When food and cover are nearby during the growing season, extensive damage still may occur to trees and shrubs where snow accumulates because snow acts as protective cover. Strategies other than habitat modification may be needed where high vole populations exist in the fall near woody plantings. Exclusion Exclusion is a practical method of protecting highly valued flower beds, gardens and trees from vole damage. The fence should be about 12 inches high and the bottom should be tight to the ground or buried slightly. Where pine voles are a problem, the fence should extend about six inches below ground.
Fences also help keep out other wildlife that cause damage, such as rabbits and ground squirrels.
A cylinder of hardware cloth or other wire mesh to protect trees from vole damage. Again, the cylinder should be tight to the ground or buried slightly, but should extend higher than the maximum snow depth in winter, including drifts. Where rabbits also are a potential problem, the height should be at least two feet above the snow depth, if possible. When making the cylinder, overlap the edges at least one inch and fasten securely so gaps do not form that could admit voles. These cylinders should last about five years, so make them large enough in diameter to accommodate expected trunk growth if they remain in place during the growing season.