Meadow vole

Meadow voles are small rodents with short tails, typically 5-7 inches long including the tail. They have a stocky build, small eyes, and their fur is typically dark brown to grayish-brown, often with a slightly paler underside. Their ears are partially hidden in their fur.

Signs of vole activity include runways or trails of clipped grass, shallow burrows, and small, cylindrical droppings. You might also observe gnaw marks on the lower portions of plants in your Myrtle Beach garden or lawn. Damage to roots and bulbs of ornamental plants can also indicate vole presence.

MBPC can provide trapping and habitat modification recommendations for vole control in accordance with SC Department of Pesticide Regulation guidelines. Exclusion methods, such as fencing, are often the most effective long-term solutions for properties along the Grand Strand. Our technicians can assess your property and advise on the best course of action.

Keep your lawn mowed short and remove dense ground cover, such as ivy, to reduce vole habitat. Clear away leaf litter and debris around your foundation and garden beds, as these provide shelter. Consider installing hardware cloth fencing around vulnerable plants in your Myrtle Beach garden.

Meadow voles prefer grassy habitats, including lawns, meadows, and fields, which are common in coastal South Carolina. They thrive in areas with dense vegetation and moist soil, often found near marshes and waterways in the Myrtle Beach area. They create shallow underground burrows and surface runways.

Peak activity: Year-Round