Voles are small mammals that feed on grasses, legumes, corn, soybean, wheat, and horticultural plants such as flowers, shrubs, orchards, lawns and gardens. They are different from mice in that have short tails, stocky bodies and short legs. There are three species found in Missouri which are woodland, meadow and prairie voles.

Voles are food sources for predators such as coyotes, hawks and snakes. All species have high reproduction rates and have many young through the year.

Prairie vole are the most common and significant damage has been reported in pasture east of St. Joseph, Missouri. Populations can explode causing severe plant injury as they feed on plants. They will clip grass stems, girdle stems of woody plants and gnaw roots of plants. In summer and fall, they will store seeds and parts of roots for winter. No-till plantings can be targeted as they will eat seed.

Voles live in colonies and will have a network of underground runways. The runs of meadow and prairie voles are on the soil surface and lead to underground dens. Woodland voles are usually underground. One colony can cover an area of a quarter of an acre in size.

Vole damage can be controlled by alternate source of food such as spreading shelled corn in no-till so voles will leave planted corn alone and feed on spread corn. Mowing to control height of vegetation and tillage can reduce ground cover that voles use.

Refer to the University of Missouri Extension Guidesheet G9445 “Controlling Voles in Horticulture Plantings and Orchards in Missouri” for more information.

Also, for more information, contact Wayne Flanary, Field Specialist in Agronomy, University of Missouri Extension, 816-279-1691, at Buchanan County Extension Center.