What do voles typically eat?

Voles are primarily herbivorous creatures that feed on a variety of plant materials, particularly favoring the roots and stems of grasses. They also consume seeds and bulbs, making them a significant concern in agricultural settings and gardens where turfgrass and ornamental plants are present. Their diet is predominantly plant-based, rather than encompassing a wide range of foods like insects or animal matter. Because of this herbivorous diet, voles can cause considerable damage to lawns and landscape plants, particularly in the cooler months when they burrow and tunnel beneath the snow for food sources. Understanding their feeding habits helps in managing their populations effectively and protecting turfgrass and other plants from their voracious eating habits.