Voles Thrive in Idaho's Climate

Idaho's climate, with its mild winters and wet springs, provides the ideal environment for voles to thrive. In particular, southern Idaho has seen significant population spikes in vole numbers, particularly in agricultural regions. Vole populations tend to fluctuate in cycles, with numbers sometimes soaring during favorable weather conditions. In fact, during the 2014-2015 season, some Idaho farmers reported crop losses of up to 50% due to vole infestations(Gunn & Hirnyck, 2016). This fluctuation is largely due to the voles' remarkable reproductive capacity, as a single female can give birth to dozens of offspring in a single year.

Voles Are Voracious Eaters

Voles feed on a wide variety of plant material, including grasses, roots, bulbs, and even tree bark. They create extensive tunnel systems just below the surface, allowing them to access and damage a large area without being seen. In Idaho, voles have been particularly destructive to alfalfa, rangeland, and pastures, with infestations causing yield reductions in affected areas. Homeowners and gardeners are not spared from this damage, as voles often wreak havoc on lawns, gardens, and small orchards(Gunn & Hirnyck, 2016).

Voles Can Survive Harsh Conditions

Voles are incredibly adaptable and can survive in a variety of habitats, from forests and fields to urban areas. One notable species found in Idaho is the montane vole (Microtus montanus), which is well-suited to the colder, high-altitude regions of the state. These voles have been known to survive in conditions where other small mammals might struggle, making them a persistent pest even in the harsher Idaho winters(Seeley & Reynolds, 1989).

Voles Pose a Challenge to Farmers and Homeowners

For Idaho farmers, voles represent a significant agricultural threat. Their tunneling behavior not only destroys crops but can also disturb soil structure, making it difficult for plants to grow. Additionally, voles can undermine irrigation systems and cause further damage to farmland infrastructure. Farmers in southeastern Idaho have reported vole populations as high as 200 per acre, which has led to major crop losses and, in some cases, fields being removed from production(Gunn & Hirnyck, 2016). Farmers aside, homeowners put in countless efforts to maintain a yard and property only to see tunnels and damage to it.

Are Voles Blind?

While voles are not completely blind, their vision is poor and primarily adapted for low-light environments. These small rodents rely much more on their other senses, such as smell, touch, and hearing, to navigate their surroundings and detect predators or food. Voles are primarily active during dawn and dusk, making their limited eyesight suitable for dim conditions. Their reliance on tunneling and living underground further reduces the need for sharp vision. Instead, they use their whiskers (vibrissae) to sense their environment as they burrow through soil and navigate complex tunnel systems (Gashwiler, 1972). Though not blind, voles compensate for their visual limitations with other highly developed senses that aid in their survival.

Managing Vole Populations

Given the damage voles can cause, it is crucial to implement effective vole management strategies. Integrated pest management (IPM) programs, which combine habitat modification, trapping, and the use of baits, have been shown to be the most effective approach. Habitat modification, such as reducing vegetation cover, can make the environment less favorable for voles, thereby reducing their population density. In agricultural settings, monitoring vole activity through GIS/GPS mapping tools has been helpful in tracking vole populations and determining the best time to implement control measures(Gunn & Hirnyck, 2016).

Additionally, Idaho's climate plays a key role in vole population dynamics. During periods of mild winters and wet springs, vole populations tend to surge, making proactive pest control measures all the more important. Voles are not a protected species in Idaho, allowing farmers and homeowners to take direct action against them without legal restrictions(Gunn & Hirnyck, 2016).

Difference Between a Mole and a Vole

Though often confused due to their similar subterranean lifestyles, moles and voles are quite different in both appearance and behavior. Moles are insectivores, primarily feeding on earthworms, grubs, and other small invertebrates. They have large, paddle-like front feet adapted for digging, with small eyes and ears, giving them a distinct appearance. Moles create extensive underground tunnel systems, often identified by the raised ridges they leave in lawns and gardens. In contrast, voles are rodents that feed mainly on plant material such as roots, seeds, and bark. Voles have small, stocky bodies, short tails, and do not have the specialized digging adaptations seen in moles. While moles leave visible mounds, voles create shallow runways at the surface, often hidden under grass or mulch (Gunn & Hirnyck, 2016). Understanding the differences between these two pests is important when addressing lawn and garden damage.

Conclusion

Voles may be small, but their impact on Idaho's agricultural and natural landscapes can be enormous. With their ability to reproduce rapidly and cause widespread damage, managing vole populations is essential for farmers and homeowners alike. Implementing integrated pest management strategies, coupled with careful monitoring of vole activity, can help reduce the damage caused by these persistent pests.

Works Cited

Gunn, D., & Hirnyck, R. (2016). Managing Voles in Idaho Crops and Landscapes. University of Idaho Extension.https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5ts8x6f0.

Seeley, R., & Reynolds, T. (1989). Effect of indomethacin-treated wheat on a wild population of montane voles. The Great Basin Naturalist, vol. 49, pp. 12.https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol49/iss4/12/.

J. S. Gashwiler et al. "Life History Notes on the Oregon Vole, Microtus oregoni." Journal of Mammalogy, 53 (1972): 558-569. https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article-abstract/53/3/558/897658?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false.