How Voles Kill Plants in Pots

Voles, also known as meadow mice, are small rodents that can cause significant harm to potted plants. These creatures are able to thrive in many different environments, but they especially love to take up residence in gardens and lawns. They can quickly become a nuisance, especially when they start to feed on your carefully cultivated plants. In this article, we will explore how voles are able to kill plants in pots and what you can do to stop them from causing any further damage.

What Are Voles?

Voles are small rodents that belong to the family Cricetidae, which includes over 600 different species. They are often confused with mice, but voles have a more compact body and much shorter tails. They can be found in many different habitats, from grassy fields to wooded areas. Although they primarily feed on plants and insects, voles have been known to eat small animals such as snails, slugs, and even other rodents.

How Do Voles Kill Plants?

Voles are notorious for their ability to kill plants. They use their sharp teeth to gnaw through the roots of plants, which can lead to stunted growth or even death. They are also known to strip the bark off of shrubs and trees, which can cause them to die quickly. Voles are especially problematic for plants grown in pots because they can tunnel under the soil and easily access the roots of the plant. Once voles have found a potted plant, they will continue to feed on it until it is dead or until they can no longer find anything to eat.

How to Prevent Voles from Killing Plants in Pots

Preventing voles from killing plants in pots requires a multifaceted approach. Here are some steps you can take to keep voles away from your potted plants:

Remove any debris or brush piles that may attract voles to your garden or lawn

Mow your grass regularly and keep it short to discourage voles from taking up residence

Use fences or barriers around your potted plants to prevent voles from accessing them

Apply repellents to your potted plants to make them less appetizing to voles

Plant daffodils, alliums or other bulbs in between your potted plants, voles dislike their smell and taste

By implementing these preventative measures, you can greatly reduce the risk of voles killing your plants in pots. However, if you already have voles in your garden or lawn, you may need to take more drastic measures to get rid of them.

How to Get Rid of Voles

Getting rid of voles can be challenging, but there are several effective methods that you can use. Here are a few solutions that have been successful:

Trapping: Place mousetraps around your garden or lawn to catch voles

Poison: Use baits to kill off voles, but be careful to keep them out of reach of pets and children

Natural predators: Encourage natural predators of voles to inhabit your garden, such as cats and owls

It's important to be persistent in your efforts to get rid of voles, as they can be quite resilient. By taking these steps, you can help protect your potted plants and keep voles from causing any further damage.

Conclusion

Voles can be a major threat to potted plants, causing significant damage and even death. By taking preventative measures and using effective methods to get rid of these rodents, you can keep your potted plants safe and healthy. With a little effort and a lot of determination, you can protect your garden and ensure that your plants thrive for years to come.