Have you ever wondered what has been happening underneath the snow during the winter months? This past winter was brutally cold with temperatures dropping well below zero. Looking out the window, you can think that nothing is happening out there. However, voles live under the snow. Voles take advantage of the snow cover to eat the grass in your lawn.

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Here are a few facts about voles that will help you understand why they’re doing what they’re doing to your lawn. Voles are diurnal, which means they are active during the day. Whereas, mice are nocturnal or mainly active during the night. During the summer months, voles hide underneath low-lying bushes and in taller grass. They make sure they’re not seen by all the different animals that want to eat them. For example, if they wander into the middle of your yard during the day, there is a good chance a raptor bird could swoop down and get them.

Voles spend their summer months building up their populations. Just like mice, female voles can have between 5 and 10 litters in one year. If your yard is overwhelmed by voles, it may be time to implement a plan for controlling their overall numbers around your yard. The most natural way to do that is to modify the landscaping plants to reduce how attractive your yard is to them in the first place. Remember, they love to hide, so the fewer places you can provide, the better your plan will work. This can include regularly mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, and choosing plants that have less ground cover. Note, by removing leaves from underneath low bushes and removing debris, can make it less “safe” feeling for mice. Leaves stuck under bushes are perfect for mice and voles to hide and keep warm. Removing leaves helps reduce mice and voles and also helps control insects as well!