Most people tolerate a few weeds in their lawn or the discoloration that happens during a drought. These are things that only affect curb appeal a little bit. What affects curb appeal a lot is vole damage. These small ground rodents are the worst thing that could ever happen to your landscaping. Whether you are an avid lawn lover or someone who doesn't want their property to look terrible, here are some things you should know to combat problematic voles in Highland.
What Are Voles?
Voles are a breed of rodents that are objectively cute but horrendously problematic. These common Highland pests have heavy bodies, small eyes, short tails, and partially hidden ears. Adult voles grow to between five and eight inches long and have prominent orange teeth, which they use to gnaw on plant roots and stems. If you have never heard the name vole before, you may know these pests as meadow mice.
Do Voles Invade Homes?
Unlike rodents like mice and rats, voles are not known to invade man-made structures unless that structure is a greenhouse. Voles prefer and need to live outdoors where they can tunnel underground and feed on local vegetation. With this said, there is one instance where a vole might try to get indoors, which is to gain shelter from unfavorable weather conditions. You might find one of these furry pests in your home or outbuilding during the fall and winter months.
Are Voles Dangerous?
The closer voles are to your home, the more dangerous they are. These pests carry disease-causing organisms and can spread these organisms through their fecal droppings and urine. Voles are also known to carry pests like fleas and ticks. If these smaller parasites jump off voles close to your home's exterior, they might find their way inside through cracks and gaps, which poses a whole different set of problems.
Some Tips To Deter Voles
Whether you are looking for a way to keep voles out of your yard or some strategies to keep them from invading your home this fall and winter, we have some prevention methods you need to try. Here are some great places to start:
- Remove debris from your property by cleaning up leaf piles, sticks, and other organic clutter.
- Clean up toys, junk, and other clutter from your yard.
- Store woodpiles in safe, covered locations a good distance from your home's exterior.
- Trim your grass regularly and do your best to keep up with your landscaping.
- Remove bird feeders from your property or invest in some that are rodent-proof.
- Use caulk or liquid cement to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your exterior foundation.
- Install metal screens over vents and downspouts for gutters.
- Make sure your window and door screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps are in good condition.
Why Voles Are Destructive And How To Get Them Off Your Property
Voles destroy lawns by tunneling under them and consuming the roots of the grass. These tunnels regularly collapse, leaving unsightly trenches behind. Voles are also known for consuming other vegetation and damaging garden plants.
If you suspect these pests are causing trouble on your property, do not hesitate to call the professionals at TrueShield Pest Control. We will send one of our qualified pest technicians your way with a quick and effective answer to your problem.
Call today to learn about our rodent control services in Highland or schedule your property for a service visit.
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