Atwood LawnCare

Q: What causes the trails that appears in the spring through-out my lawn?

When the snow melts, it is no tuncommon to see what appears to be a series of trails that have been dug into your lawn. What causes these trails and what to do about them? We offer thanks to Greg Patchan, MSUE Oakland County Horticultural Agent, Retired for the floowing inforamtion.

While moles are still the most common nuisance critter in the landscape, there has been a large increase in the damage from meadow mice or voles. In fact, people are confusing vole damage with mole damage. This could be a costly mistake in some situations.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE VOLES?
They are three different species of "Microtus," which include the meadow vole, pine vole, and prairie vole. All three species look like a dark-colored mouse with a short tail. Normally, they are quite shy and are seldom seen. In east Michigan, the meadow vole is the most common, so I'll discuss this critter. Pine voles, found in west Michigan, have underground nests and sub- surface tunnels.

WHY THE INCREASE IN DAMAGE?
First, snow piles and snow-covered shrubs provide an ideal hiding and feed area for the voles. Second, with the rapid pace of development, many fields are being converted into malls and subdivisions. The voles and other wildlife flee before the path of the bulldozers. While the raccoons and woodchucks may end up as road kill, the voles can find suitable habitat in adjacent housing areas. Ground covers, small natural areas and similar non-lawn areas provide an excellent relocation area. Clients have reported seeing the voles feeding during daylight and in the open. This is not normal behavior.

WHERE TO LOOK FOR DAMAGE
Under the protection of snow, the voles feed on the crowns of turfgrass. When the snow melts, you can see trails (not tunnels) that look much like you left a garden hose lying on the lawn. If there is a high population of voles, larger irregular areas may be damaged. Usually, loose grass that looks much like grass clippings, covers the damaged area. These damaged areas are usually located near protected hiding areas, such as ground cover and shrub beds. Unfortunately, the voles can also feed on the trunks and branches of plants.
Crabapples and junipers are favorite hosts. This feeding can causing girdling of the stem, which will result in the death of the plant portion beyond the girdle. On lower growing junipers, individual branches may be killed while the main trunk is not damaged. Girdled plants or branches usually die by late summer; however, some plants may die slowly over several years.

WHAT ARE THE PREVENTATIVE AND REPAIR OPTIONS?
Repairing vole damage can take several approaches. Trails in the lawn will recover with normal growth. Larger damaged areas should be renovated and re-seeded. Girdled twigs should be removed by selective branch pruning, which is the best technique for pruning most junipers. Plants damaged with complete trunk girdling will need to be replaced. By the time the damaged from voles is noticed, it is too late for prevention. Since most of the damage in landscapes takes place during the winter, damage prevention techniques should be implemented in the fall. If damage to trees and shrubs is anticipated, fall applied rodent repellants can be helpful. Barriers to prevent trunk feeding can also be used. However, remember to push the barriers into the soil because the voles can feed at or slightly below the soil level. While orchardists and nursery growers can use poison baits to reduce vole populations, I feel uncomfortable with recommending baits in the landscape. Even a slight or perceived risk to "non- target" species can be unacceptable. Note, if bait must be used, be sure to use protected bait feeding stations. Finally, when you see a hawk perched on pole, he or she is inspecting the grassy areas below for a vole meal. A cat on the prowl can also reduce vole populations.

Thanks to Dr. Glenn Dudderar, (MSU, retired) for portions of this information