Eastern Meadow Vole

Credit: Animalia

Microtus pennsylvanicus

Today’s Wishlist Wednesday species is . . . the Meadow Vole! I’m sure you are wondering why I would wish to see such a small, unassuming animal. Well, they live all around my parent’s house and neighborhood. There is evidence of them everywhere and I have never seen one! They can be active in the day and they don’t hibernate, I just haven’t been lucky enough to see them. I mean, look at that face! Who wouldn’t want to see one?
 
Meadow Voles, also called field mice, are rodents that are five to seven inches long, counting the tail. They are heavier-bodied than mice and have a shorter tail. Meadow Voles live across most of North America and inhabit grassy fields and eat grains, seeds, roots and fruits, as well as insects and slugs.

Because they tear up the ground, I hear people talking about what a nuisance they are, but they actually provide quite a few benefits! They aerate the soil with their tunnels, which improves soil quality. All those insects and slugs they eat are garden pests, and they provide food for larger predators such as birds of prey and coyotes.

If you really can’t have Meadow Voles in your garden, you have a few options.

1. Exclusion
Put fencing around areas you are trying to protect and bury the fencing at least a couple of feet deep. This also works for Rabbits, Moles, and Gophers.

2. Habitat modification
While giving the Voles an opportunity to escape, destroy their tunnel system. Repeat until they get the picture and stop building their tunnels in that location.

3. Deterrents
Put things in the tunnels that the Voles don’t like, such as castor oil or capsaicin (the compound that makes hot peppers hot).

Do not, DO NOT use rodenticide poisons! This will not be the last time I harp on this. Rodenticides do not kill their intended victims right away. What it does do is make them easier prey for predators such as owls, hawks, bobcats, coyotes, or even your dog. The victim still carries the toxin in their system which then poisons the animal that eats them. This can make the predator sick, impair their immune system which can lead to other infections, or kill them slowly and painfully. Rodenticides aren’t fast, they aren’t humane, and they aren’t safe. Please, please PLEASE don’t use rodenticides. There are always better alternatives.
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Climbing off my soap box, I am going to keep checking the Vole tunnels in the hopes that I see one. If anyone has seen one, please share in the comments. This will give me hope!

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Vole Signs

Vole Signs