Have you ever woken up, grabbed your coffee, stepped outside, and immediately thought, “Do voles dig up my lawns at night?” If so, you’re definitely not alone—especially here in Edmonton. Those small, mysterious holes and messy trails do not appear overnight out of the blue. In Edmonton, there are often voles at work, busy beneath your lawn while you’re sleeping.

Keep your stress aside. With some help from local pest experts like Major Pest Control, you can easily identify the culprits. You can also stop the damage and restore your beautiful yard.

Do Voles Dig Up My Lawns at Night?

If you suspect voles are damaging your yard, especially here in Canada, you can detect certain clear signs. Voles typically create shallow, surface-level tunnels known as runways, approximately 1 to 2 inches wide.

You can spot these animal trails by looking for squashed or dried-up grass paths mixed with areas where the dirt is completely bare. If you look closer, you’ll notice plants along these paths that look like they’ve been neatly chewed down—almost like tiny lawnmowers went through! Another big hint? The roots of nearby plants might be damaged, making them droop or turn yellow, like they’re not getting enough water.

Detailed Signs of Vole Activity and Damage

• Runways: There are some significant signs about Vole’s runways. Those are shallow and left trails about 1-2 inches wide. It can stretch across your yard. You can clearly see it after the snow melts in spring. Typically, these trails leave flattened or dead grass that you will never miss.
• Clipped Vegetation: Voles like eating fresh plants. So near the runways, you’ll see plants and grass cut short and neat. These short, clipped areas show clearly where voles have been feeding.
• Plant Damage: Voles are a ferocious plant damager. Here’s how:

• Burrows: Usually, voles dig short, shallow burrows hidden by grass or debris. These burrows provide safe hiding spots for voles. These nests are made from grass, leaves, and stems,
• Feces and Vegetation: Within vole runways, you’ll find small droppings and bits of clipped vegetation. If you ever see those, it means voles are in your yard.
• Visible Voles: Sometimes you can actually see voles, especially in the early morning or late evening. They are small, mouse-like rodents with short tails scurrying through the grass.

Common Lawn Pests in Edmonton

Before taking any actions to prevent your lawn from damage, you need to identify the pest responsible. You need to make sure whether it is mice, voles, moles, or shrews.

Voles

You can easily mistake voles for mice because they are visually very similar. Voles are stocky rodents with shorter tails and smaller ears. These mouse-like creatures have short tails, rounded bodies, and dense fur, typically brown or grey. This burrowing rodent is found across various regions, including Alberta. Unlike mice, voles prefer to stay outdoors. So, lawns and yards became their target.

Mice

Mice, as usual, are more likely to invade indoor spaces during Edmonton’s cold winters. o they don’t damage lawns directly. They are small, fast-breeding rodents across Canada, including homes and farms. House and deer mice cause problems by chewing wiring, insulation, and food supplies.

Shrews

Shrews are tiny, insect-eating mammals found across Canada. You can often mistake them for mice or voles. Unlike rodents, they have pointed snouts, small eyes, and high metabolism. They require constant food intake. Shrews help control insect populations but can become a nuisance if they invade homes or gardens.

Moles

Due to climate constraints, moles are less common in Edmonton. They create deep tunnels and distinct dirt mounds. Their destruction is noticeably different from voles. They dig deeper below the surface and cause more disruptive tunnelling. So, the root systems are harmed, leading the plants to die.

Read also: All About Voles, Moles, Gophers Control In Edmonton

How to Get Rid Of Voles Naturally

You don’t need harsh chemicals to get rid of voles naturally from your property. By making a few simple changes, you can convince voles that your yard isn’t the right place for them. With some patience and persistence, you can make them move on, leaving your garden and lawn to thrive once again.

1. Make Your Yard Clean

Voles love thick grass, weeds, and cluttered spaces to hide and tunnel. The more overgrown your yard, the more safer they will feel. Trim your grass regularly, clear brush piles, and tide up garden beds. t will make it harder for them to move around unnoticed.

2. Reduce Their Food Sources

Voles are always on the lookout for food. If they find a buffet in your yard, they’ll stick around. By leaving fallen fruit, seeds, or nuts on the ground, you are unknowingly inviting them. Store birdseed in sealed containers. Also, if you have a vegetable garden, harvest ripe produce promptly to avoid them.

3. Recruit Natural Predators

Nature has already provided a built-in vole control system. Predators like owls, hawks, and even outdoor cats are voles’ enemies. You can hang an owl nesting box in your yard to attract these silent nighttime hunters. If you have a cat, let them patrol the yard to keep voles at bay.

4. Use Natural Repellents

Voles rely heavily on their sense of smell. o strong scents can drive them away. You can mix up a simple homemade spray using

• Castor oil
• Water
• A few drops of dish soap

And apply it around vole tunnels and garden beds. Garlic and hot pepper sprays also work well. Another trick? Predator urine, like fox or coyote urine (available at garden stores), can make voles think danger is near and encourage them to relocate.

