Critter in the Compost - Ask Extension
Hello! We discovered a vast network of vole tunnels and holes in our yard early this past spring. We didn't have any trouble with anything digging i...
Knowledgebase
Critter in the Compost #922699
Asked December 06, 2025, 1:57 PM EST
Hello! We discovered a vast network of vole tunnels and holes in our yard early this past spring. We didn't have any trouble with anything digging into our garden nearby, so we hoped the vole either left or had died. This fall and winter, though, we've been seeing a lot of turnover in our compost pile that hasn't been done by us. There is a hole and clear evidence that something has been digging up into and all through the compost pile. We suspect the vole decided to stick around and enjoy the easy food supply. Is the compost still usable? Is there a way to get rid of the vole that won't involve poisoning the entire compost pile? Please advise.
Polk County Iowa
Expert Response
The compost is still usable. If there is a noticeable or considerable amount of feces, wait 120 days before harvesting from any vegetable garden where the compost is used. It can be used around non-edible plants without a waiting period.
There are several critters apart from voles that can dig and cause messes in compost piles, including raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, mice, rats, and groundhogs.
The easiest way to prevent damage from any animal is through exclusion. Placing hardware cloth or chicken wire fencing over the pile to block access to digging may be just enough to deter these critters and encourage them to move on. The metal fencing can be laid over top and held in place with bricks or pinned in place with landscape staples.
More information about voles can be found here:
https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/wildlife/problem/vole-tracks-grass
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/what-produces-narrow-snow-pathways-my-lawn
--Aaron
There are several critters apart from voles that can dig and cause messes in compost piles, including raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, mice, rats, and groundhogs.
The easiest way to prevent damage from any animal is through exclusion. Placing hardware cloth or chicken wire fencing over the pile to block access to digging may be just enough to deter these critters and encourage them to move on. The metal fencing can be laid over top and held in place with bricks or pinned in place with landscape staples.
More information about voles can be found here:
https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/wildlife/problem/vole-tracks-grass
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/what-produces-narrow-snow-pathways-my-lawn
--Aaron
Thanks, Aaron! The compost is actually stored in a covered bin. We suspect a vole because the critter is digging up through the bottom of the pile. Any advice for stopping that? Do we have to entirely move our compost heap and put a barrier down before moving it back?
Thanks!
Megan
Getting the barrier under the pile would likely help, but is obviously a lot of work. You may also be able to deter the invasion just enough by surrounding the bin with hardware cloth and burying the bottom six or more inches in the ground. Voles do climb, but would struggle to climb up a smooth plastic bin.
More information about vole control can be found here: https://icwdm.org/species/rodents/voles/
--Aaron
More information about vole control can be found here: https://icwdm.org/species/rodents/voles/
--Aaron
