Knowledgebase
Soil tunneling #819528
Asked January 31, 2023, 3:14 PM EST
Carroll County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi Jim,
We can't say for certain if the tunnels are caused by voles, but it does appear to be that way. Our webpage on voles, can help with a further understanding of their presence, but it can be challenging to eliminate them though.
Garden centers or larger hardware stores may have a granular product that can help drive them away with natural repellents using strong smelling scents (garlic extract). If you decide to try this approach before a lethal method, it will likely take persistence. Just be sure to follow the directions on the product.
Another suggested method is to try is to set bait traps with food, like the snap-traps used for mice, but if you have a larger population this could also be an endless task. We do not recommend using poison, as this can effect predatory animals in the food web.
Trying to reduce a favorable habitat per some suggestions on the website, and other safe-guarding techniques for plants, is mostly what you can do.
Please reach out if you have further questions.
Emily