How to deal with water voles in the garden
Water voles are among the most damaging garden pests because they gnaw through tree roots underground, and getting rid of them is difficult. Gardeners are advised to carefully use poisoned bait or rodent-specific poisoned grain.
In gardens that are lush and blooming through spring and summer, young trees can suddenly begin to wither. The culprit is often the water vole, one of the most troublesome garden pests.
Unlike hares, mice or roe deer, which gnaw tree bark but usually leave the roots intact, the water vole works underground and cuts through the roots themselves. Once the damage is severe enough, the tree can no longer be saved. This rodent builds an extensive network of underground tunnels and stores food for winter, and a single female can produce several litters in one summer, allowing populations to grow quickly.
Water voles frequently settle in private gardens as well. As a result, a decorative tree that was blooming just days earlier can die within a short time, or an apple tree that has stood for decades can suddenly start to decline. Young fruit trees, whose root systems have not yet fully established, are especially at risk.
What can be done
Experts note that getting rid of water voles is not easy. One commonly recommended method is placing poisoned bait deep inside the underground tunnels, out of reach of birds and pets. However, this approach does not always work as intended — many gardeners have observed that the voles simply push the bait aside without touching it.
Poisoned grain intended for rodents sometimes produces better results, but it too must be applied repeatedly and with caution, since a single treatment rarely provides lasting control.
