You may notice vole activity after snow melts, exposing their distinctive surface runways in your yard. While voles don’t tunnel like moles, they will burrow underground or in dense vegetation to make a den. Voles are prolific breeders that can have booms in population when food sources are plentiful and predators are scarce. In a suburban setting, voles will colonize gardens and mulch beds where conditions are ideal.
Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)
Although there are many species of voles occupying the Americas, the most common vole found in Indiana is the meadow vole. They look very similar to mice, but their short tail distinguishes them. Unlike moles, voles will den in family units. Unlike moles, voles will den in family units. Because of the rapid rate reproduction, populations can get out of control quickly. When populations boom, dens and runways become much more noticeable.
