Some thing is digging in my yard. (chimney, property, Louisiana)

[Jessiegee40]

I am located in South Louisiana, just north of New Orleans. I am in a very rural area with woods all around me. Something is making round holes in my yard every night. The holes very in size but they are always round and it looks like a "divit" of grass by each hole.

Any idea what this could be? I'm thinking Armadillos (spelling ?). It's not moles because there isn't any tunnels.

So....any ideas on what this might be? AND how to stop them? I have lived in this house for 13 years and have never had this problem.

Also, just so you know......I'm am not going to stay up all night watching and shoot the offenders. No gun...sorry.

[mytimenow]

Could be, one of the first animals I thought of. Also might be skunk? Have you had lots of slugs or beetles in your lawn this year? If you get rid of the food source, you'll get rid of the animal. I guess you could use a haveaheart trap, but I don't know what would attract an armadillo.

[Jessiegee40]

We are behind on the rain fall so my yard is very dry. I haven't seen any slugs but beetles would be a possibility. I do have a trap that I used to catch a racoon that was getting into my garbage but as you said, I don't know what I would put in it.

[South Jersey Styx]

Could it be squirrels? Digging holes and burying things for Fall?

[Jessiegee40]

Originally Posted by South Jersey Styx

Could it be squirrels? Digging holes and burying things for Fall?

If it is, they are forgetting to put something in the hole and cover it.

No the holes are open. Round, about an 1" to 1 1/2", about the same deep and the clump of dirt/grass is near the hole.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by Jessiegee40

If it is, they are forgetting to put something in the hole and cover it.

No the holes are open. Round, about an 1" to 1 1/2", about the same deep and the clump of dirt/grass is near the hole.

Hold on, now.

Do they look like this?
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/lib/agriculture/plantindustryfiles/cicada_hole_with_nickle.jpg (broken link)



If so, staying up all night with a gun wouldn't do you any good anyway.

Those are cicada emergence holes. How long have you been in Louisiana? I'm guessing not very long if you haven't seen cicada holes. You know that loud, ubiquitous chorus of insects that you are hearing every evening at about sunset? That's cicadas.
http://www.cicadamania.com/images/vibul2007/cicada02-large.jpg (broken link)

Another possibility in Louisiana if you have water on or near your property is that those are crayfish chimneys.

[Jessiegee40]

No Jim they don't look like that. What you picture looks like something coming out of the ground. What I have looks like something digging in the ground.

I've been in Louisiana for 27 years and in this house for 13. Never saw this before.

[Jessiegee40]

Another possibility in Louisiana if you have water on or near your property is that those are crayfish chimneys.

I know what crawfish "holes" look like also and yes they do look like chimneys.

[Va-Cat]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

Hold on, now.

Do they look like this?




If so, staying up all night with a gun wouldn't do you any good anyway.

Those are cicada emergence holes. How long have you been in Louisiana? I'm guessing not very long if you haven't seen cicada holes. You know that loud, ubiquitous chorus of insects that you are hearing every evening at about sunset? That's cicadas.


Another possibility in Louisiana if you have water on or near your property is that those are crayfish chimneys.

I was thinking either mudbugs or insects and I bet you are right on this one. If so - give the man a brass ring

[jimboburnsy]

How about this?



You may be a bit far south for chipmunks, but they do range into the "upper" of the LA boot. Their holes are generally less than 3" across and shallow. May dig several false holes.