Garlic: The secret weapon in defending your garden from voles

Has your garden turned into a battlefield? Is the ground riddled with holes, and do your plants look like something has eaten them from underneath? If so, it could indicate that you're dealing with voles. These tiny rodents can cause a lot of damage, but there is an inexpensive way to handle them.

Voles are small rodents often mistaken for mice. In reality, they are slightly smaller and more rounded. They live underground and are fond of plant roots. They have a cylindrical body about 10 to 15 centimetres long and a 5-centimetre tail.

Their fur is usually brown or grey and lacks a distinctive stripe down the back. Although they look unassuming, they can cause significant damage in the garden by gnawing on roots, bulbs, and rhizomes.

Voles are usually active at dusk and night and are nearly invisible during the day. Unlike moles, voles do not leave mounds. Instead, they create holes - often several or more in one place. These rodents don’t burrow deep underground. Their tunnels typically reach a depth of 5 to 15 centimetres.

Another sign is gnawed plant roots. If you notice that plants are drying out, wilting, or toppling over, and their roots are damaged, you probably have voles. The presence of these rodents also leads to yellowing lawns and drying grass blades.

Voles are a true nuisance for gardeners, but there is a simple and effective way to eliminate them. The solution turns out to be garlic. It’s best to place a few cloves in the holes. You can also opt to plant garlic in the part of the garden designated for ornamental plants.

It's also worth crushing the garlic cloves and waiting about 10 minutes. During this time, allicin - the substance responsible for the intense smell and action of the aromatic vegetable - is released. Then, the garlic pieces should be placed at the caves' entrances.

If you have more time, you can prepare a garlic spray by mixing crushed garlic with water and letting it sit for about 15 minutes. After straining, the spray should be poured into each hole. The pungent smell of garlic will effectively repel voles and force them to search for a new place to live. To enhance the effect, you can also add onions to the spray.