Meadow Voles in Central Arkansas
Also known as the “meadow mouse” or “field mouse,” the meadow vole stands as the most prevalent vole species across North America. Differing from rats and mice, voles feature shorter tails and stout, cylindrical bodies. Due to their limited climbing abilities, voles rarely venture into residential or building interiors. Meadow voles sustain themselves primarily on plant matter, with a preference for grasses and seeds, and exhibit prolific breeding habits. Their propensity for constructing elaborate runway and tunnel networks contributes to significant damage to turf and landscape vegetation.
Meadow Vole Habitat
Although meadow voles spend considerable time above ground, they spend most of their time below ground in their burrow system. Meadow voles dig short, shallow burrows and make underground nests of grass, stems, and leaves. A protective layer of grass or other ground cover often hides their runways. You can locate the runways by pulling back the overhanging ground cover. Fresh grass clippings and greenish-colored droppings in the runways and near the burrows are further evidence of voles.
Meadow Vole Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
While meadow voles exhibit considerable activity above ground, their true domain lies beneath the surface within their extensive burrow network. Employing their burrowing skills, these rodents carve out short, shallow tunnels and construct subterranean nests using grass, stems, and leaves. Concealed beneath a covering of grass or other ground vegetation, their runways can be detected by exposing the overhanging vegetation. Additional signs of vole presence include freshly clipped green grass and small, greenish droppings, scattered throughout the runways and surrounding areas of the burrows. If you suspect a meadow vole issue, contact your local rodent exterminators.
