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Voles (Microtus spp.) and mice (Peromyscus spp.) chew on irrigation lines as well as bases of grapevines near ground level. Voles are most problematic during winter months when they chew on trunks, whereas mice cause more damage to fruit during summer. Teeth marks on trunks or fruit and high concentrations of vole runs or holes are key identifying characteristics.

Meadow vole.

(Photo: Andrew G. Hope, U.S. Geological Service)

Vole feeding damage to trunk.

(Photo: Lynn Wunderlich © 2019 UC Regents)

Entrance to vole tunnel.

(Photo: Elizabeth Bush, Virginia Tech, Bugwood.org)

Tall grass (left) is suitable habitat for voles, while mowed grass (right) deters voles.

(Photo: Matt Springer, University of Kentucky)

Management:

• Use a combination of habitat management and avian predators to offset vole or mouse populations.
• Keep grass mowed between rows to limit habitat cover.
• Place 12- to 15-foot-tall perch (1-inch diameter PVC pipes with a 1-foot roost section mounted perpendicular at the top) to attract natural avian predators.

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