Voles are small, stocky rodents that tunnel through lawns and gardens, leaving surface runways and gnawing plant roots and bark. Common in Whidbey and Skagit yards, they damage landscaping and can undermine turf near foundations.
How to identify voles
Compact, 4 to 6 inches, with small ears, short legs, and a short tail — chunkier and shorter-tailed than a mouse. Often confused with moles, which they are not.
Behavior & season on Whidbey & Fidalgo
They are active day and night year-round, creating shallow surface runways through grass and mulch. Populations surge in wet seasons and under winter snow or heavy ground cover.
Why voles are a problem
Voles girdle young trees and shrubs, damage root systems, and leave unsightly runways across lawns. Their tunneling near foundations can also open paths for other pests.
Signs of voles activity
- Narrow surface runways worn through the grass
- Gnawed bark at the base of shrubs and young trees
- Small burrow openings in the lawn or garden beds
- Damage worst after wet weather or heavy mulch
How Salty Dog treats voles
We assess runways and harborage, reduce ground cover feeding them, and treat active areas to protect landscaping and turf. Learn more about our Rodent Control service, or browse the full Pest Library.
Reviewed by Matthew — Salty Dog Pest Control. WSDA-licensed structural pest applicator (License #101709). Veteran- and family-owned, serving Whidbey Island, Fidalgo Island, and west Skagit County.
Frequently asked questions
Are these voles or moles?
Voles make surface runways and eat plants; moles push up soil ridges and eat insects. The damage pattern tells them apart.
Why are my shrubs dying?
Voles girdle bark at the base of shrubs and young trees, cutting off the plant — a common cause of sudden landscape loss.
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