A to Z of Pests

Field Vole

Microtus agrestis

Appearance

• Their head and body length is between 8 and 13 cm, with weight ranging from 14 to 50g.
• Field voles have grey–brown fur with pale grey under–parts.
• They have small eyes and ears and a short tail.

Lifecycle

• They breed during March to October.
• Females produce 4 to 6 young after a gestation period of 18 to 20 days.
• They can live for up to two years.

Habits

• Field voles inhabit grassland, meadows and marshland and they mainly feed on green leaves and grasses.
• In the summer they are generally nocturnal. However in the winter when food is scarce, they also come out during the day.