DIET:
Voles are scavengers, they will eat anything they think they can. Species such as the meadow vole that are mainly found in grassy agricultural land are seen as a pest as they eat and damage crops and also eat plants and ruin lawns in gardens.
LIFE CYCLE/REPRODUCTION:
Vole numbers fluctuate from year to year; under favorable conditions their populations can increase rapidly. Voles may breed at any time of year, but their peak breeding period is in spring. Female Voles mature in 35 to 40 days and can have up to five to
ten litters per year.
TYPES OF DAMAGE/DISEASE:
Typical Vole damage in Wisconsin is loss of mature and young trees and shrubs during winter, as well as pathways worn down in lawns from constant travel. Voles can cause extensive damage to trees, shrubs, orchards and ornamental plants by girdling trees and shrubs. They prefer the bark of young trees but will attack any tree, regardless of age, when food is scarce. They may damage trees as high as the snow accumulates and may also harm Christmas trees stacked after cutting, making vole control crucial at this time of year.
MOLES AND VOLES COMMONLY CONFUSED:
One thing we run into is confusion between moles and voles. We do have moles in the state of Wisconsin, but not in the counties of Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, and Milwaukee.
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