Voles
Why Voles Are a Problem
Voles may look small and harmless, but they can cause surprising damage to Calgary properties when their population grows. Here’s why homeowners should take them seriously:
Damage to Landscaping: Voles create shallow tunnels across lawns and garden beds. These tunnels leave messy tracks on the surface and weaken the soil. They also destroy grass, flowers, and shrubs by chewing through stems and roots.
Chewing Through Plants: Voles feed on vegetation year-round. In Calgary yards, they often target tree bark, garden plants, perennials, and even decorative shrubs. Their habit of chewing the bark on young trees can lead to long-term damage or even kill the plant.
Tunneling Issues: Voles build tunnel networks beneath the soil, which can disrupt the structure of your lawn or garden. These tunnels make it harder to maintain a healthy yard. You might notice sinking soil, dead patches of grass, or collapsing garden beds.
Attracting Other Pests: High vole activity can draw in unwanted predators, including snakes, owls, and larger rodents. These animals follow the vole population, which can create additional issues around your property.
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Comprehensive Pest Control Solutions for Your Home & Business
At Pest Control Calgary, we provide safe and effective pest management tailored to your property. Whether you’re dealing with insects, rodents, or stubborn bed bug activity, our team uses proven methods to keep your home or business pest-free. Calgary’s changing weather often pushes pests indoors, so we focus on long-lasting solutions that protect your space throughout the year.
Signs of a Vole Infestation
Catching a vole issue early can save your lawn and garden from major damage. Here are the most common signs Calgary homeowners should watch for:
Surface Tunnels and Trails:
Voles leave behind shallow trails on the surface of your lawn. You’ll often see flattened grass or lines across garden beds, under shrubs, or along fences. These surface runways are one of the clearest signs that voles are active in your yard.Chewed Plants and Trees:
If the bark on your young trees looks chewed or your garden plants have been nibbled down close to the soil, voles are likely the cause. They feed heavily on vegetation during Calgary’s colder months when food is limited.Holes in the Ground:
Small openings — usually 2 to 3 inches wide — may appear in your lawn or garden. These holes are entry points to vole tunnels and often connect to long underground networks.Damaged Turf:
As voles tunnel beneath the surface, the soil can shift, creating uneven ground or soft spots. The grass above these tunnels may die, leaving bare patches or thin, unhealthy turf.
Our Vole Control Process
At Pest Control Calgary, we use a comprehensive and effective approach to eliminate voles
and prevent future infestations. Our expert team inspects your property, tailors solutions
to your needs, and implements long-term strategies to keep your lawn protected and healthy.
1. Inspection and Assessment
The first step is a thorough inspection of your Calgary property. Our technicians will:
- Examine your lawn, garden, and surrounding areas for signs of vole activity.
- Identify places where voles are highly active, such as garden beds, shrubs, or tree roots.
- Check for tunneling patterns and holes that indicate established infestations.
2. Customized Control Plan
Every Calgary property is different, so we create a personalized vole control plan based on
the infestation level and your yard’s layout. Your plan may include:
- Habitat Modification: Trimming dense vegetation, reducing mulch buildup, and improving lawn care to make the space less inviting to voles.
- Trapping: For heavier infestations, we may use humane live traps to safely capture and remove voles.
3. Vole Repellents
To discourage voles from entering your property, we apply eco-friendly, non-toxic repellents
that create an unpleasant environment for them. These methods are safe for families, pets,
and gardens.
- Natural Repellents: Plant-based ingredients that voles avoid, helping push them away from your yard.
4. Tunnel Closure and Exclusion
After treating vole activity, we close tunnel systems to prevent re-entry. This may include:
- Filling tunnels with soil or gravel to block old pathways.
- Installing mesh barriers in vulnerable areas such as garden beds and tree bases.
5. Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
To keep your Calgary property protected, we provide ongoing support, including:
- Follow-up inspections to check for renewed vole activity.
- Tips for maintaining a vole-free yard through proper lawn and vegetation care.
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