Fact sheet
Each year, rodents such as voles (mice) cause damage to trees and landscape plants. This year in particular, due to the heavy snowfall over a long period of time, damage may be more serious than normal.
Damage usually appears as girdling of the trunk and roots. The most obvious damage is the stripping of bark at the base of plants. It’s very difficult to predict whether the affected plants will survive vole damage. If the plant material is in healthy condition and the severity of the damage is minimal, most plants will survive. However, severe girdling all around the stem usually kills plants.
The meadow vole is the most common mouse in Ontario. The adult meadow vole is about 15 to 20 cm long, with a compact stocky body, dark chestnut brown fur with a grey belly. The tail is long and the ears are furred.
Meadow voles are herbivores, usually feeding on leaves, grass seeds, herbs and bulbs in the spring and summer, turning their attentions to eating bark in the fall and winter. They make shallow runways through turf areas.
The most effective method of managing voles is through the use of cultural practices and rodenticides. Cultural practices include removing habitat around landscape material, keeping turf short and removing any mulch from around the base of trees (at least 1 m circle around trees).
Installing tree guards around the trunks of trees offers good protection and should be buried at least 5 cm deep. Tree guards can be obtained at local nurseries and garden centres.
There is no known cure for damaged material. Trees have their own defense mechanism and will attempt to close or seal wounds by growing new growth layers over the damaged area(s). Therefore, arborists recommend maintaining the health of the plants by watering and fertilizing. Application of paint products or tar is not recommended as these products contain toxins that can further harm the plant material.
Should you have any question on rodent control, please contact a local consulting arborist.
Fact sheet courtesy of the Municipal Arborists and Urban Foresters Group (MAUF), c/o 7856 Fifth Line S., RR 4, Milton, ON L9T 2X8.
