On apple trees, pine voles feed upon bark and cambium primarily below the soil line, and chew off small roots up to about pencil diameter. Commercial apple cultivars and rootstocks are very susceptible to vole feeding. A selection of Malus sublobata has been found to be quite resistant, however. Use of a dwarfing interstem is suggested for tree size control. It is important to determine if pine voles are present, because some of the management practices used for meadow vole are not effective against pine vole.
Trapping is time consuming, but it is the best way to identify which species are present.
Traps placed on the surface most likely will not capture pine voles. Find subsurface burrows by probing with your fingers 2 to 3 inches deep at the dripline, deeper near the trunk. Then, carefully excavate an area of sod or soil just large enough to allow a standard wood mouse trap to sit flush with the bottom of the underground runway. Place the trap lengthwise across the trail with the trip pan in the center. Use small chunks of apple, rolled oats, peanut butter, or a combination as bait.