Someone posted a recipe for a vole repellant on the perennials forum.

To one gallon of water, add 1 TBLS of castor oil and one cup of human urine. Shake well and sprinkle at the base of susceptible plants. This apparently lasts for several months. Continue shaking well as you apply. I wondered if a bit of dish detergent would help keep it mixed and less sticky, but I don't know whether that would diminish its effectiveness.

Martha

Thank you, Martha ! They are troublesome pests. I bought poison- but am reluctant to use as my precious dog is hyper focused on digging the critters up. I will try & let you know - They started feeding on yet another newly planted Oak leaf hydrangea - So I just dug it up myself until these terrorists are eradicated .

Castor Oil & Human Urine... What a combo !!!

When my yard was overrun with voles I did try the castor oil. I mixed a 6oz bottle in 2 gallons of water with 1 tablespoon of dish liquid. I sprayed around the base of all my plants and it worked! While the voles did have a good time tunneling through my yard, they did not get my roses and plants! I did repeat after 3 months and it has continued to work so far.

Cats

Yes !!! I did acquire a cat ! He eats 1 a day !!!

Bobblehead_doll - curious : do you have oak trees dropping zillions of acorns ? I read that is a particularly loved victual of voles... Sigh. I clean up trillions of acorns. Wish I had a quarter of a cent for each one !