Voles not only nibble on vegetables, but also on the roots of ornamental plants and trees and shrubs. That is why they are not welcome in the vegetable garden or in the ornamental garden. Below you will find out which traps you can choose from to combat voles and how you can increase your chances of catching them.
The pincer trap crushes voles between the pincer arms
vole traps
There is a large selection of vole traps. On the one hand there is a large range of killing traps, on the other hand the live traps for animal lovers. Remember that even a live mouse trap can be deadly if the mouse is not discovered in time.
Live traps for voles
The range of live traps has increased in recent years, because more and more gardeners are taking animal welfare to heart. The offer ranges from very cheap tube traps made of plastic to ingenious box traps made of wire or plastic.
Live traps are loaded with vole food such as potatoes, root vegetables, or other.
Killing traps for voles
Voles are not under conservation law and are therefore allowed to be killed with a killing trap. However, it is important to keep the suffering of the animals as low as possible. This is what it says in paragraph 1 of the Animal Welfare Act
No one may cause pain, suffering or harm to an animal without just cause.
Therefore, killing traps should always be set according to regulations to ensure proper functioning.
The self-shot trap
Contrary to what the name might suggest, the shot trap does not shoot bullets. If the vole touches the trigger, a strong overpressure is created in the corridor, which causes the vole's lungs to burst and should lead to immediate death. Animal rights activists argue that the proper functioning of the self-shooting trap cannot be guaranteed and if it malfunctions, the vole will die a slow, painful death.
The pincer trap
When the pincer trap is triggered, the vole is crushed between two toothed arms. Vendors advertise that death is quick and painless; Animal lovers have their concerns. You can find out more about the function and setting up of the pincer trap here.
snap traps
Gone are the days of the typical snap trap with cheese on the trigger. Nevertheless, the snap trap has not yet had its day. Various models with different structures still crush the mouse today. This option is the least advisable. Voles can be caught on the limbs and thus not killed immediately and then slowly and painfully die.
Set up the vole trap correctly
- All traps are placed in the corridor.
- When setting up all traps, it is of great importance to only touch them with odorless gloves and to avoid impregnating them with "human smell".
- With all trap types, it makes sense to position multiple traps to guarantee success
- Check all traps several times a day. In the case of live traps, timely, stress-free release of the vole must be ensured. Killing traps must be emptied promptly if a catch is successful in order to avoid the smell of carcasses.
tips
If you have successfully caught the vole, you can prevent another infestation with anti-vole plants.