1. Moles and Voles Presented by: Wilma Sharp Devin Wallace
Pine Vole
Presented by:
Wilma Sharp
Devin Wallace
Susan Neidlinger
Cathy Johnson
Meadow Vole
Eastern Mole

2. Identification and Characteristics
VOLES
Identification and Characteristics

3. Pine Vole Characteristics Cannot see eyes and ears Short tail
Reddish brown or grey fur
Smaller than a meadow vole
3” long; weighs 1 oz. or less
Female produces 4-6 litters yearly of 2.8 babies
Lives below ground mostly in clay soils mostly at the edge of woods and meadows. Tunnels are 1” to 2’ below ground
Destroys vegetation below ground and just at the surface

4. Visual Signs of the Pine Vole
Damage to underground roots
Roots look like they have been sharpened in a pencil sharpener
Roots may be severed from tree or plant causing it to die
Will eat apples from bottom up leaving a hollow shell
Will also eat flower bulbs underground
Often girdle crowns of trees, especially under snow
Night time feeding above ground of fruits and tender green leaves

6. Meadow Vole Characteristics Visible eyes and ears
Longer tail (longer that back legs)
Dark brown fur
3.5” to 5” long and weighs pounds
Lives in a complex network of tunnels near the surface in grassy areas
Mostly damages vegetation above ground

7. Signs of the Meadow Vole
Most common sign of meadow vole damage is gnawing of tree bark
May see fresh grass clippings and feces along large clumps of grass
Like the pine vole, will eat fruits of the strawberry and blueberry plants and will gnaw stems and roots of ornamental shrubs

8. Biology and Behavior of Moles

9. Controlling Moles and Voles
Habitat Reduction

10. Controlling Moles and Voles
Habitat Reduction
Predators

11. Controlling Moles and Voles
Habitat Reduction
Predators
Trapping

12. Trapping Pine Voles
Fall is best time

13. Trapping Pine Voles
Fall is best time
Use ordinary mousetraps

14. Trapping Pine Voles Fall is best time Use ordinary mousetraps
Bait with peanut butter or apple slices

15. Trapping Pine Voles Fall is best time Use ordinary mousetraps
Bait with peanut butter or apple slices
Use 1 trap per 100 square feet

16. Trapping Pine Voles Fall is best time Use ordinary mousetraps
Bait with peanut butter or apple slices
Use 1 trap per 100 square feet
Set trap in active run

17. Trapping Pine Voles
Excavate area so trap will lay flush with bottom of run

18. Trapping Pine Voles
Excavate area so trap will lay flush with bottom of run
Set trap at right angle to run

19. Trapping Pine Voles
Excavate area so trap will lay flush with bottom of run
Set trap at right angle to run
Cover excavated area so no light reaches trap site

20. Trapping Pine Voles Fall is best time Use ordinary mousetraps
Bait with peanut butter or apple slices
Use 1 trap per 100 square feet
Set trap in active run
Check traps daily until no voles are caught for 1 week

21. Trapping Pine Voles Fall is best time Use ordinary mousetraps
Bait with peanut butter or apple slices
Use 1 trap per 100 square feet
Set trap in active run
Check traps daily until no voles are caught for 1 week
Wear disposable gloves and wash hands thoroughly after emptying traps

22. Trapping Meadow Voles
Similar to trapping pine voles except since their tunnels are in grass thatch or just beneath surface - no need for excavation

23. Trapping Moles - “Kill” Traps
“Kill” traps for moles, such as this scissor type, are difficult to set and properly place

24. Trapping Moles - “Kill” Traps
“Kill” traps for moles, such as this scissor type, are difficult to set and properly place
Can cause personal injury.

25. Trapping Moles - “Kill” Traps
“Kill” traps for moles, such as this scissor type, are difficult to set and properly place
Can cause personal injury.
Dangerous for pets or small children.

26. Trapping Moles - “Kill” Traps
“Kill” traps for moles, such as this scissor type, are difficult to set and properly place
Can cause personal injury.
Dangerous for pets or small children.
Should be left to those trained in the handling of wild animals.

27. Trapping Moles – “Pit” Traps
Best time is spring as soon as first ridges appear or after fall rains

28. Trapping Moles – “Pit” Traps
Best time is spring as soon as first ridges appear or after fall rains
Use can large enough that mole will be unable to escape (3 lb coffee can should suffice)

29. Trapping Moles – “Pit” Traps
Best time is spring as soon as first ridges appear or after fall rains
Use can large enough that mole will be unable to escape (3 lb coffee can should suffice)
Determine main or frequently used runways

30. Trapping Moles – “Pit” Traps
Best time is spring as soon as first ridges appear or after fall rains
Use can large enough that mole will be unable to escape (3 lb coffee can should suffice)
Determine main or frequently used runways
Set “pit” trap

31. Trapping Moles – “Pit” Traps
Dig hole through center of runway

32. Trapping Moles – “Pit” Traps
Dig hole through center of runway
Place a #10 tin can upright in hole (be sure top of can is level with bottom of runway)

