Central Idaho braces for spike in vole population

KETCHUM, Idaho (AP) – Officials in central Idaho say the vole population appears likely to spike this year due to a mange epidemic that wiped out foxes.

Lauren Golden of the University of Idaho Extension tells the Idaho Mountain Express (http://bit.ly/1Uhv8Jb) that vole damage in the area is severe.

Kristin Fletcher of the Sawtooth Botanical Garden says she’s also hearing that ground squirrels and rabbits are causing problems.

The extension office says vole populations surge about every 10 to 12 years.

The rodents can damage pastures, lawns and gardens. They can also kill trees by girdling the trunk.