Growing in a greenhouse often presents unexpected problems. One is the vole; they are often called meadow mice. They like to eat plants. Once they move into a greenhouse the living is easy – shelter, warmer location and a ready food source – the greenhouse crops! One year Ken lost most of a fall planting of spinach. Voles don’t take the usual mouse bait of cheese or peanut butter, so trapping them presents a real challenge; they are content living in the greenhouse and eating your crops.
We located a plan for a trap from Eliot Coleman, an organic grower in Maine who has written several extended season books. Last year I trialed a trap in a cardboard box before Ken went to the work of constructing it in wood. It did work, so Monday he made and installed a trap.
I hope we catch all the ones that Big Red the cat misses!
