St. George, Utah  

Is that a mouse or a vole?

What is that creature running around in your yard? Is it what you think it is? Often times, when we see any type of rodent, our immediate reaction is to think it is a mouse. However, what you might be seeing may not be a mouse – it may be a vole. Voles can be found all over Utah, including: St. George, Cedar City, Washington, Enoch, Dammeron Valley, Diamond Valley, Hurricane, La Verkin, Toquerville, Santa Clara, Ivins, and even near Salt Lake City. Voles can cause a lot of damage to your property. They will sneak into your yard and chew up the roots and stems of your plants, leaving your yard destroyed. But how can you tell if what you see in your yard is a vole or a mouse?

What is the difference between a vole and a mouse?

Voles do resemble mice, but there are differences. Voles have stouter bodies and shorter tails with more hair. They also have smaller eyes and ears than mice. Voles are active both day and night, and like to stay hidden from their predators. For example, they will travel under snow to stay covered, or burrow under ground to stay out of sight. The perk of this trait means that it is unlikely that you will find a vole inside your home.  Voles love eating plants by gnawing around roots. Every 3 to 5 years, there is a vole population boom and most property owners don’t actually discover that they have a vole issue until their plants have died or they find a trail of dead grass in their yard.

How do you get rid of voles?

Experts suggests modifying your yard. By eliminating weeds, ground covers, lawn ornaments, or litter, you are decreasing the likelihood of vole damage. Additionally, mowing your lawn regularly in warmer months and clearing snow from the base of trees and shrubs in colder months will help protect your yard from voles. Cats are predators of voles – by investing in a cat, you may be able to protect and defend your home against these rodents. If these tips don’t work, give us a call at Bybee Pest Control. We have the tools needed to protect your home against voles. We service Northern and Southern Utah, including Saint George, Cedar City, Washington, Dammeron Valley, Diamond Valley, Parowan, Hurricane, La Verkin, Toquerville, Enoch, Santa Clara, Ivins, and Salt Lake City.