Rodents and Landscape Damage Under Snow

 

Yes, rodents, especially voles and mice, usually cause more damage to landscapes when there is a layer of snow on the ground. This kind of damage can be more serious and noticeable than what occurs in other seasons.

When snow covers the ground, it acts like a blanket for rodents. It keeps them safe from predators, such as hawks, foxes, and cats, and shields them from extreme cold temperatures. Rodents use this protection to move around freely and feed on plants, roots, bark, and grass without much risk.

 

How Rodent Damage Happens Under Snow

 

Rodents tunnel through the layer of snow, close to the soil. This allows them to reach food sources such as grass, bulbs, roots, and the bark of shrubs and young trees. Because snow hides their activity, you often won’t notice any problems until the snow melts.

• Girdling Trees and Shrubs: Rodents, especially voles and field mice, use their sharp teeth to chew through the bark at the base of shrubs and young trees. This chewing is called "girdling." Girdling can kill a tree or shrub because it interrupts the flow of water and nutrients.
• Eating Grass and Perennials: Rodents make tunnels beneath the snow and often eat the tender shoots and roots of perennial plants and grass. This can cause dead patches or weaken plants so much that they don’t bounce back in spring.
• Damage to Bulbs and Roots: Tulip, crocus, and other flower bulbs are favorite foods for these rodents. Under the cover of snow, they dig down to reach and eat them, possibly destroying entire plantings.
• Tunnel Systems: The tunnels rodents create (sometimes called "runways") can crisscross your lawn, leaving behind a tangled mess of flattened grass and exposed soil after the snow disappears.

 

Why the Damage Is Worse Under Snow

 

There are several reasons why rodent activity and damage go up in snowy conditions:

• Protection From Predators: Snow hides rodents from animals that would otherwise keep their numbers in check.
• Stable Environment: The snow maintains a more constant temperature near the soil, making it easier for rodents to stay active, even on very cold days.
• Access to Food: With no grass mowing or weeding in winter, landscapes often have plenty of available food sources, like uncollected seeds, plant bulbs, and mulch layers.
• Unnoticed Damage: Because snow covers everything, people rarely see the tunnels and feeding until late winter or early spring, when it may be too late to prevent or fix the worst damage.

 

How to Prevent Rodent Damage in Winter

 

There are several strategies you can use to protect your landscape from rodent damage during snowy months:

• Wrap tree trunks with protective collars or hardware cloth before snowfall, extending the barrier several inches below and above ground level.
• Clear tall grass, weeds, and mulch from the bases of trees and shrubs, reducing hiding and feeding spots for rodents.
• Avoid piling deep mulch or snow against trunks, as this can encourage rodent activity.
• Set traps or use approved rodent repellents in problem areas, especially before the snow gets deep.
• Regularly inspect your landscape after snow melts, looking for signs of tunneling or gnawing, so you can address any problems quickly.

 

Summary

 

Rodents are much more likely to damage landscapes under a cover of snow because the snow gives them a safe and hidden place to chew, tunnel, and feed. This can lead to serious harm to young trees, shrubs, lawns, and plantings that you may not even realize until spring arrives. Taking proactive steps, like physical barriers and landscape clean-up, can greatly reduce the chance of rodent damage during winter.