How to Deal with Vole Damage in Your Lawn

If you've stepped out into your Calgary yard in early spring and noticed winding trails of dead grass or sunken paths in the snowmelt, chances are you're you're looking at vole damage. These little critters might be small, but they can make a big mess of your lawn during the winter months. Don’t worry, though. Understanding how voles operate and what you can do to prevent and treat infestations can make all the difference. Let’s dig in.

What Are Voles?

First things first—voles are not the same as moles. People often confuse the two, but they behave quite differently. Voles are small, mouse-like rodents, sometimes called field mice. They’re herbivores that love to munch on grass, roots, bulbs, and even tree bark. In Calgary, they’re especially active under the snowpack during the winter, tunneling just below the surface of your lawn while they stay insulated and hidden from predators.

Why Vole Damage Happens in Calgary

Calgary winters create the perfect storm for vole damage. The snow cover insulates the ground and hides voles from predators like owls, hawks, and foxes. This gives them a safe environment to tunnel, nest, and feed without much interference. By the time the snow disappears in late March or early April, homeowners are left with unsightly trails and sometimes even damaged shrubs or young trees with gnawed bark at the base.

What Does Vole Damage Look Like?

Vole damage is easy to spot once you know what to look for:

• Winding, shallow tunnels or pathways across your lawn.

• Dead or matted grass in these paths.

• Chewed bark at the base of young trees or shrubs.

• Exposed soil where voles have eaten away grass roots.

While the damage might look dramatic, the good news is that your lawn is often more resilient than it appears.

How to Fix Vole Damage

If you’ve already discovered vole damage in your yard this spring, don’t panic. Most lawns bounce back with a little care and maintenance. Here’s what you can do:

1. Rake and Aerate

Start by gently raking out the dead grass and debris from the affected areas. This helps the healthy grass around it spread and take over. If the soil is compacted or the damage is widespread, aerating your lawn can encourage new root growth and improve drainage.

2. Overseed Bare Spots

Use a grass seed blend appropriate for Calgary’s climate (Kentucky bluegrass or fescue varieties tend to do well here) and overseed the damaged areas. Add a light layer of topsoil or compost to help the seed take root.

3. Water Regularly

Keep the soil moist but not soaked. Consistent watering helps new grass grow and fill in those tunnels quickly.

4. Fertilize Appropriately

A spring lawn fertilizer can give your grass the nutrients it needs to recover. Just make sure not to overdo it, as too much nitrogen can burn your lawn or encourage weed growth.

How to Prevent Vole Damage in the First Place

The best way to deal with voles? Stop them before they start. Here are some preventive steps you can take before the snow flies again:

1. Keep Grass Short in the Fall

Before winter, mow your lawn one final time and trim any tall grass or weeds. Voles love hiding in long grass, so giving them fewer places to nest can discourage them from sticking around.

2. Remove Yard Debris

Clean up leaves, wood piles, and dense vegetation, especially near fences and garden beds. These are ideal hiding spots for voles during the warmer months.

3. Tree and Shrub Protection

Wrap the base of young trees with tree guards or hardware cloth to prevent bark chewing during the winter.

4. Snow Management

If possible, avoid letting snow pile up heavily in certain areas of your yard, particularly near trees and flower beds. Shovelling or spreading it out evenly can reduce the insulated cover voles rely on.

When to Call a Professional

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, voles can take over. If you’re seeing repeated or severe damage, it may be time to call in the pros. A pest control professional can:

• Identify how severe your infestation is.

• Offer targeted baiting or trapping strategies.

• Provide long-term solutions tailored to your yard and Calgary’s unique climate.

Trying to manage a vole problem on your own can be time-consuming and frustrating—especially if you’re not sure how widespread the issue is. At PreventX, we’ve helped countless Calgary homeowners reclaim their lawns from pesky voles with safe, effective treatments that won’t harm your pets or the environment.

Final Thoughts

While vole damage might seem like an ugly surprise after a long Calgary winter, the truth is, it’s fixable—and preventable. With a little lawn care and the right prevention techniques, your yard can bounce back in no time. And if you ever feel like the voles are getting the upper hand, remember that a professional pest control team is just a phone call away.

Want help assessing or treating vole damage in your yard? Contact PreventX today for a free consultation. We’re proud to serve homeowners across Calgary with dependable, environmentally-conscious pest control solutions.