5. Block Their Tunnels

If you have young trees or vulnerable plants, protect them by installing a barrier made from ¼-inch hardware cloth. Dig it at least 6-12 inches deep to prevent voles from tunnelling under it. You can even wrap vulnerable spots like garden beds in this underground shield to keep them out.

6. Use Vole Traps and Relocate

If your garden already has a lot of insects, use traps. Bait the traps with peanut butter, apples, or sunflower seeds and place them near vole tunnels. Once caught, take them at least a mile away to a wooded or grassy area where they can live without destroying your yard.

How to Catch Voles by DIY 

You can reduce vole populations by setting humane traps along their visible trails. Vole loves peanut butter, apples, or grains. So use those as bait. Maintain your lawn properly. Mow regularly, remove debris, and trim vegetation to reduce the attraction of your lawn to voles. Protect young trees and shrubs with tree guards or mesh, further safeguarding your landscape from vole damage.

Using Vole Repellents in Canada

You can use various vole-repellent to get rid of this little annoyance. Do not forget to select repellents according to your specific needs. Always consider weather conditions and environmental safety.

Repellent Type	Efficacy	Pros	Cons
Granular	High	Easy application, Weather-resistant	Requires regular reapplication
Spray	Moderate	Simple and quick to use	Less effective in rainy conditions
Electronic	Variable	Chemical-free, humane approach	Higher initial cost, Limited coverage

Edmonton’s Cold Winters: A Hidden Cause of Vole Problems

Though Edmonton’s weather is brutal, it is perfect for vole infestations. Heavy snowfall acts like a cozy blanket and shields voles from predators. o they can dig tunnels safely beneath.

But when snow buries their food supply, these hungry rodents swarm into neighbourhoods like Terwillegar, Windermere, and Clareview. They leave behind a trail of destruction. y spring, melted snow reveals its hidden havoc: chewed-up gardens, gnawed tree roots, and crisscrossing runways in your lawn.

Even worse? esperate voles target homes for warmth. Once inside, they’ll shred insulation, contaminate pantries, and multiply rapidly. Don’t wait for disaster—act now. Find and seal all the foundation gaps, Wrap vulnerable trees, and store pet food in airtight containers. 

When to Contact Professional Pest Control

If you fail to eliminate voles or the infestation worsens, it’s time to contact a professional service. You should consider contacting rodent exterminators if you notice persistent activity from them.

Why Choose Major Pest Control?

Major Pest Control is the number one pest control service in Edmonton. e specialize in removing pest issues, especially in Edmonton’s climate. We offer detailed inspections, customized treatment plans, and valuable guidance for preventing future infestations. s professional pest control, we guarantee long-lasting results and save you from ongoing frustration and property damage.

Professional Pest Control Cost for Rodents in Edmonton

It can vary. Costs for professional pest control in Edmonton are not always the same. Pricing depends on the infestation’s severity, property size, and necessary treatment methods. Call us for any enquiry regarding any pest problem in your property to ensure the pricing.

FAQ

Are Voles Dangerous or Harmful?

While voles aren’t directly harmful to humans, they impact your property badly. They actively destroy gardens, lawns, and young trees by feeding on roots and bark. Voles can contaminate food supplies and chew through electrical wiring if they enter your home during colder months.

Do moles bite humans?

Usually, moles rarely bite humans. They prefer to stay underground and try to avoid human contact. However, they may bite in self-defence if they feel threatened. Their bites are not venomous. You may feel just a minor irritation.

Are voles dangerous inside the house?

Voles rarely enter homes and prefer to stay in gardens and fields. However, they can chew on wires and wood and store food if they get inside. While they don’t pose a direct health risk like mice, their presence can still cause damage and should be addressed promptly.

How can I catch voles in my Edmonton house?

You can use live or snap traps near their active tunnels to catch voles. B bait the traps with peanut butter, seeds, or fruits to attract them. Check the vole traps frequently and leave them far from your property.

How can I prevent voles from entering my home?

To prevent moles from entering your house:

• Carefully seal entry points around your foundation, windows, and doors.
• Secure foods in sealed containers.
• Set traps inside your home if signs of infestation appear.

What is the difference between Vole and Mole Damage?

It’s not at all difficult to identify the difference between voles and moles damages. Here is a table for your quick concern.

Rodent	Tunnel Depth	Trail Visibility	Hole Size
Vole	Shallow	Highly Visible	Small (1-2 inches)
Mole	Deep	Rarely Visible	Large mounds

Wrap It Up

Edmonton winters are harsh. But voles love them. Snow hides them. It keeps them safe. When food runs out, they attack gardens. So act now! Use simple tricks. Bury fences deep. Block their tunnels. Seal your home’s cracks. Spring will come. Don’t wait—stop voles today. Check your yard often. Save your plants. If you’re experiencing pest problems in Edmonton, don’t hesitate to contact Major Pest Control for expert assistance and peace of mind.

For additional insights and resources on voles prevention, check out this detailed guide from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).