What is a common sign of a vole infestation?

A common sign of a vole infestation is the presence of narrow, paired grooves girdling a young tree. This behavior occurs because voles tend to gnaw on the bark of trees, particularly younger and more vulnerable specimens. The paired grooves indicate where voles have accessed the tree, typically as they consume the bark and cambium layer, which can ultimately harm or kill the tree if the damage is extensive. This pattern of feeding is distinctive to voles and helps in identifying their presence in a specific area.

The other signs mentioned, while they may indicate different types of pests or conditions, do not specifically point to vole activity. For instance, large holes in the ground are often associated with other burrowing animals like moles or gophers rather than voles. Visible nests or burrows may not directly relate to voles, as they often use existing structures or tunnels instead of building distinct nests. Unusual plant growth can be linked to a variety of factors and is not a reliable indicator of voles. Thus, noticing narrow, paired grooves on young trees is a key sign of vole infestation.