I've got one vole left to get and he just keeps digging new holes every day and avoids the old ones. I'm doing the twin trap setup with a cover over them. Should I bait? If so with what?

I think you were looking for the phrase, "Vole From Heck".

Vole deterrent?

We spread it for moles to keep them out of a yard once we trap them.

Sorry Paul. This guy is in the middle of the yard. We can't use chemicals on them here in CT. But I will look into the deterrent.

I did a vole job a couple weeks ago and tried a new approach, coupled with the back-to-back sets with covers. There were about 100 holes in a 10x20 foot area. I used my garden knife and sliced out small wedges of sod at about 25 of the holes, creating a "ramp" into each hole. Pinned the traps down using 16P nails as usual. No bait, no trap covers. Then I used my foam gun and plugged the remaining 75 holes. Forced them out the open holes. Caught 2 adults and 4 young the first day, and never caught another one. Pulled traps, plugged holes, added dirt... done.

Thinking your "last" vole could be caught using this method. Sure, they can chew or dig out through the foam... but they didn't. I think as long as there are openings they will use them. Light and air flow should attract them to the holes with traps. Certainly did in my case.

Here's the set-up. Cut wedge of sod, stake trap with nail, pan facing hole.


Multiple sets, holes plugged forcing voles to traps.


Results. Dead voles.

Ron,

That would make an excellent article for WCT Magazine, hint hint.

I did see your pictures of this in the past. And I did set it up like you had shown. I'll try not covering them then. Thanks Ron.