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Voles—also known as meadow mice—are small rodents that tunnel underground and can wreak havoc in yards and gardens if left unchecked. These little creatures can produce 100 offspring a year, so it’s important to get a vole situation under control before generations of fluffy critters decide to make a yard their new home.
Shopping for vole repellents online, however, can quickly become overwhelming because so many options are available at a wide range of prices. This article breaks down what to look for when shopping for the best vole repellents and discusses the key considerations to keep in mind while shopping. Keep reading for tips on choosing the best option, and explore our curated picks for some of the best vole repellents.
- BEST OVERALL: Natural Elements Mole and Vole Repellent
- RUNNER-UP: I Must Garden Mole & Vole Repellent
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Natural Armor All-Natural Rodent Shield
- BEST GRANULES: Bonide MoleMax Mole & Vole Repellent Granules
- BEST ULTRASONIC: Ellassay Ultrasonic Mole Repellent
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Vole Repellent
Although it’s easy to assume that all vole repellents offer similar performance, a number of factors affect their functionality. Features such as intended use, safety, and the product’s coverage area can make one better than another for a specific situation. Keep reading to learn about these important features to consider when choosing a good vole deterrent.
Type
A number of factors go into determining the most effective vole repellent for a particular situation. Several styles of vole deterrents are available, each of which has advantages. However, some types work better in some cases than others.
- Granular repellents are designed to be sprinkled outdoors in areas that are being infested by voles. They must be watered in after being applied.
- Liquid repellents work similarly to granular repellents, though some can be used both indoors and outdoors They may be sold in a spray bottle, making the application process simple and easy.
- Ultrasonic vole repellents emit low-frequency vibrations that are unpleasant for voles but are undetectable to human ears. They typically feature heat or motion sensors and are activated when animals enter the vicinity. They may not be ideal for pet owners because they will also deter cats and dogs. They don’t, however, emit any potentially harmful chemicals, so they don’t have a negative impact on the environment.
Effectiveness
Many vole deterrents make impressive claims but don’t actually offer effective performance. For that reason, we relied heavily on consumer reviews in making our recommended picks to ensure that each product was effective.
Safety
For households with pets and young children, it’s important to avoid animal repellents that could cause harm to either people or animals. Such households should be particularly wary of opting for a pest repellent that contains toxic ingredients. The vole repellents we recommend are humane and nontoxic, keeping voles at bay without causing them harm. They are also safe to use around pets and children.
Coverage
When choosing a vole repellent, it’s important to consider its coverage area, which is typically listed in the product’s description. Some ultrasonic repellents are able to cover areas of up to 7,000 square feet; other repellents have varying coverage areas. Choose a product based on the size of the area that the voles are affecting.
Versatility
Voles can invade various parts of a home or garden, so it’s important to choose a product that’s versatile if your issue is not localized. Some products work only in garden beds, while others are more widely applicable.
When choosing a vole repellent, consumers may be looking for a product that deters other types of animals as well. Many vole repellents are also effective at repelling moles, mice, rats, and other rodents. Some all-purpose animal repellents may also keep other wildlife such as deer, foxes, raccoons, and skunks at bay. Keep versatility in mind to get the best value if a yard or garden is plagued by a variety of pests.
Our Top Picks
Now that you’ve learned more about vole repellents, it’s time to start shopping. The following are the top picks for the best vole repellents for your home.
Best Overall
Natural Elements Mole and Vole Repellent
Pros
- Features a high coverage area
- Made from natural and nontoxic ingredients
- Affordable price
Cons
- Not effective for animals other than moles and voles
This product is made of 100 percent castor oil, which is nontoxic and free of potentially harmful chemicals but acts as an effective deterrent for voles. It works by contaminating the voles’ primary food source of grubs and worms, forcing them to find food elsewhere and vacate the property. It’s designed for deterring both moles and voles but won’t affect companion pets or other wildlife.
The product won’t be affected by rain and can remain effective for up to 90 days, meaning users don’t need to reapply it frequently. The product is available in 1-gallon bottles, each of which offers an impressive coverage area of 20,000 square feet.
Product Specs
- Type: Liquid
- Coverage: 20,000 square feet
- Quantity: 1 gallon
Get the Natural Elements vole repellent on Amazon.
Runner-Up
I Must Garden Mole & Vole Repellent
Pros
- Effective for a variety of animals
- Works in all weather conditions
- Made of natural ingredients
- Safe for grass
Cons
- Not effective for squirrels
The I Must Garden Mole & Vole Repellent uses a combination of castor oil and other natural ingredients to deter moles, voles, armadillos, skunks, chipmunks, and gophers. Not only is it safe for pets and people, but it also won’t cause any damage to grass, even if it is newly sodded.
One of the biggest perks of this type of product is that it can be used year-round—even in heavy snow—which comes in handy because voles and moles are both active in the winter. To use, simply apply the granules to the affected area and water them into the soil. The 10-pound bag covers an initial application on 5,000 square feet of land. It should be reapplied every 30 to 90 days as needed.
