In some areas their numbers are cyclic, reaching peak numbers every 3 to 6 years before dropping to low levels. Voles may breed any time of year, but the peak breeding period is spring. Voles are extremely prolific with females capable of breeding at 3 weeks of age, with five to ten litters per year. Litter size ranges from three to six. However, voles seldom live past 12 months of age.
Voles are mostly vegetarian, feeding on a variety of grasses, herbaceous plants, bulbs, and tubers.
They eat bark and roots of trees, usually in fall or winter. Voles store seeds and other plant matter in underground chambers. Voles are poor climbers and do not usually enter homes or other buildings. Instead, they inhabit wildlands or croplands adjacent to buildings, or gardens and landscaped sites with protective ground cover. Most problems around homes and gardens occur during times of large meadow mouse populations.