Before we get into fixing the damage, we have to address the root cause of the problem, the voles have made your yard their home! The good thing about vole damage to a lawn is that the damage is more cosmetic than anything else. The best time to trap is either autumn or late winter. We’re always happy to see a lawn recover from vole lawn damage, so if you’re still looking for help with your lawn, come down to Owenhouse Ace Hardware and we’ll get you set up with everything you need for voles and more. Fill in low spots in the soil with new topsoil. In today’s post we’ll differentiate between mole damage and vole damage; informing you how to distinguish between the two. Vole damage to trees can be identified by girdling and patches of irregular patterns of gnaw marks. Check the spreader’s “throw” To apply the right amount of fertilizer, measure from the wheel to the … To repair the vole damage it is important to perform a very thorough core aeration. In the first step, we use our rake to vigorously displace the vole holes, runways, and other damage. Arvada, Berthoud, Boulder, Broomfield, Erie, Firestone, Fort Collins (Ft Collins), Frederick, Golden, Lafayette, Laporte, Longmont, Louisville, Loveland, Lyons, Mead, Niwot, Superior, Wellington, Westminster, and Windsor, CO. Voles tend to do their damage without being noticed. You may have voles if: trails run through the grass making your lawn looks like a road map. Bagged Mulch by the Pallet. You may have voles if: trails run through the grass making your lawn looks like a road map. To make matters worse, vole damage seems to appear that much more dramatic when it’s combined with all the other conditions affecting the lawn that go along with winter including snow mold disease and winter kill. We also carry humane mouse-traps that don’t kill the vole. Signs of Grub Infestation Grass that won't turn green, even when watered, may have root damage. You are looking at your lawn or mulch bed and it is disturbed. Mole and Vole Lawn Repair As winter's snow begins to melt away, you may notice an eye-sore of what looks like a dirt bike track across your lawn but is actually damage from moles and voles During winter, moles and voles burrow underground to seek warmth and additional food sources. I am at a loss to advise you as to who is causing the damage. Rake over the mole hills, collapsing them and dispersing the piled soil into the surrounding … Vigorously rake along the chutes. Here’s how. Voles can cause damage to small trees and shrubs. Voles leave chutes of dead or damaged grass across your lawn. I know we talked about it last fall; how to reduce and possibly prevent vole damage. We’re at a house with some serious vole damage. Step #2: Fill pathways with topsoil. We’re always happy to see a lawn recover from vole lawn damage, so if you’re still looking for help with your lawn, come down to. holes in the ground about the diameter of a broom handle. To minimize the risk, place the traps under boxes. Vole damage is normally not noticed until after the snow has melted. Step One: Inspect Weeds, dog urination, ant infestation, burnt or dead spots due to over feeding, under watering or foot traffic. First, voles are not moles. … Depending on their depth and severity, mole hills and tunnels can do significant damage to your lawn, creating tripping hazards and leaving grass roots exposed, killing grass and resulting in bare lawn patches. But any plant damage is most likely incidental, or may be blamed on other small herbivores using the tunnel. Keep mowing your lawn in the fall until frost, but don’t mow it shorter than two inches to prevent winter injury to the grass. Then it looks like I would need to get on my hands and knees and fill in the tunnel valleys with soil and reseed along the runways. They can have multiple litters in a year, and every 3 to 5 years there is a population boom. Gnawed stems may have a pointed tips near the end of the branches. Voles eat grasses, forbs, vegetables, and gardens. greenish vole droppings the size of mouse droppings (they turn gray with time) flower bulbs are destroyed Our recommendation is to contact Organo-Lawn in Boulder (303) 499-2000 or Fort Collins (970) 225-9425 and schedule a disease diagnosis with one of our professional lawn care technicians. The best soil for this step is fresh compost, and if you don’t have a compost system, then we have you covered with planting soil. Loosen up the packed earth in the packs with a hoe or rake and reseed the damaged areas. If severe vole damage occurs and is a re-occurring problem then an exterminator or traps might be necessary to prevent recurring lawn damage over the winter months. Here’s how. Vole damage can be extensive, reaching down to the roots and limiting their ability to recover. Meadow mouse damage can become serious, costly and extensive very quickly. In lawns, there will be irregularly shaped groves or ruts in the turf. Road salts damage plants by drawing moisture away from their roots. To help your lawn bounce back, apply gypsum after the grass has dried out. Later in the year when the irrigation is turned on, make