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What animal is doing this?

500 Views 15 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  GCoco
Is this from voles? I started seeing tunnels in the fall which I assume was voles. Dont have a major grub problem and I do see bermuda dying along tunnels. Now seeing less tunnels and more holes thanks to my bermuda coming out of dormancy. In Charlotte NC

from what I understand:
Moles eat insects like grubs and worms. And less likely to surface above ground.
Voles eat grass roots.
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Moles make volcanos, voles make clean holes that are usually golf ball size. Voles are vegetarians whereas moles are insect eaters. I don’t see any tunnels so it seems that those two culprits are out.

I am going to go with digger bee.
or birds... digging for a grub or worm? how deep are these holes?
or birds... digging for a grub or worm? how deep are these holes?
I put my finger in and dont feel the end. The way the dirt is piled it leaves me to believe it something from underground.
Moles make volcanos, voles make clean holes that are usually golf ball size. Voles are vegetarians whereas moles are insect eaters. I don’t see any tunnels so it seems that those two culprits are out.

I am going to go with digger bee.
Never seen a digger bee here. I have a nice garden and pay attention to the pollinators.
Mostly curious if its a pest I need to worry about for turf damage. Holes themselves arent a big deal.
Could be cicada killer wasp. Although it’s still too early for them. Is that picture from the fall? If so, did the holes stay put over winter?
Could be cicada killer wasp. Although it’s still too early for them. Is that picture from the fall? If so, did the holes stay put over winter?
Pic is from now. I get those wasps but they dont start until June or so. They suck.

Seems like 10 holes or so are new each morning. Might put out some cameras.
Have you tried a soapy water flush test? Maybe mole crickets?
Did the soap test and nothing came up.
Do the soapy water test on a good section without holes. When I did my test on the bad sections nothing came up either, they moved on. When I went to the better sections of grass thats when I discovered them.
Did the soap test and nothing came up.
Given the time of year it's possible the adult mole crickets have finished their life cycle and have died off. Are you still seeing damage?
Given the time of year it's possible the adult mole crickets have finished their life cycle and have died off. Are you still seeing damage?
Yep. Every morning I see 10 new holes in 2k ft area. Going to keep soap testing. Going to put a funnel on the holes and flood them. Maybe add some cayenne powder. Maybe another critter hates it.
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And all the holes are the size if your finger nail?
Its amazing all the people that register to get answers, then get abducted by aliens. I assume that is what is happening since we never get feedback.
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