Alright, Maine farmer and gardener friends-
Has anyone ever had an issue with voles in their gardens? Especially wondering if you grow in or near a forested area? We see them scurrying all around our land between brush piles and near gardens and we are having a serious munching problem. Never caught them in the act directly- but they seem the most prevelant pest! Even if their habits here are a little less than normal for voles. We are working on clearing the brush and mulch, but it's a work in progress! There are vole holes all about, though no real "runs" as you might see in a grassy area, as it's more of a forest/shrubby environment.
I understand from research that they typically would be going for roots and tubers instead of stems and vegetation, but our woodland voles appear to mainly be munching the base of transplants and small vegetable plants at the base of the stems- often disappearing with the entire plant, most often just leaving the bare stalk, and sometimes leaving everything behind- an intact stalk and leaves lying beside. The stalk left behind is often angled.
6 bean plants from one planting gone- 1 the first night overnight, 1 in first hour of the next morning, last two over an hour we were not at our camp later that afternoon - and they were planted directly next to building. A cucumber, 3 tomato seedlings, many basils, mint, lemon balm, bee balm, a kale, they seem to have moved into some of our perenials now and munched a bunch of tops off of our smallish onion plants. Again, some plants just disappear but many appear munched. Before this happened most attacks were at night, now it can be any time of day.. and we've been dealing with this for weeks, though the onions are a new development (I guess all the more delicious things have now been eaten!!)
We have no signs of deer or rabbits, such as dropping or any sightings, no squirrels, a couple chipmunks, birds, some mice, but many voles, because we see them.
I tried a dilute natural castor oil spray on everything, to no avail. More stalks munched the next morning.
We may be taking to stronger measures now to try and disrupt the population, but it's been a big frustration.
It's a secluded camp that we've been starting to farm and develop but we are only here 4 days a week. Don't feel like we can take on a cat here because of the winter months, bit we're sure that would help.
Any experience with this? Thoughts? Ideas?.. It would be much appreciated! Thank you! ~Kiera.
