Holes in my soil

If it is not eating your plants, it might be crayfish. I was worried about a couple of big holes, and saw a very large "crawdad" poking his head out. Check just after dark with a flashlight, and you might see him peeking out.

I have also had issues with voles, especially eating my potatoes. Hope that is NOT your problem. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy's garden.

I have a similar problem. When I moved here in the Autumn I thought it was mole sign, but nope, chipmunks.

Squat_Johnson wrote:If it is not eating your plants, it might be crayfish. I was worried about a couple of big holes, and saw a very large "crawdad" poking his head out. Check just after dark with a flashlight, and you might see him peeking out.

I have also had issues with voles, especially eating my potatoes. Hope that is NOT your problem. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy's garden.

I don't think we have crayfish. Well, we do in creeks and streams but I don't live by any bodies of water. You may be right on w/the voles, though. I even saw on in that exact spot before putting SFG's in that area. Just before my husband constructed the new beds where I'm having the "HOLE" problem, I saw what I thought was a MOLE in the grass. He came up on the surface just for a moment, then burrowed back down in. Someone told me it was probably a VOLE.


If it is VOLES... what do I do to get them to STOP digging holes in my garden?

My garden is about 150 yards from the nearest pond, but there are still crayfish there.

Voles? I baited a dozen Victory mouse traps with peanut butter. Caught 4. I also flattened all the mole paths in the area. Voles use the Mole tunnels to find your garden. Not sure I have rid the area yet, but there is a lot less sign of their destruction.

see also: http://squarefoot.creatingforum.com/showcase-of-gardens-f6/name-this-vermin-t2534.htm

I have holes in my lawn and see chipmunks and squirrels around all the time. I'm pretty sure mine are chipmunk holes, but I found this webpage which helps identify who the hole belongs to: http://icwdm.org/inspection/groundholes.asp

Copied form the site are descriptions below, but see the link above to view photos.

If less than 3 inches diameter:
Chipmunk holes tend to be silver dollar sized.
Holes tend to be cleanly dug. Note the shiny quarter to the left of the hole. Chipmunks are easily seen during the day.


Crawfish
Crawfish can burrow 2 inch wide holes into the lawn. Lawns must be near water.

13 Lined Ground Squirrel
Very clean outside of hole. There may be another hole of similar size within 20 feet. They are easily seen on warm, sunny days.


Kangaroo Rats--

Den entrance is 2-3 inches wide and 3-4 inches long. They prefer sandy, dry soil. Populations can get quite high, >30 per acre.


Rat, Norway. Holes tend to be 2-3 inches wide and smooth from repeated use. Rats are secretive and rarely seen during the day. If you see them during daylight hours, it means you have a lot of rats on the premises. Drawing of their burrow system can be seen below. Photo at right shows a Norwary rat hole. Note the 6" ruler above.

Skunk: Skunks will dig specific and individual holes in their quest for grubs and lawn insects. They will be systematic, moving from section to section each night.

Voles
Pine vole--Dime sized holes, often around the roots of plants. Voles are primarily nocturnal.