Voles
What do voles look like?
The most common of the 8 Colorado vole species found in these parts is the western heather vole. They have short ears with stiff orange hair inside and a short thin tail which is paler underneath. Their long soft fur is brownish with silver grey underparts. They are roughly 5.5 inches long with a tail length shorter than one-half their body length, approximately 50 mm (2.0 in). They weigh about 1.4 oz.
Are voles dangerous?
Voles aren’t dangerous in the direct sense of aggression. Although they can bite, voles are timid creatures who very rarely bite. Their feces and urine are also potential harbors of dangerous diseases and parasites that can affect your pets as well as your family.
What do voles do?
Voles are active day and night, year-round, with peak activity occurring at dawn and dusk. They do not hibernate. Voles may cause extensive damage to tree plantings by gnawing on the bark of seedlings and mature trees (girdling). After the snow has melted in early spring, the runway systems of voles can also create unsightly areas in lawns, golf courses, and ground covers. However, this usually is only a temporary problem.
What is the life cycle of voles?
Their home range is usually ¼ acre or less, but this range varies with season, population density, habitat, and food supply. They usually live between two and six months. Large population fluctuations that range from 14 to 500 voles per acre are common. Their numbers generally peak every three to five years. Voles have three to six young per litter and three to 12 litters per year. Their gestation period ranges from 20 to 23 days, and they breed almost year around, although most reproduction occurs in spring, summer and fall.
Signs of voles around my home?
- Runways found on the top side of soil usually forming Y-shaped designs
- Small mounds of dirt indicating burrow entrances
- No growing vegetation
- freshly gnawed on grass blades
What should I do?
Most effective solution for voles is habitat modification involving the property owner implementing consistent mowing of the yard to a lowcut level, cutting back foliage near structural foundations, ensuring that gardens are secured, and seek out the addition of artificial treatments in the yard by a licensed professional.