Lawns - Two 4- to 5-inch diameter holes in lawn

Over the past two days I have found first one, then two, 4- to 5-inch holes in my back lawn (not in as fine condition as the front one), part of which is on a 10 to 12% grade. The fresh dirt from the holes is on the lower side of the slope, coming out of the holes. There are what look like small animal footprints, about 3/4-inch front to back, in the dirt. Can anyone suggest the animal and the antidote for it?

I've posted pictures of the holes and a depression in the grass (as if a large animal has curled up there for the night) at http://www.filedropper.com/wildlifeevidence001, http://www.filedropper.com/wildlifeevidence002, http://www.filedropper.com/wildlifeevidence003 and http://www.filedropper.com/wildlifeevidence004-1.

Thank you.
Frank D

My first impression is ground hog or ground squirrel. Not real sure what all critters live in your neck of the woods. You might try calling the local animal control service or Parks and Wildlife Dept. and ask if the could ID the culprit. You may just have to trap one to find out for yourself.

Kerry,

I agree with your ground hog impression. We've lived here (upper NY state) over 40 years and have never had problems with the many squirrels, which don't seem to dig in the ground (ours at least), but ground hogs around here have been known to dig holes -- just never in the middle of my lawn before.

As to critters, we also have skunks and white-tailed deer, but we've never had problems with either of those.

Trapping of wild animals never appealed to me for a number of reasons: (1) cost; (2) you can trap one, but there are more where that one came from; (3) what do you do with the critter in the trap?

My hopes are more in the line of prevention or deterrence. Although a fence is out of the question, poison might be an option.

Any ideas? Thanks!

Frank

Hi Frank, my vote would be groundhogs. This is the time of the year when the little ones are big enough for mom to kick them out to build their own dens, ie your yard. NY has a fair number of these critters. Trap and relocate is the best way to get rid of them, then sprinkle some from of deterant around the area to prevent others from taking over. If you chase them away, they won't go far and you will still have the issue of dealing with them without knowing where the den is.

GL
Bud

Bud and Kerry,

I've done some Googling and came up with the idea of a motion sensor sprinkler (or motion activated sprinkler) as being safe and "can't we just get along" friendly for wildlife.

Here is one type that is intended for cats: Bravisa.com: Shop EasyTek for Eco Friendly Automatic Outdoor CatStop CAT001 Cat Deterrent Motion Sensor Sprinkler: Garden Care (http://www.bravisa.com/mybstore/easytek/bStoreProd/454541).

Here is another intended for many types of animals:
The Scarecrow Motion Sprinkler - Free Shipping! (http://www.safepetproducts.com/scarecrow-motion-sprinkler.html?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=motion%20activated%20sprinkler&utm_content=m350763282&utm_campaign=msn-campaign-scarecrow) .

Do you think either of these would be likely to work for groundhogs?

Other suggestions?

Frank

You're trying to be too kind, but they/it will change your mind soon. These are outdoor animals and a bit of rain won't make them relocate. I'm smiling as my story is much longer. Our resident pest has been around so long, just saw her, she is now blond. I haven't the slightest idea if that is an indication of her age, but she or others have been here forever. Lots of woods so unknown where she sleeps. At least she runs off the pups each year and we only have to deal with her. I've considered lead poisoning, but have become an old softy. Maybe at my age I don't like the thought of euthanizing anything, (I may be next).

Sorry I can't be more help. Also, you still don't know what you have, maybe rent/borrow one of those motion sensor cameras.

I have made critters relocate with moth balls, they just don't move very far.

Bud

I've added mothballs, per your suggestion, to the holes and backfilled them. No new ones have appeared in the two days since the first two. I'll cross my fingers and hope it was a quick, one-two-shot and that there will be no more. We shall wait and see.

I'm not trying to be kind to these wild animals (but I do stop short of causing pain), just trying to accomplish something with the least effort and disruption to my life and surroundings. If explosives, as a silly example, were allowable I'd use them.

As for determining the specific type of animal, the harm having been done I don't see any point in using a motion-activated camera. The remedy, whatever it may be, would probably be the same in any case.

Thanks!
Frank