Damage Identification

Signs of prairie and meadow voles are found mostly above ground, such as trails in the grass and grass clippings and feces at the base of large clumps of grass. Feces may be brown or green, shaped like wheat grains, and are frequently left in small piles. Surface runways at ground level usually lead to entrance holes, which are about 1½ inch in diameter. Girdling of the tree at ground level will reveal paired grooves left by chisel-like teeth. Girdling completely around the tree trunk will kill the tree, so any indication of above ground damage is cause for instituting a control program.

Rabbits also chew on trees, but the girdling begins several inches above the soil surface. Rabbits have much larger incisor teeth than voles, which will be reflected in the size of the grooves of the girdled tree. Rabbit damage can be controlled with a plastic tree guard, but these devices will not prevent damage from prairie or meadow voles.

Voles do not commonly invade homes and should not be confused with the house mouse (Mus musculus). House mice are smaller in size than voles, have large ears, and a 3- to 4-inch long tail.