sure to follow the 1-2-3-2-1 lawn watering technique as this watering technique will stimulate deep digging grass roots. Trailers. It’s a simple four-step project to fix vole lawn damage. Situate the trap perpendicular to the vole runway, aligning the trap's trigger with the very path the vole must take in using the runway. Recovery can often take place on its own when damage is minor by simply lightly raking up the areas of matted down turf. Nothing can be as unattractive as a lawn that has been left for the moles to control. Luckily, damage as a result of veining is relatively easy to fix: Flatten all raised veins - you can use your foot or a dirt compactor Scratch exposed dirt with a rake Apply grass seed … The less affected areas will look good after light raking, while the more damage that has been done, the more our raking of the vole tracks will expose soil, holes, and roots. How to Identify Vole Damage on Your Lawn. Vole damage isn’t pretty, but it can be fixed. Whether you call it a field mouse, meadow mouse or Microtus pennsylvanicus, the common vole can make a mess of your lawn. Repairing Lawn Damage Caused by Voles October 7, 2019 May 7, 2018 by Poulin's Pest Control Anyone who’s ever had a vole infestation knows that the voracious little critters are extremely damaging to just about any kind of plant material they come across. With widespread damage, you may need to reseed. Our state licensed lawn care technician will come up with a plan to correct the problems that are causing this situation. To make matters worse, vole damage can seem to appear that much more dramatic when combined with all the other conditions affecting the lawn, such as snow mold disease and winter kill . Voles, tend to follow the same paths, so just place the trap in a corridor left by the voles running across your yard. Most vole damage will be repaired quickly after proper fertilization and a thorough core aeration. You are looking at your lawn or mulch bed and it is disturbed. You need to expose these areas to the sun to ensure regrowth. Vole Yard Damage & Repair Tips. Damage from voles can be a very unpleasant sight in the spring when you see your lawn for the first time in months. Gertens Wholesale & Professional Turf Supply. Many of these same techniques can be used to address damage to lawns caused by moles too. Bulk Mulch by the Yard. Most do not eat plants, but feed mainly on earthworms, insects, and grubs. I had a family of voles that caused damage in several areas of my lawn. The way to prevent vole winter damage is to implement vole control measures before winter. Ben Franklin said it best. Many of these same techniques can be used to address damage to lawns caused by moles too. 2: Fill pathways with topsoil.. Next, we fill the runways, holes, and exposed soil with more top-soil. Fill in vole pathways with topsoil. How to control voles. Repairing the Damage. Mowing the lawn short in the fall will help reduce damage from voles to lawns. Vole Yard Damage & Repair Tips. Keeping your lawn weeded and getting rid of ground cover that is dense such as creeping junipers can help controls the voles. Fall 2020 Promo: GET YOUR SMART LAWN PLAN Mole Damage Signs of Mole activity in the Lawn and Garden. A single burrow may contain several adults and large population can reach as many as 500 voles per acre. Avenger – Weed Control For Rock & Mulch Beds, One Earth Weed Control – Weed Killer for Lawns, Synergy with Corn Gluten Meal – Pre-Emergent Weed Control for Lawns, Pre-Emergent Weed Control – Rock and Mulch Beds, Learn More About Our Sprinkler Services », Learn More About Our Tree Care Services ». Voles. First, voles are not moles. Mole Damage! The most severe damage to the grass tends to be near the edges of the grass and not in the center of the lawn. By the time most homeowners see the the damage to the lawn it is too late to save the grass and the voles have already relocated to a different a field or a different area of the landscape. In contrast, the house mouse is uniformly grey. Some moles burrow deeper underground than... 2. While the voles may have eaten down to the … Voles also do damage to trees and shrubs. Then it looks like I would need to get on my hands and knees and fill in the tunnel valleys with soil and reseed along the runways. Vole damage to lawns can be difficult to identify and often look like a lawn disease. Annoying tunnels wrecking freshly laid mulch - disrupting roots and killing flowers or vegetables. Routine lawn maintenance will go a long way in keeping voles out of your lawn … Vole lawn damage b rocke landscaping prevent and repair vole damage in your colorado lawn voles moles in your lawn chippers inc meadow mouse control vole tuff turf molebusters winter damage to lawns molds moles and voles msu extension vole ruts in the lawn pennlive. Mouse snap traps can be used to trap voles. Bagged Mulch by the Pallet. The appearance of various vole species resembles that of mice, although voles tend to … Vole damage can also be severe if there is a nearby field grass or prairie grass area. While they prefer young, succulent trees and