Our miniature landscape has been devastated by voles. They are eating the roots under the RR and even our invasive ajuga isn't coming up this spring. Any suggestions for convincing these creatures to live elsewhere would be appreciated. Would prefer non-poisonous solutions as we have a toddler.Thanks, Mark & Beth "Delay & Hesitation RR"

Thanks to everyone who made comments. The best info we found was in the University of California website: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7439.html

• University of California

Sam is right. You just can't beat a good hunting cat. I have one who is declawed that kills voles, gophers, rabbits, and mice.

Jay

I have killer gophers and moles and have found that what I have to do is carefully remove my plants and dig out about 6" of topsoil, lay in 1/2" galvanized screen being sure to tuck it up to ground level at the ends, and replacing the soil/plants. A royal pain in the butt and I recommend tat anyone putting in a GR in any area with similar varmits do this before laying track and planting.

Hi Matk & Beth

If you merely want the voles to relocate rather than indulge in mass extermination get a cat. After one or two voles fall prey to the feline the others will quit, and the smell of cat will probably keep them away.

Of course there are problems with cats, but we have four and wouldn't have it any other way.

Sam in UK

Mark, I had good luck with this several years ago getting rid of gophers.Sharpen the end of a 1/2" or 3/4" dowel. Go around your yard poking the sharpened end into the ground until it slides in real easy, you've found a tunnel! open the hole over the tunnel to about 4" slide a baited trap down the hole and anchor it's chain securely outside the hole. Cover the hole with a scrap piece of plywood and weight it down with a brick. Sooner or later a gopher will travel down this tunnel and get caught. Check the trap every other day and repeat until all the critters are gone ( caught) I caught 5 gophers in less than 2 weeks using this method, it really works!

Think Trains............Rich