Why Does My Lawn Look Like a Road Map? Understanding Vole Damage

If you’ve noticed "lightning bolts" of dead grass or strange tunnels as the snow recedes, you aren't alone. What you’re seeing is Vole Damage, a common springtime surprise in the Twin Cities.

• What are Voles?

Often mistaken for field mice, voles are small, blunt-nosed rodents that remain active all winter. They thrive in the "subnivean zone"—the space between the ground and the snowpack—which protects them from predators while they feed.

How They Damage Your Turf:

• Runways: They create "chewed-up" paths by eating grass blades and rhizomes down to the soil.
• Debris: You’ll likely see piles of dead grass and small, one-inch entry holes.
• Landscape Damage: Beyond the turf, they often gnaw on the bark of trees and shrubs, which can be fatal to woody plants if the damage circles the trunk.

Spring Recovery Steps:

1. Gentle Raking: Remove the loose, dead debris to allow the soil to breathe and let sunlight reach the surviving crowns.
2. Level and Seed: Once ground temperatures rise, fill any deep ruts with a bit of soil and overseed those areas.
3. Watch Our Guide: For the best results, check out our Spring Seeding Video for a step-by-step walkthrough.