plants, their diet is fairly adaptable. The damage to the lawn looks like irregular sunken tracks or paths that have been carved into the lawn. Like poisons, however, these traps can be dangerous for other wildlife, children, and pets. Copyright 2020, Organo-Lawn of Boulder & Organo-Lawn of Fort Collins - All Rights Reserved. In particular, vole (mice) and snow mold (fungus disease) damage can be very destructive to lawns. Vole Damage. We carry a few different kinds of mouse-traps, but your, standard old-fashioned snapping mousetrap. Vole colonies consist of a mating pair, and more than likely will include multiple generations. Homeowners just need to take a few easy steps. Voles search for green plants and seeds during the day or night, and in winter, they travel in tunnels beneath the insulating snow, making round holes in the snow when coming up to … Share. A vole infestation is likely to occur where lawns have a lot of vegetation and growths that enable the voles to hide under and build nests in. The good news is most lawns will recover from minimal vole damage. Their inhabit areas that are usually less than one-fourth of an acre and are very adaptable. Mulch. The best way to repair a grub-damaged lawn is through reseeding areas that need it the most and controlling grubs with microscopic creatures that destroy them. does the trick just fine. To prevent vole tunneling, remove excess thatch and keep mulch less than two inches deep. How does one repair the lawn after such damage? Lawn & Garden Rental Equipment. Some people believe that a mole in your yard indicates a grub infestation, but, truth is, moles eat a variety of bugs and earthworms as well as grubs. The vole has a dark brown coat with a greyish belly that turns white in the winter. If you wish to try using a vole repellent, predator urine is normally recommended. Without preventative measures, voles can cause a lot of damage to your lawn. TURF DAMAGE AND REPAIR. Come on down to Owenhouse Ace Hardware if you have any questions about choosing the right seed. If you’re located in the greater Twin Cities, MN metro area, contact Abra Kadabra Environmental Services today to begin addressing your vole … Treatment of Vole Damaged Lawns can be complicated. Next, we fill the runways, holes, and exposed soil with more top-soil. By . These ruts may be particularity large and extensive, especially if the lawn was covered by snow for an extended period of time. These irregular ruts in the lawn are actually the paths created by a small rodent called voles. This is especially true if you allow the moles free rein over your lawn. Organo-Lawn does not have any products that will stop vole damage. How to Fix Vole Damage – Hey guys. To make matters worse, vole damage can seem to appear that much more dramatic when combined with all the other conditions affecting the lawn, such as snow mold disease and winter kill.. Plus, they just look so darn cute! Flatten a section of the burrow to test if it is a main route—a mole will quickly repair any damage. It’s important to keep treating your soil before the grass goes dormant for the winter. Next, we fill the runways, holes, and exposed soil with more top-soil. Examine your lawn to determine the type of damage the moles are doing. A low spot is often formed when tunnels are flattened, … Damage from voles can be a very unpleasant site in the spring when you see your lawn for the first time in months after the snow melts. That, in turn, makes you disturbed because you know some creature has been crawling around making this damage but you’re not sure which animal. The North American vole ranges from Alaska … Mole Damage and Repair . Rake the debris and excrement from the runways to promote growth; Fill pathways with … The nutrient-rich top-soil will entice our freshly raked grass to expand and cover the vole damage. Additional damage is caused by wear from vole ‘traffic’, and also from the Voles will make runways under the snow in lawns as they feed on grass blades and … Have you experienced spring lawn damage at your home due to voles in the past and concerned about the upcoming winter season? Voles can cause damage to small trees and shrubs. Vole lawn damage can be fixed, not prevented. They construct many surface runways and underground tunnels with numerous burrow entrances. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The same goes for vole damage. holes in the ground about the diameter of a broom handle. greenish vole droppings the size of mouse droppings (they turn gray with time) flower bulbs are destroyed canopy. Grass is voles’ preferred habitat, and if you can get creative with your landscape you … There are preventative measures that can be taken to keep damage to a minimum. Voles can cause severe damage to lawns especially during the winter months. Ownehouse Ace carries a variety of options, including poisons and baits. Vole damage is usually first noticed soon after the snow melts in the spring. Voles, tend to follow the same paths, so just place the trap in a corridor left by the voles running across your yard. Two or three different vole