S & W Pest Management Inc : Insect Guide

Vole
Microtus spp
Color: Dark brown to greyish brown
Legs: Four
Shape: Round
Size: 5" - 7" with a shorter tail
Antennae: No
Flight: No

Voles are also known as "meadow mice", "orchard mice" or "field mice". They are poor climbers and are usually found in the lower levels of buildings. Voles establish runways that usually tunnel beneath vegetation or in the ground just below the surface. Voles also are known to stip the trunks of fruit trees which often results in the death of the tree.

Widely spread across the country, voles primarily live outdoors, preferring dense grassy areas such as meadows or fields. For that reason, homes and buildings these rodents might infest tend to be near such fields. Voles can also be found nesting in stables or barns.

Prevention:

Make sure all holes and cracks larger around than a pencil are sealed.
Store fire wood away from your home and remove piles of lumber or other decaying wood that could serve as a nesting site.
Eliminate sources of moisture such as leaky faucets, plumbing, and free-standing water. Also, make sure that your sprinkler system does not spray directly onto the foundation of your home or business.
Do not allow piles of leaves to accumulate next to the home's foundation, it can serve as hiding places for rodents as well as termites and ants.
Install weather strip on the bottom of all doors to prevent entery.

If you would like to make an appointment with S & W Pest Management, please fill out the online appointment form or call 1-877-989-BUGS.