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Vole, mice, and other small mammals can cause damage either by tunneling into beds or by feeding on plants, and occasionally fruit. Vole damage is common during winter and severely injures plants and reduces yields in plasticulture production systems. These small mammals can also damage irrigation lines and make holes in plastic mulch. Other small mammals, such as raccoons, rabbits, and squirrels, can also damage plants or consume fruit; however, they may be more of an issue for backyard gardeners than for commercial growers. 

Vole tunnels.

(Photo: Matthew Springer, University of Kentucky)

Vole tunnels.

(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)

Vole injury to plants.

(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)

Small mammal damage to fruit.

(Photo: Matthew Springer, University of Kentucky)

Management:

• Keep areas around beds, buildings, ditch banks, and nearby fields mowed closely to limit suitable habitat.
• If pests are already present, use snap traps baited with peanut butter or plunger style mole traps over active tunnels; trapping is difficult to do on large fields. 

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