Product Specs
- Type: Granules
- Coverage: up to 10,000 square feet
- Quantity: 10 pounds
Get the I Must Garden vole repellent on Amazon.
Best Bang For The Buck
Natural Armor All-Natural Rodent Shield
Pros
- Affordable price
- Effective for all types of mice, rats, and rodents
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors
Cons
- Covers less area than other products
The Natural Armor All-Natural Rodent Shield is an all-purpose rodent repellent that can be safely used both indoors and outdoors. Although voles don’t often invade homes, the product can also be used to repel mice and rats that take up residence. It won’t stain surfaces, so it can be used almost anywhere in the home. It’s made with peppermint essential oil, which acts as a natural and nontoxic deterrent for these little creatures.
To use, transfer the liquid to a spray bottle and shake liberally. Then apply the spray to any area that is being affected by rodents either indoors or outdoors.
Product Specs
- Type: Liquid
- Coverage: 4,000 square feet
- Quantity: 1 gallon
Get the Natural Armor vole repellent on Amazon.
Best Granules
Bonide MoleMax Mole & Vole Repellent Granules
Pros
- Lasts up to 3 months
- Effective on most types of burrowing animals
- All-natural formula
Cons
- May be less effective on gophers
Granular vole repellents are effective and easy to use, requiring users to simply sprinkle the product in their garden beds or any other affected areas. Along with moles and voles, these granules from Bonide also deter rabbits, armadillos, gophers, and other burrowing animals.
The product is all-natural—with castor oil as a key ingredient—and can safely be used on grass, ornamental flowers, bulbs, and seeds without causing any damage. A single application lasts up to 90 days so users don’t need to reapply the product frequently. The manufacturer recommends using a broadcast spreader for the best results and suggests watering the area after applying the granules.
Product Specs
- Type: Granules
- Coverage: 5,000 square feet
- Quantity: 10 pounds
Get the Bonide MoleMax vole repellent on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Best Ultrasonic
Ellassay Ultrasonic Mole Repellent
Pros
- Safe to use around pets and children
- Solar-powered
- Large coverage area
Cons
- Must be cleaned regularly
This ultrasonic device from Ellassay emits a 3- to 4-second low-frequency pulse every 20 seconds, which acts as a deterrent to moles, voles, groundhogs, and even snakes. Each stake features a small solar panel, so there’s no need to connect the devices to an electrical outlet. Four hours of sunlight will sufficiently charge each device enough to work for four days. To ensure the panels can take in sunlight properly, it’s important to wipe them clean at regular intervals.
This set comes with four stakes, with each covering an area of 7,000 square feet. The stakes should be placed at 70-foot intervals for the most effective performance.
Product Specs
- Type: Ultrasonic
- Coverage: 7,000 square feet per stake
- Quantity: 4 stakes
Get the Ellassay Ultrasonic vole repellent on Amazon.
Our Verdict
After reviewing this guide, you now know more about effective vole repellents and how they work. We recommend Natural Elements Mole and Vole Repellent because it’s effective, humane, and nontoxic. For those who are looking for a repellent that can be safely used both indoors and out, the Natural Armor All-Natural Rodent Shield is a multipurpose product that can handle a variety of rodents.
How We Chose the Best Vole Repellents
Years of experience covering home goods and gardening supplies as well as extensive product research went into creating this guide. We explored more than 35 vole deterrent options and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations.
- Type: There are several different types of vole repellents on the market, and we aimed to include options of each variety to appeal to the widest array of shoppers.
- Reviews: Many vole deterrents make impressive claims but don’t actually hold up to user testing, so we included only well-reviewed products on this list.
- Safety: When choosing a vole repellent, opt for a product that’s humane and won’t cause harm to pets or neighborhood animals. We chose only humane and nontoxic repellents for this guide.
FAQs
Though you now know more about vole repellents, you may still have questions about how to use them. The following are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about how to select and use vole repellents on your property.
Q. What is the fastest way to get rid of voles?
Although there is no humane and fast-acting method to get rid of voles, the first step should be to create an environment that’s inhospitable to them. Voles thrive in tall grass and piles of wood, mulch, or leaves, so be sure to eliminate these from the property.
Q. How can homeowners get rid of voles permanently?
Extermination should be considered only as a last resort. In fact, it’s important to note that it’s illegal to kill voles in some parts of the country. To permanently get rid of voles, consider using a trap-and-release system. Release the voles into a green area that’s away from other residences.
Q. Do sonic repellers work on voles?
Ultrasonic pest repellents are effective on voles because they emit a frequency of sound that’s irritating to them and therefore keeps them at bay.
Q. Do vole deterrents work?
Though some vole deterrents do work, it’s important to choose a product that’s well-reviewed and has been proved to be effective.
Q. What is a home remedy to get rid of voles?
Voles are deterred by both castor oil and capsaicin—a compound found in hot peppers. Either of these products can act as a simple DIY vole deterrent.
Q. What time of year are voles most active?
Unlike many other pests, voles are active year-round.
