will voles stay away?

Next time tag one and then you will know or stick some dye on it.

Don't know if they're the same as mice (I'd have thought legs were about the same length), but the rule of thumb with mice is if you release them half a mile away they definitely won't be back. In reality, I'd have thought you could release them a lot closer than that and they wouldn't be likely to return. I mean, they're not homing pigeons, any food supply is as good as another

I wouldn't really advice to handle voles that are alive. They can carry the hantavirus. But I don't know how widespread the virus is in the UK.

Don't handle them directly anyway -- they bite!!!! 

I have one of these multi-traps in my garage. The most I have caught at once is 5. One problem is that you cannot easily tip them out into a bag for deportation. Firstly you have to open the wide lid, secondly the mice tend to hide under the entrance flap and refuse to come out. The only way to empty it is to put it on the ground, open the lid and wait. No need to touch the mice.

Yes Bazial, a horrible end I couldn`t make happen.They made such cute little squeaks!

This hantavirus is a worry,the dogs chase them around on the allotment,I hope it isn`t catching for canines .........eeek
I have caught ,accidentally I might add,a mouse in a water butt.It jumped in from a nearby large tub with a blackcurrant bush in it.

I worried all day about how long it took to drown.

So,I shall be letting my voles go a good few fields away,then,I shan`t be upset!