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There are many ways to
fight vole infestations, from traps to poisons to cats. Because of the
scale of our operation, we have found that mouse bait works best for us.
If you have a problem with voles but the damage is not severe, it might be
better to place mouse traps baited with a small piece of apple or walnut
near any small holes you find in your garden. Cover them with a heavy
pot to keep out unintended victims and move them from hole to hole if you
don't catch anything.
The problem with mouse
baits, and most poisons, is that there can be unintended victims if you are
not careful, and probably even if you are careful. We have cobbled
together an inexpensive bait station that is simple to make from materials
you can get at most home centers or hardware stores with a good plumbing
department. It has worked well for us here at the nursery and in our
gardens.
Materials consist of
three PVC fittings, a 1½" ell, a 1½" closed cap, and a 1½ x 1" bushing. We
use unthreaded fittings. Total cost of the three pieces at our Lowes was
$2.51. We use an ell with a bushing to make it harder for larger critters to
get to the bait. I suspect squirrels would have a hard time getting
in, but chipmunks could probably make it. I can't guarantee anything,
so use your own judgment. A piece of wire and a bait block are
the only other materials. It can be spray painted if you like.
Construction takes about
20 seconds, and involves drilling a small hole on one end of the ell, and
adding the cap and bushing. The cap closes one end, and the bushing
narrows the opening on the other to limit the size of animal that can get
in. Bait blocks usually have a hole through them, and we run the wire
through the block and the ell because they will try to take the bait back to
their nest if they can. Usually they can't, so it winds up laying on
the ground somewhere if you don't wire it in. Remember that mouse bait is
poison, and not just to mice. Use some common sense in deciding if and where
you are going to use it.
The bait is at least 2½"
from the entrance, so the victim has to be small enough to get inside the 1"
opening to get at it.
Inspection and refilling
are simple. We just lay the stations on the ground but they can be
covered if you like.
The piece is very strong
and should last a long time.
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