A vole infestation in the house is rare, since voles live outdoors, and it usually means they followed a food source inside. Voles look like mice but have a shorter tail, and the fix targets how they got in. Here is what to do.
- Voles rarely live indoors, so an indoor infestation is unusual.
- They likely entered through a foundation gap.
- Trap them and seal the gap.
- Voles damage plants outdoors more than homes.
Confirm It Is Voles
Voles look like stocky mice with a short tail and small ears, and they are active day and night. Indoors, they are usually near the foundation, garage, or basement, not spread through the whole house.
Find How They Got In
Check the foundation, sill plate, garage door, and pipe entries for gaps. Voles squeeze through small openings, and sealing them is the fix.
Trap Them
Mouse-sized snap traps baited with peanut butter or apple, placed along walls and near the entry point, work. Voles follow the same routes, so trap where they travel.
Seal the Gap
Seal the foundation gap, garage door seal, or pipe entry with mesh, caulk, or a door sweep. Sealing is what ends the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trap them along walls and near the entry point, then seal the foundation gap they used. Voles rarely live indoors.
Rarely. Voles live outdoors and usually enter a house by accident through a foundation gap, following a food source.
Voles are stockier with a short tail and small ears, while mice have a long tail and larger ears. The control methods are similar indoors.
Through gaps in the foundation, sill plate, garage door, and pipe entries. Sealing those gaps keeps them out.