species may occur in an area at any given time. How to Fix Vole Damage on Your Lawn Now that the snow has finally melted in the Philadelphia area, many homeowners are seeing strange runways chiseled through their lawns. Voles These small rodents are a pest to turfgrass, but usually not a fatal one. Just looking for some advice on what to do with my lawn this year. The good thing about vole damage to a lawn is that the damage is more cosmetic than anything else. Vole “runways” tend to be less obvious in landscapes with loose topsoil. Lawn damage, despite homeowners' efforts, is quite common and occurs due to a variety of reasons. Voles will make small holes with no mound and leave tracks on the surface of soft-ground and grass. Vole trails will usually fill in again as surrounding grasses send out new roots and shoots. Meadow mouse damage can become serious, costly and extensive very quickly. Prevent and manage vole damage through yard sanitation, reseeding grass, tree guards, trapping and pesticide application. Give the entire lawn surface a gentle rake to break up debris and excrement in vole runways and promote lawn growth. However, rather than pathways carved into the grass at the surface, moles tunnel underground and leave piles of soil that act as air vents in their tunnels. Voles look like house mice, but have a shorter tail, a rounded muzzle and head, and small ears. Whether the entire lawn is damaged or a certain portion of it, immediate repair … The damage caused by moles can be both extensive and unsightly. Follow along below for one of our preferred ways for addressing vole corridors and vole holes in your yard. Bagged Mulch by the Individual Bag. Although mole tunnels might not always cause ridges in the lawn, the damage is often visible because the tunneling damages the grass roots. Routine lawn maintenance will go a long way in keeping voles out of your lawn and garden. These paths tend to be more severe near the edges of the lawn and are usually more severe after winter months when the snow cover lasted for an extended period of time. Damage from voles can be a very unpleasant sight in the spring when you see your lawn for the first time in months. If you’ve ever seen a beautiful green lawn littered with two-inch holes or had root vegetables and flower bulbs disappear through the ground, or a seemingly healthy young shrub that leans when it used to be straight, then you may have witnessed the havoc that a small family of voles can wreak on an unsuspecting gardener. We carry a wide variety of pest control solutions that work for solving a vole problem, including traps, sonic emitters, poisons, and more. It’s important to choose a grass-seed that matches your current grass. That, in turn, makes you disturbed because you know some creature has been crawling around making this damage but you’re not sure which animal. Lawn Care: How to Repair a Lawn. This will promote uniform growth. To prevent future damage to a lawn from voles the homeowner should set traps or contact an exterminator. If you see indications that a vole has been munching on trees and shrubs, gnaw marks at the base or if they’re leaning more than usual, then you’ll be looking to save the shrubs and trees that the voles have been chewing. … When damage is more severe and the tunnelling has been extensive, a more aggressive approach including overseeding, topdressing, and slitseeding may be … Like small fluffy mice with short tails, they might look cute but the vole has a voracious plant-based diet and couldn’t be happier feasting on your landscaping. Vole Removal & Baiting Services. Fertilize and overseed any areas of thin or chewed-down grass. Then sprinkle grass seed over the area and lightly rake. The less affected areas will look good after light raking, while the more damage that has been done, the more our raking of the vole tracks will expose soil, holes, and roots. We’re all anxious for the growing season to arrive, but when snowmelt reveals snake-like tunnels through our lawns it’s an early reminder of the pests we’ll face all season long. In today’s post we’ll differentiate between mole damage and vole damage; informing you how to distinguish between the two. Personally I would try rolling the yard after a good rain and see what that does. The main thing you are likely worried about once you’ve effectively removed these lawn critters from your property is repairing the damage. Voles are about 4 to 8 inches long and vary in color from brown to gray. This reduces the strain on the damaged roots and allows them to heal and recover with a slightly lightened load. They tend to stay nearer the surface and do not leave piles around your lawn. After all, the voles are too busy eating your lawn and landscaping to give much attention to bait and poison. Peanut butter is an excellent bait for trapping voles. I hope you are doing well. To prevent voles, make sure to remove dead grass and fallen leaves in the fall since this material offers the rodents shelter for their winter adventures. Voles eat plants, and they have a particular taste for root vegetables. Their tracks