Keeping Rodents & More Out of Your Lawn

While factors that affect the health and beauty of your lawn such as inclement weather or soil type can be hard to control, others are treatable and preventable given the right resources and advice, including rodent lawn damage. Read on for some valuable tips and tricks from the lawn care experts at The Grounds Guys® that can help to eliminate frustration and protect your investment.

What's Eating Your Lawn?

Rodents and other small creatures that burrow, tunnel, or dig in search of food or shelter can negatively impact the quality and appearance of your lawn. Knowing which type of critter is the cause of the destruction can help you get rid of them and stop them from coming back, and may include one or more of the following:

Moles

Moles feast off the insects that live in the soil beneath your lawn and have bodies designed for digging and foraging underground with long, pointy noses and short limbs with long claws. As they construct their tunnels and move about you may notice raised ridges in your lawn or volcano-shaped mounds of earth.

Voles

Voles are similar in size and appearance to field mice, and while they have many of the same habits as moles including tunneling, they are often found closer to the surface dining on a vegetarian diet of blades of grass, root vegetables, flower bulbs, and more.

Skunks or Raccoons

Numerous holes throughout your lawn and garden may be the work of skunks or raccoons. Both creatures are relentless in their pursuit of grubs and can cause extensive damage as they pull up the lawn in search of food.

Gophers

If you notice crescent or horseshoe shaped mounds of earth around your property you may have one or more pocket gophers living below ground. Their main diet is plant-based but they may cause further damage by chewing on sprinkler lines.

Ground Squirrels

These squirrels have similar characteristics to tree squirrels, but instead of a tree den, they make their home in an underground burrow. They eat a variety of plants, leaves, twigs, and other organic matter and may also destroy components of your irrigation system. Large raised mounds can make yard work a challenge and may pose a tripping hazard as you try to navigate your property.

Tips to Prevent Rodent Lawn Damage

Once you have determined the cause of the damage you can begin implementing measures to take back control of your outdoor environment using these tips:

• Skunk lawn damage is a result of the search for grubs. Other creatures such as raccoons and crows may also tear up your lawn looking for this food source, and grub control is the best deterrent. Maintain a healthy, thick lawn and use an insecticide if needed.
• Humane traps can be used to capture and remove rodents and pests from your property.
• Predator urine granules can be scattered around your yard as an effective repellant to rats, squirrels, moles, and more.
• Ammonia has an unpleasant, strong odor that may work to deter rabbits and other pests. Spray full strength on fencing, or place strips of cloth soaked in ammonia at entry points to your yard.
• Motion-activated sprinklers and security lights may startle most creatures and send them scurrying.

Professional Pest Control Services at Your Home or Business

Rodents and other pests are a part of any balanced ecosystem and are a sign that you have a healthy landscape. Contact The Grounds Guys location nearest you today to learn more about our professional pest control services, including how to reduce or eliminate lawn damage and keep your yard looking its best. Request a free job estimate today!