The crawfish that create holes and chimneys in landscapes spend their entire lives away from permanent water. In the early spring, they leave their burrows for a few hours after heavy rainfalls and mate.
A few weeks later, the females lay their eggs, and the next heavy rain, they will emerge again and turn their babies loose in large puddles, ditches, etc. The reason there are more inquiries about crawfish burrows in late spring/early summer is because they have just finished their spawning season and are back in the ground cleaning out and enlarging their burrows (or making their very first burrows). There is no pesticide labelled for crawfish control.
That said -- how to get rid of them? Putting pesticides down burrows can potentially contaminate groundwater. And it's illegal. Putting bleach down burrows is often ineffective. One thing that seems to work is lye.
Putting lye in the burrows (about a tablespoon full) usually does the job. And, as it migrates through the surrounding soil, it turns into harmless by-products. When using lye, remember that it is caustic. Be sure to wear hand and eye protection and protective clothing. Lye is used in making homemade soap and may be available where soap-making supplies are sold. It's readily available online.
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I am in Santa Fe, TX, near the coast, but in more of a rural area. We have lots and lots of Crawdads that burrow holes in our yard and ditches. Does anyone know how...
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Sounds like dinner was delivered to you! I would eat them. Here is what you can try.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/animals/getting-rid-crayfish-in-lawn.htm
I thought they lived in water. Wow
The crawfish that create holes and chimneys in landscapes spend their entire lives away from permanent water. In the early spring, they leave their burrows for a few hours after heavy rainfalls and mate.
A few weeks later, the females lay their eggs, and the next heavy rain, they will emerge again and turn their babies loose in large puddles, ditches, etc. The reason there are more inquiries about crawfish burrows in late spring/early summer is because they have just finished their spawning season and are back in the ground cleaning out and enlarging their burrows (or making their very first burrows). There is no pesticide labelled for crawfish control.
That said -- how to get rid of them? Putting pesticides down burrows can potentially contaminate groundwater. And it's illegal. Putting bleach down burrows is often ineffective. One thing that seems to work is lye.
Putting lye in the burrows (about a tablespoon full) usually does the job. And, as it migrates through the surrounding soil, it turns into harmless by-products. When using lye, remember that it is caustic. Be sure to wear hand and eye protection and protective clothing. Lye is used in making homemade soap and may be available where soap-making supplies are sold. It's readily available online.
Hi, I hope this link gives you some ideas on how to get rid of these critters!
https://www.hunker.com/12493719/how-to-get-rid-of-crawdads-in-the-yard