As the snows of December melted, did you see small runways in your lawn?

The runways were probably made by voles.

Voles are small, chunky, ground-dwelling rodents. Voles have other common names, including meadow mice, ground moles, field mice and meadow moles.

The use of these terms can cause confusion when identifying rodents. It is important that small mammals be identified correctly before starting animal control activities, since materials and methods effective against one species may not be useful on another.

Voles are frequently mistaken for moles, shrews and mice.

Moles have greatly enlarged front feet, with prominent digging claws. Moles also have no external ears and very small eyes.

Shrews are smaller than voles, and have long, pointed snouts and pointed front teeth, with their eyes and ears nearly hidden in their fur.

Voles have rounded, blunt snouts, and their front teeth are chisel-shaped. Their eyes and ears are readily apparent.

The distinction between voles and mice is less obvious. The best way to distinguish them is by tail length. Mice have long tails that extend nearly half their body length, whereas voles have short tails.

Voles may cause extensive damage to ornamentals and tree plantings by gnawing on the bark of seedlings and mature trees (girdling). Underground, woodland voles may consume small roots, girdle large roots, and eat bark from the base of trees.

After a snow has melted, the runway systems of meadow voles can also create unsightly areas in lawns and ground covers. However, this usually is only a temporary problem.

The most easily identifiable sign of meadow voles is an extensive surface runway system with numerous burrow openings. Voles keep these runways free of obstructions, and vegetation near well-traveled runways may be clipped close to the ground.

Homeowners often notice meadow vole damage when melting snow reveals the crisscross network of runways voles used to travel under the snow. Under the cover of snow, meadow voles may travel safely into areas they would not normally venture, such as open lawns or grassy areas.

The voles usually disappear with the melting snow, and the lawn quickly recovers.

"Growing Green" is contributed by Lehigh County Extension Office Staff and Master Gardeners. Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-746-1970.