–10 litters per year), vole problems can escalate rapidly if not controlled early.

How to Get Rid of Voles

Getting rid of voles requires reducing food sources, eliminating shelter, and placing effective control measures in the areas where they are most active. Here are the most effective strategies Boise homeowners can use:

1. Clean Up Landscaping & Remove Shelter

• Trim grass short—voles avoid open, exposed areas.
• Reduce thick mulch layers around plants.
• Remove fallen fruit, dense groundcover, and heavy thatch buildup.
• Store firewood off the ground and away from the home.

A cleaner, more open yard is far less appealing to voles.

2. Protect Trees & Garden Beds

• Use hardware cloth (¼-inch mesh) around the base of young trees to prevent gnawing.
• Install underground barriers around raised beds or high-risk areas.
• Place metal mesh or fencing 6–10 inches deep around vulnerable vegetation.

3. Use Vole Traps

Snap traps or covered bait stations placed directly along active runways are highly effective. Voles rarely leave their established paths, so proper placement is critical.

• Place traps perpendicular to the runway.
• Cover traps with a box or bucket to prevent pets and wildlife from accessing them.
• Check and reset frequently for best results.

4. Repellents (Limited Effectiveness)

Castor-oil-based repellents or strong-scented plants (such as mint, garlic, or chives) may help in low-pressure situations, but they rarely eliminate an active vole population on their own.

Repellents work best when combined with habitat modification and trapping.

5. Professional Vole Control

If voles have caused widespread lawn damage or continue to return each season, professional wildlife control is usually required. Pestcom provides targeted vole management—including trapping, monitoring, and habitat recommendations—to protect Boise properties from recurring damage.

Our local technicians know the behavior patterns specific to Idaho’s climate, soil conditions, and seasonal vole activity, ensuring the most effective long-term solution.

Final Thoughts

Voles can cause serious damage to lawns, gardens, and landscaping throughout the Treasure Valley, especially during winter months. Early identification and swift action are key to preventing costly repairs in the spring.

If you suspect vole activity in your yard, contact Pestcom for a professional inspection and customized treatment plan to get your property back on track.