Last year I put ammonia soak rags in the hole where the flag stone has been lifted up!!
Does anyone know what is making these burrows?
by
Diane Grant
+2
Apparently I have a digger family. This is along the side if my home. There is a 3-4 ' crawl space below. My backyard has become uneven as well. The really odd thing is I'm finding pieces of Insulation in the backyard & on the deck every so often. I've seen chipmunks & we do have skunks in the area. Oh, I have seen boat load of bunnies recemtly as well.
I'm in the Chicago area so the ground has been frozen. It even snowed a bit last night!. This looks pretty fresh.
I'm on a TIGHT budget. Any ideas would be appreciated
4 holes total. Many many years ago there was a HUGE Elm tree there. Dutch elm, so I had to remove it.
Most likely groundhogs. One groundhog will make several entrances to their den and come out of them in the spring. I had the same problem in Michigan. You can set out a trap for them by plugging all the entrances with large stones or something else very heavy and setting the trap in front of the open hole. They like apples so put one of them in the trap to lure them into it. If you catch it, cover the trap with a blanket and take it for a ride at least 5 miles away. Preferably not by someones house. There are other way to exterminate them as well. This is one of them. https://www.google.com/shopping/product/7974825571544565815?lsf=seller:8049,store:4352624944154470354&prds=oid:16875546055823249839&q=smoke+bombs+for+ground+hogs&hl=en&ei=ThGhXMGsEtK-tQWXoae4Bw&lsft=gclid:Cj0KCQjwyoHlBRCNARIsAFjKJ6Du34ZbDNZ0aSnfNc5EfsNcrRPgPkYjENTvvCthFlaLw8_uGsy9QC4aApEQEALw_wcB
Groundhogs can become very aggressive. Better to have it trapped and disposed of. If discharging of ammunition is approved in your area, shoot it.
Skunks are attracted to moles and voles, which are attracted to earthworms, seeds, grubs. Try applying crushed mothballs in these tunnels, if they are small in diameter. Push solid mothballs in using a stick, then pile dirt at end of tunnels. Tamp down and weight down with multiple bricks or heavy rocks.
Moles dislike ground vibrations. Try yard spinners, moved by wind, with the pole near the tunnels.
Agricultural grade castor bean oil spray and castor bean plants are effective in deterring groundhogs. If they're gaining access to your crawl space, you'll need to dig down, insert hardware cloth screening, and securely fasten it to prevent re-entry.
Bird seed, grass seed will attract chipmunks and squirrels. Store it in tightly secured containers. The insulation you see is most likely being used for rodents' nests.
Note that trees near your home can provide access points for rodents. Groundhogs like to hide beneath sheds, in rock piles, stacks of timber, fallen branches, tall grasses, etc. Spray these areas with brush killer and remove hiding places.
I was thinking groundhogs also. My Dogs and neighbors' Dogs took care of the only 2 Groundhogs I've ever had on my place in 21 years. I would have stopped them if possible.
You might try used Cat Litter in the Tunnels/Holes. I've heard it works for Moles. I think it's the Predator scents that they don't like, not sure tho!
If you trap or shoot them, you can always cook and eat them. They are strictly herbivores and in early spring their fat layers won't be bad like in the Summer/Fall. Check your State Game Laws of course. In my State (Kentucky) we are so overrun with them that they can be taken year round!
I don't want to offend anyone so sorry if I did. I am a Realist about such things! Wild Game and Poultry are the only Meats I eat.
Groundhogs do a lot of DESTRUCTION with their digging and can cause small buildings, sidewalks, patios, flower beds and other solid things to cave in when the tunnels/holes get too close. Numerous Horses and Cattle Have broken legs or necks from accidentally stepping into the hole or loose dirt above the tunnels. People too I'd guess!
Good luck to you.
Believe it or not, chipmunks come out of the holes in a mulched area around our bird feeder. I have annuals planted there too.