Their extensive tunnel systems cause root destruction and interfere with crop irrigation, as well. In late summer and fall, voles store seeds, tubers, bulbs and rhizomes in their tunnels. Life History Voles are active day and night the entire year. They construct a complex tunnel system with surface runways and numerous burrow entrances. A single tunnel system may contain several adults and young.
Voles have short life spans, ranging from two to sixteen months.
Breeding occurs primarily in spring and summer, producing from one to five litters of three to six young per year. Females mature in 35 to 40 days. This reduces they availability of food and cover for voles, and the capacity of these areas to support them. Permanent sod strips between blueberry or raspberry rows must be mowed regularly. The wider the buffer strip, the less likely voles will cross it to the cropping area.