Video about fighting with volesIn this article we will tell you about how Western farmers are struggling with this scourge. A bit of the theory of
Voles are small rodents, which are also called field or meadow mice because of external similarities. Two types of voles are widespread in North America: steppe and meadow. The habitat of the former is prairie, while the latter live absolutely everywhere, therefore they are more numerous. They are very similar to each other, and the methods of control and control are almost the same.
These, at first glance, cute rodents can cause significant damage to your garden. Do not confuse them with mice that do not cause such damage. Voles are happy to eat a variety of plants, as well as the bark of some trees. If you find that your landing has been attacked, by all means conduct an inspection to identify unwanted guests.
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How to identify a vole
You can distinguish a vole by rounded ears that are often hidden by wool, small eyes and a short tail. These are small squat rodents, similar to field mice. Thick fur is usually light brown or gray. Animals love fields rich in weeds and ground cover plants. They are active both day and night, especially in the early hours and twilight.
You will immediately recognize voles from snake-like tunnels laid across all corners of the garden. They are most active in the spring, and then their maniacal urge to dig dies out. Rodents love to undermine the roots and bulbs through the holes, and then methodically gnaw them. If you began to detect half-eaten carrots and potatoes, then a vole started in your garden. Pests love to build their nests at the base of trees and shrubs, which can harm the roots, especially because these rodents love to chew bark.
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How to get rid of vole
The following are some effective ways to deal with small rodents. Some of them will work exactly in your case.
Try to install humane traps near the holes and nesting places in the bushes. Place peanut butter baits in the early evening when voles are particularly active and move the traps as much as you need to get rid of them. Take prisoners away from the site and release in the field.
In this case, patience and perseverance will be the key to success.
If the problem has reached its apogee, you can lime the rodents with rodenticide. Consult a gardening management to find an effective and approved drug.
To scare a vole away from chewing on the bulbs, add gravel to the pit at the time of planting. You can also moisten the roots with a fungicide to ward off pests. In addition, there are varieties of onions resistant to rodents.
A good way to plant onions in the fall.
Preventive measures
In order to discourage the voles from invading your garden early on, there are several simple ways. Preferring dense protective vegetation of weeds and mulch, which provides food and protects against predators, rodents react negatively to active weeding and trimming of bushes. Make your yard inhospitable for voles, creating a maximum of clean space.
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Fortunately, these noxious animals are not the best climbers. Therefore, to protect the planting of vegetables from rodents, surround them with a metal grid, at least 30 cm high, and dig it into the ground to the same depth.
Of course, the best guard will be a street cat that effectively fights all types of pests.
Most of the ways that you can use to get rid of mice can also be applied to voles. Always remember about the humane ways of struggle, leaving animals unscathed, if there is no urgent need to use chemicals.
Video on the fight against voles
