How To Get Rid Of Voles

Getting rid of voles on your own can be challenging because they reproduce quickly and create extensive underground tunnel systems, but it is possible with the right combination of habitat modification, trapping, and repellents. Here’s how homeowners and business owners can get a handle on a vole problem themselves:

Identify the Problem

Before taking action, confirm that you’re dealing with voles and not moles or mice.

Vole signs: Shallow surface runways (1–2 inches wide) through grass, small burrow openings (about 1–1.5 inches wide), and gnaw marks on tree bark, roots, or bulbs.
Activity: Most active under snow cover or dense vegetation, and population spikes often occur in fall and early spring.

Modify the Habitat

Reducing cover and food sources is the single most important step.

Mow grass and remove weeds: Voles prefer thick ground cover for protection from predators.
Eliminate mulch build-up: Keep mulch around trees and shrubs less than 1 inch deep and at least 6 inches away from trunks.
Reduce clutter and debris: Clear away piles of leaves, wood, and tall vegetation near structures and gardens.
Remove attractants: Harvest fallen fruit and clean up birdseed regularly.

Use Physical Barriers

Barriers help protect vulnerable areas from vole damage.

Tree guards: Use ¼-inch hardware cloth around the base of young trees, extending 2–3 inches below ground and 18 inches above.
Garden fencing: Bury fine mesh or hardware cloth 6–10 inches deep and at least 12 inches high around garden beds.

Trap Strategically

Trapping is effective for small infestations or concentrated areas.

Best traps: Standard snap traps (the same type used for mice) baited with apple slices, peanut butter, or oatmeal.
Placement: Set traps perpendicular to active runways with the trigger end in the path.
Quantity: Use many traps at once—10 or more per small yard area—for faster results.
Timing: Check traps daily and rebait as needed.

Apply Repellents

Repellents work best as part of a broader control plan.

Types: Castor oil-based liquid repellents, predator urine, or granular products with garlic or capsaicin.
Application: Treat active runways and entry points around gardens, sheds, and foundations. Reapply after heavy rain or irrigation.
Limitations: Repellents discourage voles temporarily—they rarely eliminate established infestations on their own.

Consider Baiting (With Caution)

Rodenticides labeled for voles can be used outdoors, but they must be handled responsibly.

Products: Use only EPA-registered vole baits with zinc phosphide or anticoagulants.
Placement: Always place bait inside tamper-resistant bait stations to protect pets and wildlife.
Note: Local regulations may restrict the use of certain rodenticides, so check your state or municipal guidelines before applying.

Monitor and Maintain

After initial control, ongoing monitoring is key to preventing re-infestation.

Inspect your property seasonally for new runways or burrows.
Keep vegetation trimmed and remove potential nesting cover.
Refresh repellents periodically to maintain deterrence.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Voles

While do-it-yourself vole control methods can offer temporary relief, our professional pest control provides a far more effective, lasting solution. Voles are persistent pests with extensive underground tunnel systems, rapid breeding cycles, and the ability to evade many consumer-level traps and repellents. Our professionals have the experience, tools, and treatment strategies necessary to eliminate existing infestations and prevent them from returning.

Accurate Identification and Assessment: Many homeowners mistake vole activity for moles, shrews, or mice, leading to ineffective control efforts. A trained pest control technician can correctly identify the species involved and determine the extent of the infestation. This precise assessment ensures that every treatment—whether trapping, baiting, or habitat modification—is tailored to the pest’s behavior and environment.
Targeted, Professional-Grade Treatments: Our licensed pest control professionals have access to high-quality traps, baits, and exclusion materials that are not available to the general public. These products are stronger, longer-lasting, and specifically formulated for vole control. Additionally, our professionals know where to strategically place traps and bait stations for maximum effectiveness while minimizing risk to pets, wildlife, and humans.
Comprehensive Habitat and Property Management: Eliminating voles requires more than killing the existing population—it involves modifying the conditions that allow them to thrive. Our pest control experts evaluate landscaping, vegetation density, mulch depth, and other environmental factors that attract voles. We then provide actionable recommendations or direct assistance in altering the habitat to make the property less hospitable to future infestations.
Safe and Environmentally Responsible Practices: Improper handling of rodenticides or overuse of repellents can endanger non-target animals and contaminate soil or water sources. Our professionals follow strict safety protocols and EPA-approved application methods to ensure all treatments are both effective and environmentally responsible. Our training focuses on minimizing risks while achieving lasting results.
Long-Term Prevention and Monitoring: One of the greatest advantages of hiring our team of pest control professionals is ongoing protection. After the initial treatment, our technicians monitor the property for renewed activity and adjust prevention strategies as needed. This proactive approach prevents recurring damage to lawns, trees, and gardens, ultimately saving property owners time, money, and frustration.
Guaranteed Results and Peace of Mind: We provide a warranty and service guarantee for vole removal. This assurance means that if the voles return, follow-up treatments will be provided at no additional cost. Home and business owners gain the peace of mind that comes from knowing the problem will be handled correctly the first time.

Our professional vole control delivers results that DIY methods simply can’t match. Through accurate identification, targeted treatments, expert habitat management, and ongoing monitoring, our pest control specialists can eradicate vole populations efficiently and prevent them from coming back. For property owners dealing with extensive burrows or costly landscape damage, investing in our professional pest management is the most reliable and cost-effective solution.

Get Rid Of Voles With Miche Pest Control

Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:

Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.

Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!