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Turfdoctor1

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a very large customer that has a major vole problem. I've never seen a vole, never killed a vole, never smelled a vole, you get the picture.

I do have a pest and rodent control license.

From what I have researched, it seems as though zinc phosphide baits are the best source of control. Would you agree with this?

The customer wants to spray to kill the grubs, thinking that getting rid of the grubs will help get rid of the voles. Agree or disagree? This is a 6 acre property by the way, which is not used to paying for grub control as it is not that common in our area.

Any advice would be appreciated.
 
#2 ·
I have no idea what 6 acres would cost to treat but getting rid of the grubs will get rid of the moles. I use to have major problems with moles until I got a coulple of cats, they pretty much took care of the mole problem. The cats will set out there and wait for the ground to move and once it does,it's all over for the mole! :laugh::waving:
 
#8 ·
Voles are usually a problem under deep snow. Most common if there are thick bushes or tall grass nearby so they can hide when snow is lacking. A bird feeder that spills seed on the ground will attract a lot of mice--maybe voles also. I would go with a bait that is safer than zinc phosphide--and use a bait station so that pets, kids and birds cannot get to the bait. Bait just before snow--for best results. Small sporting dogs love to chase thngs like this--rat terrier--dachshund maybe.
 
#9 ·
todd moran said:
forgot to add,grubs are moles main food source.
Click to expand...
Wrong wrong wrong wrong and wrong.

99% of a Moles diet is earthworms.

Grubs are a delicacy but to apply grub control to try to control underground rodents is not only ill conceived and unproductive, but it's not environmentally sound.

Imidicloprid is not affective against earthworms for a reason.....earthworms are a beneficial creature.
 
#10 ·
Moles eat earthworms & grubs, voles eat plant roots and can girdle a tree or plan by gnawing right at the surface. Voles breed to fas and prolifically that a vole population can never be eliminated but good control can be achieved with some rodenticides available from Bell Labs and others. Unfortunately voles are typically not listed on the packaging, but experience proves the effectiveness of some of these baits. Bromadiolone seems to be the most effective control for voles, inserted into single block or 2 block mouse bait stations scattered throughout the property where there is vole activity. On a 6 acre property, unless it is all managed turf, elimination of brush or habitat edges will be virtually impossible.

It is true, vole activity can be seen easily under melting snow, just above the ground, there are active, 24/7/365.

Kirk
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Dreams To Designs said:
Moles eat earthworms & grubs, voles eat plant roots and can girdle a tree or plan by gnawing right at the surface. Voles breed to fas and prolifically that a vole population can never be eliminated but good control can be achieved with some rodenticides available from Bell Labs and others. Unfortunately voles are typically not listed on the packaging, but experience proves the effectiveness of some of these baits. Bromadiolone seems to be the most effective control for voles, inserted into single block or 2 block mouse bait stations scattered throughout the property where there is vole activity. On a 6 acre property, unless it is all managed turf, elimination of brush or habitat edges will be virtually impossible.

It is true, vole activity can be seen easily under melting snow, just above the ground, there are active, 24/7/365.

Kirk
Click to expand...
Thank you for the very helpful replies guys!

From the research I've done, it is odd that they have a vole problem. This is highly managed turf area, with a small amount of landscaping that is also highly managed. We did have 10 inches of snow a couple of weeks ago, which is extremely uncommon for our area. Plus, the beds were remulched last weekend. Maybe that is the reason for the occurrence.

There is no brush or other ideal habitat. really strange to be having the problem.

I talked with my supplier about getting a product from bell laboratories. I'm just a little nervous about non-target pests. This is a very large area which is highly, highly visible.
 
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