LifestyleHow to rid your garden of voles with a simple pharmacy buy

How to rid your garden of voles with a simple pharmacy buy

How to get rid of a vole from the garden?
How to get rid of a vole from the garden?
Images source: © Adobe Stock | Colin Ward

12:36 PM EDT, June 25, 2024

It looks like a cross between an otter and a hamster. Don't let its appearance fool you—this rodent is a pest. In a short time, it can destroy your crops. How can you get rid of a vole without harming it? You only need one thing, which you can buy at any pharmacy.

The vole is a small mammal from the hamster family that can reach 5 to 10 inches. It looks cute and innocent, but don’t be deceived by appearances—this is one of the most voracious garden pests. It feeds on roots, tubers, rhizomes, bulbs, and fruits, destroying plants.

Though this mammal is considered a pest, it is under partial species protection. You cannot harm or kill it. To get rid of a vole from the garden humanely, you only need one thing, which you can buy at any pharmacy.

How to recognize a vole?

The vole looks like a mix between a hamster, an otter, and a guinea pig. It measures between 5 and 10 inches and weighs from about 1 ounce to even 21 ounces. It lives for one to two years and leads a nocturnal lifestyle; living in tunnels, it digs itself. It comes out after dark in search of food.

How do you recognize that a vole has settled in your garden? Pay attention to two things. The first is the ground: if small, flat mounds appear on it, it’s a sign that the pest has dug tunnels. The second is the plants: the vole feeds on shoots, tubers, and roots, causing them to wither visibly.

How to get rid of a vole from the garden?

The vole is one of the mammals that does not hibernate. It is active throughout the year. When it settles in the garden, it may stay there for up to two years, causing significant damage. How can you get rid of a vole from the garden? Traps or chemical agents are not an option, as the pest is under species protection.

The only solution is a natural rodent repellent. Voles cannot stand the smell of mint. Plant it in the garden, and the pest will quickly leave. If this method does not bring the desired effect, use the power of peppermint oil. You can buy it at any pharmacy for about $1.

How to use it? Prepare a 1-quart spray bottle and fill it with water. Add two tablespoons of peppermint oil and mix thoroughly. The spray is ready to use. Spray it in the garden, and the vole will flee in panic.

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