Which habitat modification technique is recommended to reduce vole activity around cultivated areas?

• A. Leave weeds and litter in place
• B. Regular lawn mowing, mulch cleared 3 feet or more from bases; soil tillage
• C. Plant dense ground cover
• D. Increase watering frequency

Answer: (B)

Reducing vole activity around cultivated areas comes down to making the environment less inviting for shelter and access. Regular lawn mowing keeps ground cover short, which reduces the low-growing vegetation voles rely on to stay hidden. Clearing mulch and debris three feet or more from bases removes protective cover right where crops are grown, making it harder for voles to move undetected and to nest near the field. Soil tillage disturbs and breaks up surface runways and shallow burrows, exposing voles to predators and disrupting their use of the area. By cutting shelter and access around the cultivated zone, these practices deter voles from lingering nearby. Leaving weeds or litter in place would increase cover; planting dense ground cover continues to provide hiding space; and more frequent watering can promote lush vegetation that supports vole populations, not reduce them.