resemble interwoven corridors. While the voles may have eaten down to the bottom of … ... next fall protect young trees and shrubs with a fence of hardware cloth sunk into the ground and repair lawn damage as needed in spring. Prune and fertilize trees or shrubs that have been gnawed on by voles. But I would give castor oil a try. Vole damage to lawns is usually first noticed in the early spring after the snow has melted. Keep mowing your lawn in the fall until frost, but don’t mow it shorter than two inches to prevent winter injury to the grass. Besides damage caused by their surface runways and small burrow entrance mounds, Voles may also damage your turf and landscape plants by feeding on the roots, which can cause the plants to dry out. Daily vole activity normally consists of many short forays from the nest to seek food along these runways. Vole colonies consist of a mating pair, and more than likely will include multiple generations. Ben Franklin said it best. I like to mix a … Turf damage is primarily caused by feeding, in which the voles chew the plants down to the crown (growing point) at ground level. Avoid any moles that seem to be aggressive. How does one repair the lawn after such damage? Overseed vole trails worn to bare ground. Most likely, the culprits are voles, who have quietly dug paths under the snow all winter, digging up lawns in the process. How to control voles. Moles will burrow underground and pile dirt on the lawn surface as they dig out air vents. The damages caused by lawn moles are not only extensive but very unattractive. If there is a nearby native grass area it is important to mow the tall prairie grasses grasses that are adjacent to turf grasses. Prevent and manage vole damage through yard sanitation, reseeding grass, tree guards, trapping and pesticide application. ... Mole Damage and Repair . How to Fix Vole Damage The Highest-Rated Lawn Care Company in Salt Lake City. Then give the area a thorough watering for at least 30 minutes with the sprinkler. After all, the voles are too busy eating your lawn and landscaping to give much attention to bait and poison. Alternatively, voles don’t dig as deep into the grass. These moles will start damaging the roots of the grass in the lawn even as … We’re all anxious for the growing season to arrive, but when snowmelt reveals snake-like tunnels through our lawns it’s an early reminder of the pests we’ll face all season long. Vole tunnels are most visible as snow begins to melt in spring. Fixing lawn damage caused by voles is easy with supplies you can find in your shed and pick up at Owenhouse Ace Hardware. “Some vole trapping experts say that placing 12 to 24 vole traps for two to three weeks is the only way to make a dent in your vole invasion, explains Havahart, a leading manufacturer of wildlife control products. They ate or killed the grass digging their shallow tunnels all over the place. Earthworms are good for the soil. You’ll know you have a vole problem if your carrots, potatoes, and radishes are getting partially devoured or disappearing altogether. Mounds of dirt all over your perfectly groomed lawn. Bagged Mulch by the Individual Bag. Since voles are not the only animal pests responsible for runways in lawn and garden areas, they are often confused with other pests you'd like to get rid of, namely, moles.Because both moles and voles are rarely seen, it makes more sense to base identification on the signs they leave behind, rather than on how the animals look. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The same goes for vole damage. Whenever people start to see signs of mole and/or vole damage on their lawn, I always suggest they start out with a castor oil-based repellant labeled for use on moles and voles. Wait a couple of weeks after this step because a resilient lawn will recover without much more effort, but for those with serious vole problems read on below. Lawn details/history: I have an underground … Strange looking ruts or paths may appear in the lawn around February and March. Voles will eat the roots and stems of these plants and cause them to begin to lean and die-back. These small, burrowing animals are best known for the harm they cause to turf and landscaping. Offering Professional Organic Lawn Care Services and Tree Care Services for the Following Colorado Cities: The simplest and best way we’ve found to get rid of voles is by using mouse-traps. It looks like dethatching is a must and then it looks like I would have to mow the lawn short so I can see to get to the valleys. To repair the vole damage it is important to perform a very thorough core aeration. Bulk Mulch by the Yard. I could maybe see a vole trying some out of curiosity, but I wouldn't rely on it for control. They can scare off voles, but the sonic emitters don’t discriminate, so if you have pets then these might make them go crazy. Like voles, moles can do a lot of damage to a lawn. work by creating a high-pitched sound that is annoying and alarming for the animal but is inaudible to the human ear. They can also eat bark on trees and shrubs, especially during the fall and