The runways consist of closely clipped vegetation, about one to two inches wide. Surface runway system of the prairie vole. Vole damage to woody plants usually occurs during late fall through early spring. During these months green vegetation is scarce, so voles feed on woody plants, which they prefer less. Voles tunnel through snow, and may gnaw on trees and shrubs up to the height that snow accumulates during winter.
Rabbits leave tooth marks that are larger, about one-eighth inch wide.
The gnawing marks left by voles will be irregular in appearance and at various angles. Pine voles, and occasionally meadow and prairie voles, tunnel below ground and feed on roots of trees and shrubs. Vole toothmarks are about one-sixteenth inch wide. Voles occasionally will use tunnels developed by moles to gain access to flower bulbs and other plant roots. This damage often is blamed on moles by mistake.