Voles

Voles are active both day and night, but especially during dusk and dawn. They build system of burrows, usually located just under the surface of the ground, often protected by storage buildings or piles of debris such as rocks, firewood or lumber. Voles dig tunnels from their burrows to feeding sites that appear to “snake” through ground vegetation. Several voles can inhabit one burrow system. Sometimes they inhabit vacant underground tunnels built by moles or other voles. They are food for owls, hawks, cats, snakes, raccoons and foxes.

Since voles like to live in grassy or weedy habitats with heavy ground cover they become a nuisance when they invade our landscaped lawns and gardens to feed on plants. They also eat a variety of plants which makes them pests in agricultural areas, orchards and plant nurseries. Occasionally voles may eat snails, insects and dead animal remains.