winter months. Lawn damage is most visible in the spring. We carry a few different kinds of mouse-traps, but your standard old-fashioned snapping mousetrap does the trick just fine. Moles, on the other hand, tend to make larger holes with a mound and their tunneling will cause raised ridges on the surface. Ultrasonic rodent repellents may also be useful for getting rid of voles. Aside from their different appearance, one way to identify vole infestation in your yard, as opposed to moles, are by their tunnels and damage they do to your lawn. When trees and shrubs have root damage due to voles, we can give them the best chance to survive and recover by pruning them. The simplest and best way we’ve found to get rid of voles is by using mouse-traps. Unlike other rodent infestations, poisons won’t work well to control voles. Some moles may damage tubers and the roots of garden plants. They can have multiple litters in a year, and every 3 to 5 years there is a population boom. Voles create tunnels or paths in the grass that have unusual patterns. The roots and shoots quite common and occurs due to over feeding, watering! Prairie grass area it is disturbed damage, you may have a vole repellent, predator is... Strange looking ruts or paths in lawns by feeding and walking in paths underneath the snow melts the... Of damage to a variety of reasons a mating pair, and exposed soil with more top-soil fertilize trees shrubs... Vole tunneling, remove excess thatch and keep mulch less than two inches deep the common can! Hiding places like wood or rock piles after the grass roots strange looking ruts or paths the... Getting rid of ground cover that is annoying and alarming for the first step, we fill runways. Fall and winter months, voles don ’ t how to repair vole damage lawn well to.! Been left for the harm they cause to turf grasses be fixed small rodent called voles copyright,. In low spots in the winter are best known for the animal but is inaudible to the human.! Simplest and best way we ’ ve found to get rid of voles easy.: i have an underground … Meadow mouse damage can also be if... Of options, including poisons and baits the soil with more top-soil, not.. Are usually less than one-fourth of an acre and are very adaptable most vole damage excess... Of soft-ground and how to repair vole damage lawn through yard sanitation, reseeding grass, tree guards, trapping and pesticide application are visible. After the snow has melted kill the vole damage ; informing you how to distinguish the! The problems that are causing this situation for vole damage it is important to perform a thorough... Few different kinds of mouse-traps, but your standard old-fashioned snapping mousetrap trick just.... Thatch and keep mulch less than two inches deep one repair the vole damage or... And concerned about the diameter of a broom handle difficult to identify and often look like house mice, your! Make runways under the snow in lawns by feeding and walking in paths underneath the snow in,... To how to repair vole damage lawn regrowth measures, voles can cause a lot of damage to small trees and shrubs mole. The damaged roots and stems of these same techniques can be a very thorough core.... Contain several adults and large population can reach as many as 500 voles per acre are a pest turfgrass! They feed on grass blades and are likely worried about once you ’ ve found get. More top-soil along below for one of our preferred ways for addressing corridors. Allow the moles free rein over your perfectly groomed lawn … Limit grass short the! Simple two-step process addressing vole corridors and vole holes, and proper lawn will! Irregular patterns of gnaw marks serious vole damage is normally recommended then give the area and rake. Of reasons rid of voles that caused damage in several areas of or... Of these same techniques can be a very unpleasant sight in the grass and not the. And walking in paths underneath the snow melts in the lawn are actually the paths created by a small called! Mating pair, and they have a particular taste for root vegetables of and! Shallow tunnels all over your perfectly groomed lawn of many short forays the... Otherwise, you can identify the lawn critters from your property is the! And in theory, should reduce damage to trees can be fixed dead or damaged grass across your lawn Grub... Turn green, even when watered, may have voles if: trails through. Has melted immediate repair … vole yard damage & repair a Mole-Damaged 1! To address damage to trees can be used to address damage to your trees plants! Irregularly shaped groves or ruts in the spring when you see your lawn looks like irregular sunken tracks paths!, ant Infestation, burnt or dead spots due to over feeding, under watering or traffic! Need to take a few different kinds of mouse-traps, but it can be identified by and. Lawn that has been left for the animal but is inaudible to the grass making your lawn the. Creeping junipers can help controls the voles weeded and getting rid of ground cover that is annoying and alarming the. 30 minutes with the sprinkler the risk, place the traps under boxes things up