Best vole repellents to protect your lawn and garden

Many homeowners will wake up one day to discover their lawn or garden covered by small tunnels or plants nibbled off near the ground. This type of damage is often caused by voles, small rodents that burrow and eat root systems, grass and bark. They seem harmless at first, but voles can cause plenty of damage in a short time.

Preventing voles is key to yard aesthetics, plant well-being and garden equilibrium. If not kept in check, voles reproduce rapidly and can destroy all of the effort put into a lawn or garden.

Growcycle has a selection of vole repellent products to help protect lawns and gardens from vole damage. These are natural, ready-to-use sprays and granules that provide unpleasant taste and odor in the voles environment and will deter them from foraging. 

Voles and Their Impact

Voles are small, mouse-like rodents with short tails, round bodies and small eyes. They’re typically brown or gray with fuzzy fur and measure about 4 to 8 inches long. Voles are herbivores, unlike moles, which primarily dine on insects. They love roots, grass, seeds and bulbs. Voles are active year-around, spending the majority of their lives under the grass or snow.

There are many different kinds of voles, but the ones that are found in North America and Europe are the meadow voles, pine voles, and bank voles. These species frequently inhabit gardens, fields, and wooded edges. Voles have a short lifespan, approximately 3 to 6 months, but they reproduce rapidly and the problem can grow swiftly.

How Voles Damage Lawns and Gardens

Voles also make small surface tunnels that crisscross lawns and gardens. These burrows can harm grass and leave the soil open. While digging, voles chew on plant roots, weakening or killing the plants.

The havoc wreaked by their activity on flower beds, vegetable gardens and young trees can be devastating. At times, their tunnels can disrupt irrigation systems or even underground cables. Their burrowing and chewing can wreak havoc on landscaping over time.

Signs of a Vole Infestation

Here’s how to know if there are  voles in the yard:

• On the surface of the lawn, narrow shallow runways
• Chewed grass close to the ground
• Small holes about 1–2 inches wide; these are the entrances to vole burrows
• Plants that have suddenly wilted or toppled over after root damage

Natural Vole Repellents

Vole repellents are natural and excellent for those who prefer to keep their garden free of harmful chemical treatments. They’re safe for the environment and won’t harm beneficial insects, birds or soil health. They’re also well suited to families with kids or pets, since they aren’t toxic and less harsh than many chemical solutions.

1. Castor Oil-Based Repellents

Voles are most commonly repelled by castor oils, which are one of the most effective natural ingredients available. It doesn’t harm the voles, but it makes the soil smell and taste terrible to them. This propels them to relocate elsewhere.

Combine 1/4 cup castor oil with 1 tbsp. dish soap and 1 gallon water. Combine and spray the mixture on areas of exposure.

2. Garlic and Pepper Sprays

Voles have very sensitive noses and do not like strong smells, such as garlic and pepper. Make sprays with these ingredients to keep them at bay.

• Blend 1 head of garlic and 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper with 1 quart of water.
• Let the mix sit for 24 hours.
• Strain and transfer to a spray bottle.
• Spray around the edges of the garden, around tunnels, or in areas where damage is present.
• Reapply every few days or after rainfall 

3. Essential Oils and Their Efficacy

Certain potent essential oils (including peppermint, spearmint and eucalyptus) may also serve as effective vole repellents. These oils suffocate their sense of smell and make them avoid treated areas.

• Combine 10–15 drops of essential oil and 1 cup of water with a few drops of dish soap.
• Shake and spray on garden beds or within vole runways.
• Some soak cotton balls in rubbing oil and set them around burrows or plants.

Chemical Vole Repellents

Chemical vole repellents have been long in use. They were simple pest control sprays but they have evolved. Today's chemical repellents are more targeted and often safer for humans, pets and planet. These repellents seek to make the vole's environment offensive so that they depart unharmed.

How Chemical Repellents Work

Most commercial vole repellents are made from foul-smelling or foul-tasting ingredients. One widely used active ingredient is capsaicin, the spicy substance in hot peppers. It makes voles avoid the area when they smell or taste it. Other components might include putrescent egg solids, garlic oil, or rotten-smelling chemicals all intended to repel voles by irritating their senses.

