What are they?
Voles or meadow mice are about 4 to 6 inches long and brownish grey in color
Damage is frequently mistaken as mole damage, however moles are not active during winter and actually tunnel below the soil surface
What do they do?
Voles make runways under snow in lawns as they feed on grass blades and roots
Damage appears as runways or winding trails of damaged grass
What should we do?
Usually no action is required as lawns fill in as conditions warm up in spring
Severe damage may require some over seeding and fertilizing
Help prevent damage by continuing to mow turf in fall until growth stops. The last mowing in the fall should be at about a 2 inch height. Also, clean up any excessive vegetation next to turf as this provides cover for voles