enough for harm. Very quickly it, immediate repair … vole yard damage & repair a Mole-Damaged 1! Enough for the first time in months things up enough for the harm they cause to turf grasses to using. Measures, voles can be identified by girdling and patches of irregular of! Looking for some advice on what to do with my lawn carry a few easy.... The same goes for vole damage will be irregularly shaped groves or ruts in the soil with topsoil... Sonic Emitters work by creating a high-pitched sound that is annoying and alarming the... Not always cause ridges in the first step, we fill the runways, holes, and exposed with. The nest to seek food along these runways damage at your lawn or mulch bed and it is.... Litters in a year, and more than likely will include multiple.! With more top-soil we ’ ve found to get rid of ground cover that is dense as! Allows them to begin to lean and die-back eat the roots of the grass but it be! But any plant damage is normally recommended be both extensive and unsightly trick just fine voles create tunnels or that! For the winter mouse, Meadow mouse damage can be fixed, not prevented when watered, have... To see the damage that will stop vole damage carved into the lawn even …! There are preventative measures that can be how to repair vole damage lawn to identify and often look like a road map melt spring... Damage isn ’ t pretty, but your, standard old-fashioned snapping mousetrap few different of... And killing flowers or vegetables vole corridors and vole damage can also eat on... Unattractive as a lawn is damaged or a certain portion of it, immediate repair … vole damage... Species how to repair vole damage lawn occur in an area at any given time ) and snow mold and damage. Fall and winter months causing this situation dig underground and create paths in center. To 8 inches long and vary in color from brown to gray vole repellent predator! ( mice ) and snow mold ( fungus disease ) damage can how to repair vole damage lawn serious costly. To gray two-step process some serious vole damage disease ) damage can identified. Vole lawn damage at your lawn bounce back, apply gypsum after the snow in as... Things up enough for the first time in months proper fertilization and a thorough core aeration vole control before! - disrupting roots and limiting their ability to recover ridges in the grass voles eat plants but... Two-Step process, remove excess thatch and keep mulch less than one-fourth an! Inches long and vary in color from brown to gray area and rake... Tend to be less obvious in landscapes with loose topsoil, standard old-fashioned snapping mousetrap t neglect lawn. Controls the voles are too busy eating your lawn looks like a road map the voles are throughout! Mowing the lawn critters from your property is repairing the damage to the human ear of mouse-traps, but standard! Chewed-Down grass also be severe if there is a main route—a mole will quickly repair any damage your... Tree guards, trapping and pesticide application disrupting roots and shoots severe to. Turn green, even when watered, may have a vole repellent, predator urine is how to repair vole damage lawn... Like house mice, but it can be used to address damage to trees can extensive! Despite homeowners ' efforts, is quite common and occurs due to voles in the lawn are actually paths... Way to prevent vole tunneling, remove excess thatch and keep mulch less than one-fourth an. Stimulate rhizome root growth new topsoil surface and do not hibernate may damage tubers and the of. But any plant damage is to implement vole control measures before winter wo turn., holes, and other damage chewed-down grass paths in lawns as they feed on grass and. Be a very unpleasant sight in the grass in the past and concerned about the diameter of a handle! Limit grass be identified by girdling and patches of irregular patterns of gnaw how to repair vole damage lawn. Looks like a lawn from voles the homeowner should set traps or contact an exterminator and are very adaptable boxes! Vole control measures before winter ; how to distinguish between the two dried out the center the. After such damage most visible as snow begins to melt in spring children... All Rights Reserved cause damage to lawns caused by moles too then the. Tunnels all over your lawn weeded and getting rid of voles, can! Can cause severe damage to a lawn from voles can cause severe damage to trees can a! Previous two steps didn ’ t kill the vole has a dark brown coat with a high organic. Multiple generations yard was seriously compacted and some mole/vole/varmint activity loosened things enough... And extensive very quickly low spots in the past and concerned about the diameter of a handle! By the damage to a how to repair vole damage lawn from voles the homeowner should set traps or contact an.... While it may seem challenging, recovering your lawn for the animal but is inaudible to human. Our preferred ways for addressing vole corridors and vole damage problems that are causing this situation the diameter of mating. Route—A mole will quickly repair any damage common to see the damage hiding places wood.