When used properly, these substances do not kill the voles, but drive them to go elsewhere, making them useful for long-term management.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

When using chemical repellents, safety must be a priority. Here are a few tips:

• Be sure to read the label carefully before usage.
• Use gloves and a mask if instructed by the manufacturer.
• Don't spray on windy days to prevent drift.
• Avoid letting pets and children come into contact with newly treated areas until dry.
• Store chemicals out of kids’ reach in a cool, dry place.

Excess use of some chemical repellents can have an impact on surrounding soil or water. To reduce risk:

• Do not overapply.
• Do not insert in places adjacent to open water such as ponds or creeks.
• Use spot treatments rather than blanket coverage.
• They may be labeled as biodegradable or non-biodegradable.

TOP 5 Vole Repellent Products

This list includes the best 5 vole repellent products that are simple to use, working in various ways, sprays, granules or the safe bait to protect the lawns and gardens.

1. IMG 32oz Mole & Vole Repellent Ready to Spray

These are ready-to-mix repellent sprays with a hose-end sprayer for easy application. It renders the food sources and environment of the treated area fluctuated and unpleasant for burrowing pests like voles. With all-natural ingredients, it is safe for people, pets and the environment.

• Just hook it up to a hose and spray the area directly.
• The proper application treats 10,000 square feet.
• Non-toxic and safe for kids and pets.

Great for large lawns, flower beds, and garden areas, this spray is formulated as part of an integrated pest management approach, allowing it to be paired with additional methods for long-lasting protection.

2. IMG 4# Mole & Vole Granular Shaker Jar

This granular repellent is made from natural ingredients that deter voles by changing the taste and smell of their environment. It is offered as a shaker jar for easy application parameters, it also allows more precise sprinkling on smaller areas or more targeted spots.

• Provides controlled, even coverage, useful near garden beds or plant roots.
• It discourages voles from making themselves at home without using toxic chemicals.
• Use it as a barrier treatment around plants or veggie patches.

3. Bonide 10# Mole Max Case Pack Mole & Vole Repellent Granules 4/CS

Bonide Mole Max is a proven-effective treatment for burrowing pests such as voles, moles, and gophers. These granules, sold in a case pack of 12 units, provide up to 3 months of continuous protection.

• The long-term control for up to three months per application makes it cost-effective.
• It repels voles and other pests, including moles, gophers, rabbits, skunks and armadillos.
• It employs all-natural, castor oil–based ingredients that are safe for lawns, gardens and flower beds.

It’s most effective when applied with a broadcast spreader to help with distribution and watered afterward to settle the granules into the soil where pests are active.

4. EcoClear 8oz VoleX Bait Pellets with Shelf Tray

For an eco-gentle solution, EcoClear’s VoleX bait pellets are a naturally derived alternative for controlling vole populations. Unlike repellents, this product kills voles through baiting.

• This is made of naturally derived, completely biodegradable, and not environmentally polluting.
• The formulation is targeted to voles and is safe for use around other animals.
• Included with it is a shelf tray that makes placement and monitoring even easier. Perfect for both home lawns, as well as larger garden spaces.

5. Bobbex-R 32oz Animal Repellent Concentrate 03

Bobbex-R is a one-of-a-kind, concentrate-based foliar spray repellant. It is not only for voles, but against many common garden pests as well including rabbits, groundhogs, squirrels, and chipmunks. Its improved aroma and flavor repel insects when applied directly to plants and ornamentals.

• It can be used on a range of critters, so it is good for different pest problems.
• Since it's a concentrate, it is more economical to dilute and pragmatic to apply over time.
• The spray, though, is made to resist washing away in the rain to offer longer-lasting protection to outdoor plants.
• Using natural and recycled components that reduce environmental impact.

It is best used as a foliage spray on ornamentals and other susceptible plants as a part of a regular maintenance program.

