Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As I continue to enjoy my fall writing break, I hope you enjoy another article from Dr. Angela Foster, one of our Extension Master Gardener volunteers. She’s also an instructor at Craven Community College.

As the fall season arrives, gardeners in Eastern North Carolina are busy preparing their gardens for the coming spring. One of the most popular fall activities is planting bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, which bloom beautifully in the spring. However, these bulbs can become a favorite meal for voles, small rodent-like animals that can wreak havoc on gardens. Voles feed on bulbs, roots, and other plant materials, leaving gardeners frustrated when their spring blooms fail to emerge. Fortunately, there are organic ways to control voles during the fall and winter months, ensuring your bulbs are protected and your garden flourishes in the spring.

Understanding voles and their impact
Voles are small, burrowing rodents that thrive in the moist, cool conditions often found in garden beds. They are active year-round, but their feeding can become particularly destructive during the fall and winter when they burrow beneath the soil to stay warm. Voles feed on the roots, bulbs, and stems of many plants, and their damage often goes unnoticed until spring when plants fail to grow or bulbs disappear completely.
Bulbs like tulips and crocuses are especially vulnerable to vole damage, while others, such as daffodils and alliums, are generally more resistant due to their unappealing taste. However, for gardeners who love planting a variety of bulbs, protecting them from vole damage is essential.

Organic vole control methods
Fortunately, there are several organic methods to control voles and protect your garden during the fall and winter. These methods avoid the use of harsh chemicals, making them safer for the environment and for other wildlife in your garden.

Wire mesh and hardware cloth
One of the most effective ways to protect bulbs from voles is to create physical barriers using wire mesh or hardware cloth. When planting bulbs, line the bottom and sides of the planting hole with hardware cloth. This metal barrier prevents voles from reaching the bulbs while still allowing the roots to grow through. Make sure the mesh has small openings (1/4 inch or less) to block voles, as they are small and can squeeze through larger gaps. Cover the top of the bulbs with soil to secure the barrier.
(NC State Extension, 2018)

Repellent plants
Certain plants can naturally repel voles due to their strong scent or unpalatable taste. Planting these around the perimeter of your bulb beds can create a deterrent. Plants like daffodils, alliums, garlic, and fritillarias are not only beautiful but also serve as a natural defense against voles. These plants are less appealing to voles, and interplanting them with more vulnerable bulbs like tulips can help reduce vole damage.
(University of California IPM Program, 2020)

Mulch and soil management
Voles are drawn to areas with dense vegetation and heavy mulch, which provide them with cover from predators. To reduce vole habitat, avoid using thick layers of mulch in areas where you plant bulbs. Keep mulch layers to a minimum and consider using inorganic mulch materials like gravel or add permatill to the soil profile in vole-prone areas. Additionally, regularly clear away any debris or plant matter that could provide shelter for voles. Maintaining clean garden beds helps reduce their population and makes it more difficult for them to establish burrows.
(NC State Extension, 2019)

Natural predators
Encouraging natural vole predators, such as owls, hawks, and snakes, can help keep vole populations in check. By installing owl boxes or providing suitable habitat for these predators, you can create a natural form of pest control. This method requires minimal effort and can have a long-term impact on reducing vole numbers in your garden.

Conclusion: protect your bulbs, protect your garden
Voles can be a persistent problem for gardeners, especially when planting bulbs in the fall. However, by using organic vole control methods such as wire mesh barriers, repellent plants, careful mulch management, and encouraging natural predators, you can protect your garden and ensure a beautiful spring bloom. By taking action during the fall and winter months, you can reduce vole damage and enjoy a flourishing garden come springtime.

References:
NC State Extension. (2018). Vole Control in Gardens. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/vole-control
NC State Extension. (2019). Mulch for the Home Grounds. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/mulch-for-the-home-grounds
University of California IPM Program. (2020). Voles. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/

If you are having an issue in your home garden or landscape, send your questions to Gene Fox, Consumer Horticulture Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, please email Gene at gene_fox@ncsu.edu or call at (252)946-0111. Check out our Facebook page, Beaufort County Master Gardeners, for The Plant of the Week and Finding Info Friday!