You dream of a lush and productive garden, but an invisible threat can sabotage your efforts: voles. These small, discreet rodents can cause significant damage to plantings, fruits, and even the structures of your garden. Discover how to understand and effectively manage vole populations in your green space.
The field vole, often called the garden vole, is a mammal widespread in our regions. Its gray-brown coat and small size make it discreet, but its impact can be devastating. Its rapid reproduction and ability to colonize a garden in a short time make it a challenge for any gardener.
Understanding the Garden Vole
The garden vole is a nocturnal animal, preferring humid and vegetation-rich areas. It feeds mainly on seeds, fruits, insects, and roots. A female can have up to 5 litters per year, with 4 to 8 pups per litter, explaining its capacity for proliferation.
Physical Characteristics of the Garden Vole
- Size: 7 to 10 cm long, without the tail.
- Weight: 15 to 30 grams.
- Coat: gray-brown on the back, white on the belly.
- Tail: slightly shorter than the body, covered in short hairs.
- Ears: small and rounded.
Ecological Role of the Garden Vole
The garden vole plays an important role in the ecosystem, serving as prey for many predators such as birds of prey, snakes, and cats. It also contributes to seed dispersal, thus participating in the regeneration of vegetation.
The Damage Caused by Voles in the Garden
Voles can cause significant damage to gardens, affecting crops, fruit trees, and even structures. They gnaw on roots, bulbs, stems, and fruits, causing significant crop losses.
- Rodents: Voles attack roots, bulbs, stems, and fruits, causing crop losses.
- Plantings: They can dig up seedlings and young plants, making them vulnerable to disease.
- Fruit Trees: They climb trees and gnaw on the bark, affecting growth and fruit production.
- Structures: They can cause damage to wooden structures, electrical cables, and insulation materials.
Transmission of Diseases by Voles
Voles can be carriers of zoonotic diseases, transmitted to humans. Leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) are examples of diseases potentially transmitted by voles. It is therefore essential to limit direct contact with these animals.
Prevention Methods
The best approach to managing voles in the garden is prevention. By limiting their access, removing food sources, and making the environment less attractive, you can minimize the risk of infestation.
Preventive Measures to Keep Voles Away
- Physical Barriers: Install metal mesh around plantings and buildings to prevent voles from entering.
- Hygiene Measures: Eliminate sources of food and water available to voles, such as food scraps, fallen fruit, and stagnant water.
- Garden Layout: Create an environment less attractive to voles by limiting dense vegetation areas, favoring repellent plants, and regularly cleaning debris.
Choice of Crops to Avoid Voles
Some types of crops are more resistant to voles. Opt for plants with deep roots, fruits protected by a hard shell, or leaves that are aromatic and repellent. For example, garlic, onion, and mint are known for their repellent effect on voles.
Regular Garden Maintenance
A clean and well-maintained garden is less attractive to voles. Mow the lawn regularly, clean up debris and dead leaves, and eliminate sources of food and water. These simple actions can make a big difference.
Alternatives to Poisons for Repelling Voles
Rodenticides can have negative effects on the environment and health. It is preferable to favor non-lethal solutions, such as natural repellents, repellent plants, and ultrasound.
- Natural Repellents: The use of essential oils such as peppermint oil or citronella oil can deter voles.
- Repellent Plants: Planting aromatic plants such as lavender, rosemary, and thyme can create a natural barrier against voles.
- Ultrasound: Devices emitting ultrasound can disturb voles and prevent them from settling in the garden.
Management Solutions for Controlling Vole Populations
If preventive measures are not enough, it may be necessary to resort to management solutions to control vole populations.
Trapping and Capture
Trapping is an effective method for capturing voles. There are several types of traps available, including cage traps and glue traps. It is important to comply with local regulations and handle traps with care. Cage traps are generally more humane because they do not injure the animals.
Biological Control
The use of natural predators such as cats, birds of prey, and snakes can help control vole populations. It is important to ensure that these predators are well-fed and that their presence is tolerated in the garden. However, caution and responsibility are required when using this method.
Chemical Control
Rodenticides should be used as a last resort, when other solutions have failed. These products can be dangerous to the environment and health. It is important to use them with caution and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Ethical Considerations
The management of vole populations must take ethical aspects into account. It is important to find sustainable solutions that respect the ecosystem and animal welfare. The use of poisons is often considered cruel and can have negative effects on the entire fauna.
Case Study: The Dubois Family Garden
The Dubois family, residing near a forest, noticed a significant increase in the presence of voles in their garden. The voles caused significant damage to tomato, zucchini, and strawberry plantings. The Dubois family implemented a strategy combining prevention and management methods. They installed metal mesh around the plantings, cleaned up debris and dead leaves, and used cage traps to capture the voles. After a few weeks, they saw a significant reduction in the vole population in their garden.
Voles are a challenge for any gardener, but by using the prevention and management methods described in this article, you can reduce damage and protect your plants and your environment.