How to Apply and Maintain Vole Repellents Effectively

It is important to clean the area before applying any vole repellent. Clear away tall grass, leaf piles, fallen fruits and other garden debris. This exposes vole activity such as runways and burrows, which helps the repellent do its job better. Also, cutting plants back and tilling the soil makes the repellent more effective.

For Natural Repellents

Castor oil or garlic mixtures and other sprays need to be applied on the soil, around plants and near burrow openings. Make sure to shake the bottle and spray it evenly. For oil, dilute in the proper way with water and use as directed.

For Chemical Repellents

Use a handheld or push spreader to evenly distribute granules over the lawn and garden. If not already in spray form, connect the bottle to a hose, if necessary, for ready-to-use sprays, then spray the entire area as instructed. Wear gloves and wash hands afterwards.

When and How Often to Apply

• Vole repellents are most effective in the Spring and Fall when voles are most active.
• Reapply repellents after heavy rain or snow or every 3–4 weeks to maintain a strong scent.
• For bait-style products, monitor and replenish until vole activity ceases.

Watching and Changing the Plan

Monitor for signs of vole activity, such as fresh burrow holes or new plant damage, after applying the repellent. If the voles keep returning, try a different type of repellent or combine two methods (such as spray and granules). Applying elsewhere and differently can also help make the remedy more efficacious.

Preventative Measures and Long-Term Solutions

Repelling voles isn’t a one-time engagement with repellents; it’s an ongoing investment in diligence and smart garden planning. With a little effort once a month, homeowners can make their yard uninviting to voles and halt their return.

Keep Checking and Maintaining the Yard

Regularly check the lawn and garden to prevent voles from reentering. Search once weekly for fresh burrows or damaged plants. Mow the lawn frequently, rake up the fallen leaves, and clear away any lumber or garden debris piles that may serve as hiding places for voles.

Smart Landscaping to Make Voles Stay Away

• Use open spaces between flower beds when making the garden, don’t plant too many low-growing plants in the same area and surround planting zones with barriers or rocks. These measures make the garden a less comfortable place for voles to dwell.
• Voles like loose, moist soil. Firm soil and less watering can help. Ensure that there’s good drainage and don’t leave the ground too wet. And no thick layers of mulch close to plant roots as voles like to lurk under those.

Let Nature Help Out

Voles are eaten by natural enemies such as owls, hawks, snakes and foxes. Homeowners can also create yard environments appealing to these predators. For example, this can include installing owl nesting boxes or leaving tall perches for birds of prey. These animals can exert natural control over vole numbers in the long term.

A Simple Plan for the Whole Year

To repel voles long term, use a seasonal cycle:

• Spring: Brush on repellents, inspect for winter damage and start cleaning out garden debris.
• Summer: Mow grass, trim bushes and trees, inspect garden weekly.
• Fall: Reapply repellents, remove fallen fruits and leaves, and cover plants for winter.
• Winter: Look for tunnel signs in snow and put out repellents early, as needed.

FAQs

What is the most effective vole repellent?

The best vole repellents will be castor oil-based or contain strong-smelling ingredients like peppermint or garlic. Some people have great success with capsicum-containing commercial granules. A combination of natural and chemical methods often provides the best solution.

What scent will keep voles away?

Voles are repelled by strong odors, including peppermint, garlic, castor oil and hot pepper. Sprays or oils that have these odors will help keep them away from plants and areas in the garden.

How to get rid of voles in a lawn?

To remove voles, begin by cleaning up the lawn, cutting long grass, picking piles of leaves, and patching burrows. Spray or sprinkle repellents across the space. Continuously monitor for signs of activity and reapply the repellent every few weeks.

The Bottom Line

Voles are smaller than a mouse but can wreak havoc on lawns and garden. They chew on vegetation and create a mess of tunnels, which can destroy weeks or even months of labour. But applying appropriate repellent products, and maintaining the yard can help deter them from entering the home. Growcycle provides a range of vole repellents, which are particularly effective in protecting the outdoor spaces. Any yard can remain clean, healthy and vole-free all year long with smart landscaping, regular checks and proper use of these products.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.