Voles: The Yard Pest You Might Be Mistaking for Mice

Voles look like mice but are stouter, with shorter hairy tails, rounder heads, smaller eyes/ears, and different teeth. Also called field mice, they reproduce fast—up to 10 litters/year, 5–10 young each, maturity in a month. Populations explode quickly.

Damage & Signs

• Eat root systems, bulbs, and plants until they die.
• Burrow extensively—unlike moles, they leave no mounds; tunnels are hidden.
• Active daytime. Look for thumb-sized holes in grass, baseball-sized grass nests after snowmelt, and gnaw marks on plants.

Control

DIY traps rarely work long-term because you can’t gauge population or hiding spots. Professional rodent exterminators assess the full scope, remove voles effectively, and help prevent return. Interview providers on their methods and prevention plans.