Voles
Forum Archives
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Mar-25-2005 at 3:25pm
Although I have never actually knowingly seen one, I think we have voles. Our two aged cats, 17 and 19 died this past year, I believe that the stalking and tossing they enjoyed over the years involved voles, although I never inquired.
This spring, I think that perhaps the voles are just too active. You know something is underfoot when you plunge the dandelion digger into the ground and hit air--Yes, a vacancy underground. There are openings, usually covered by plantlife about 1 1/2 inches big around, here and there. Rats leave other information around, rabbits dont build tunnels that small. So, should I be alarmed? Should I prepare for vole invasion?
Carol
Wanda
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Mar-25-2005 at 7:43pm
I always thought voles tunneled above ground making little covered paths in dense grass and thatch. Maybe I'm thinking of shrews. Either way, I bet some regular old mousetraps would work. Do you still have kitties patrolling the area? I guess you wouldn't want a mouse trap where a dog or cat could find it. You might have mole tunnels, too. Fun and games. I think they all use mole tunnels but moles only eat insects. The voles can eat bulbs and roots. I hope you get it figured out and the problem under control. I say put away the dandelion digger - ignorance is bliss!
Sorry to hear about your kitties. Sounds like a vole diet is a recipe for longevity. I like to think that my kitties who have passed away are catching and tossing critters in heaven. But the cats I have now have to be content with stalking spiders because I don't let them outside. Anyway, good luck with your rodent problem. Let us know what you learn.
-Wanda
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Mar-26-2005 at 5:36pm
Shrews and voles are quite similar aren't they? We had shrew and field mice in Mi. I should have gotten an outdoor cat I guess casue whatever they loved my garden esp the tomatoes and melonzs!
~BakingBarb
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Apr-05-2005 at 11:20am
In looking for the tunnels of voles --I have concluded that may be what happend to my crocosmia as there is a wonderful series of tunnles run by voles that were first built by moles. After some serious attention, I think we have gotten rid of the moles, but I am holding my breath as they never give up, but I watched a vole zipping down a nearly invisable hole yesterday, and and the hole aims towards the area where the bulbs are so Wanda, I am looking for our old mouse trap--I think it might be at the coast! I purchased it years ago at Wichita Hardware in SE Portland, about the only place in the city one can find that kind of equipment.
Wish me luck, what do you bate the trap with? tulip bulbs? thats kinda expensive!
Carol
Screaming Eagle
Location: Puget Sound corridor
Posted: Apr-05-2005 at 3:53pm
We used peanut butter as bait for rats and it was effective.
Theresa
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Apr-05-2005 at 6:26pm
Peanut butter all the way baby! Sounds better when you say it outloud with exlamations and such!
~BakingBarb
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Apr-17-2005 at 3:45pm
Hey, hey! Peanut butter is great, We got a "better" mousetrap, and within an hour caught a 9 inch long rat--(including tail) and then the next morning a shorter rat decided to check out the peanut butter and... checked out! That was a bit of a surprise. Mighty? hunters, we. or rats have a fatal flaw--cant pass up peanut butter.
P.s. # 3 just took the bait! I think this was evidently very timely! and I still havent seen a vole!
Carol
Fern
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posted: Apr-19-2005 at 8:41am
I have a cat that eats voles but I still have alot in my yard making the kind of tunnels you describe. I just live with it and think of them as nature's rototillers that are also probably improving drainage, which I need. I have planted crocus in underground cages and moved a couple of their favorite plants to different areas. My crambia and a phlox never do too well because of them. At least my moles stay in the planting beds and stay out of the lawn.
Fern
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Apr-25-2005 at 6:06pm
The truth is, I dont know who is grooming the tunnels, I know they exist as when it rains like it did this past weekend, you can see "springs" of flowing water burping out of the holes and trying to resurect the creek that ran freely where they built our house. Hoooray for developers--
I always thought of earthworms as rototillers but I am game, Voles need homes too, You have a good attitude, Fern.
No more rats, but the pheasant is back--spent quite a bit of time in the hosta bed, were the sunflower seeds drop from the bird feeder in the maple tree.
Carol
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