Voles under raised bed garden - Ask Extension
The voles are digging tunnels in my raised bed planters and other places too. The planters are metal and 3 feet by 6 feet. How can I get rid of the vo...
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Voles under raised bed garden #911989
Asked July 30, 2025, 10:17 AM EDT
The voles are digging tunnels in my raised bed planters and other places too. The planters are metal and 3 feet by 6 feet. How can I get rid of the voles and keep my planters free of them?
Thank you!
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
One method is to line the bottom of your raised beds with hardware cloth or wire mesh with holes no larger than 1/4 inch to keepvoles from tunneling up into the beds. Secure the mesh tightly around the edges and curve it slightly up the sides before filling the container with soil. This helps create a barrier from below. This method has been successfully used to keep voles out of garden beds. Also, keep tall grass and litter away from the planters and consider planting strong-smelling plants, especially those in the allium family such as garlic, onions, chives, and daffodils around the edges of the planters or garden to help deter voles naturally. Here is more information on voles and how to keep them away - https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/vole-damage