33. Trapping Moles – “Pit” Traps
Dig hole through center of runway
Place a #10 tin can upright in hole (be sure top of can is level with bottom of runway)
Fill and pack dirt tightly around the can and plug both sides of runway

34. Trapping Moles – “Pit” Traps
Dig hole through center of runway
Place a #10 tin can upright in hole (be sure top of can is level with bottom of runway)
Fill and pack dirt tightly around the can and plug both sides of runway
Lay board over pit to block light

35. Trapping Moles – “Pit” Traps
Best time is spring as soon as first ridges appear or after fall rains
Use can large enough that mole will be unable to escape (3 lb coffee can should suffice)
Determine main or frequently used runways
Set “pit” trap
Illegal to transport wild animal captured on your property to another property without permit

36. Trapping Moles – “Pit” Traps
Best time is spring as soon as first ridges appear or after fall rains
Use can large enough that mole will be unable to escape (3 lb coffee can should suffice)
Determine main or frequently used runways
Set “pit” trap
Illegal to transport wild animal captured on your property to another property without permit
Perform humane euthanasia (wear heavy gloves and long- sleeved garments before handling)

37. Controlling Moles and Voles
Habitat Reduction
Predators
Trapping
Chemicals

38. Chemical Control – Moles and Voles
Most effective formulations (fumigants, toxicants) require a certified-pesticide applicator license to obtain and use.

39. Chemical Control – Moles and Voles
Most effective formulations (fumigants, toxicants) require a certified-pesticide applicator license to obtain and use.
Baits are available to control voles. Always follow the instructions carefully as they can be harmful to children and pets.

40. Chemical Control – Moles and Voles
Most effective formulations (fumigants, toxicants) require a certified-pesticide applicator license to obtain and use.
Baits are available to control voles. Always follow the instructions carefully as they can be harmful to children and pets.
Baits are not usually effective for moles since they are insectivores.

41. Chemical Control – Moles and Voles
Most effective formulations (fumigants, toxicants) require a certified-pesticide applicator license to obtain and use.
Baits are available to control voles. Always follow the instructions carefully as they can be harmful to children and pets.
Baits are not usually effective for moles since they are insectivores.
Inseticides have been used to reduce the grubs population and limit the mole’s food source. But moles usually just switch to another food source – ie. beneficial earth worms so it is not a very effective control.

42. Controlling Moles and Voles
Habitat Reduction
Predators
Trapping
Chemicals
Barriers

43. Barriers
Offer long-term protection but only practical in small areas

44. Barriers Offer long-term protection but only practical in small areas
Install sheet metal or hardware cloth barrier around perimeter of bed

45. Barriers Offer long-term protection but only practical in small areas
Install sheet metal or hardware cloth barrier around perimeter of bed
Barrier should extend 5” above the ground surface
Barrier should be buried 12 – 15” deep
6” of the barrier should be bent out at the bottom to discourage moles and voles from digging under (form an ”L” with the foot of the “L extending away from the bed)

46. Barriers Offer long-term protection but only practical in small areas
Install sheet metal or hardware cloth barrier around perimeter of bed
Barrier should extend 5” above the ground surface
Barrier should be buried 12 – 15” deep
6” of the barrier should be bent out at the bottom to discourage moles and voles from digging under (form an ”L” with the foot of the “L extending away from the bed)
All corners must be secure

47. Controlling Moles and Voles
Habitat Reduction
Predators
Trapping
Chemicals
Barriers
Miscellaneous

48. Miscellaneous Controls
Coarse material, such as sharp-edged pea gravel, can be useful deterrents when mixed throughout the soil when putting in new plants.

49. Miscellaneous Controls
Coarse material, such as sharp-edged pea gravel, can be useful deterrents when mixed throughout the soil when putting in new plants.
Sonic or vibration producing devices have no proven effect.

50. Miscellaneous Controls
Coarse material, such as sharp-edged pea gravel, can be useful deterrents when mixed throughout the soil when putting in new plants.
Sonic or vibration producing devices have no proven effect.
Flooding tunnels has not proven effective.

51. Miscellaneous Controls
Coarse material, such as sharp-edged pea gravel, can be useful deterrents when mixed throughout the soil when putting in new plants.
Sonic or vibration producing devices have no proven effect.
Flooding tunnels has not proven effective.
Home remedies, such as gassing with auto exhaust, placing broken glass in tunnels or use of harsh household chemicals, usually are ineffective, can be hazardous and may be illegal.

52. Questions ?????

53. Resources www.vt.edu www.ces.ncsu.edu www.extension.umd.edu
VCE Publication , Managing Wildlife Damage: Moles
Voles in Horticultural Plantings
Reducing Vole Damage in Plants in Landscapes, Orchards, and Nurseries:
Maryland Cooperative Extension, Fact Sheet 654
VCE Publication , April 2001, Controlling Voles
Tree Fruit Fact Sheet, 102GFSTF-M1, 1988, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Voles: Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, 2005