Managing Voles and Common Lawn Pests in Alberta

Alberta’s unique climate and landscape make our yards susceptible to a handful of persistent pests—especially voles, grubs, chinch bugs, and cutworms. Whether you’re dealing with mysterious surface runways in spring or unexplained patches of thinning turf, an integrated pest management approach can help restore your lawn’s health and beauty.

Dealing with Voles in Edmonton Lawns

Voles are small rodents that create winding runways across your lawn and may gnaw on the bark of young trees, especially under winter snow. Here’s how you can keep them in check

Prevention: Your Best Defence

Habitat Modification

Mow your lawn regularly, keeping it shorter in the fall. Remove brush piles, leaves, and dense ground cover—voles like to hide and nest in protected areas.

Remove Food Sources

Clear away fallen birdseed, fruit, or garden vegetables. Store all grass seed and pet food in secure, rodent-proof containers.

Physical Barriers

Use 1/4-inch wire mesh (also known as hardware cloth) or metal tree guards around the base of young trees and shrubs to protect them from damage. Extend at least 12” above ground (beyond the expected snow line) and bury 3–6” below soil level.

Winter Strategies

Avoid piling snow onto your lawn or up against trees and shrubs. Deep snow creates an insulated highway for voles to feed unbothered during the winter.

Control Methods

Trapping

For small areas, snap traps or live traps baited with peanut butter or oatmeal placed along active runways are effective. Check traps daily and reposition as needed.

Repellents

Castor oil-based repellents and granules create unattractive conditions for voles, but must be reapplied after rain.

Professional Help

For larger or stubborn infestations, reputable pest control professionals in Edmonton can offer more robust solutions.

Repairing Vole Damage

Vole runways and patches are usually cosmetic—and lawns spring back once voles are gone:

• Rake out dead grass in spring.
• Perform core aeration to encourage new growth.
• Overseed any thinned spots for a fast recovery.

Other Common Lawn Pests in Edmonton

Grubs

Signs: Irregular brown patches and easy-to-lift turf.

Control: Beneficial nematodes offer a pet- and environmentally friendly solution; apply in late summer for maximum impact.

Sod Webworms & Cutworms

Signs: Chewed blades and thinning patches, especially mid-to-late summer.

Control: Maintain healthy grass with proper mowing, watering, and fertilization. Beneficial nematodes work against soil-dwelling larvae. 

Chinch Bugs

Signs: Yellowing and dying grass in irregular patches, especially during dry, hot weather.

Control: Maintain adequate watering and reduce thatch buildup. Insect control materials can be used as a last resort if required.

Basic Integrated Pest Management Principles

Strong Lawns Resist Pests

A thick, well-watered, and properly fertilized lawn is naturally less vulnerable to most pests.

Combine Methods for Success

Use cultural, mechanical, and, if necessary, biological controls, rather than relying on a single control measure.

Correct Pest Identification Is Key

Many lawn problems look similar! If you’re uncertain whether you’re dealing with voles, moles, insects, or something else, consider reaching out to a pest control expert for precise identification and safe treatment options.

 

With proactive care and a little neighbourhood know-how, you can keep your lawn healthy and minimize pest damage all season long. And remember, the Neighbourhood Heroes team is always here if you need advice, help repairing damage, or extra hands to protect your outdoor spaces.