You need to find out what animal is doing this. Different animals are managed in different ways, so proper identification is key. If it is squirrel damage, you should be able to see the incisor imprints at the location of …
We have too many destructive chipmunks around! What can we do? They get in the garage, they chew on the landscape edging and they have chewed into electrical cords.
First, do you have a bird feeder? Typically, chipmunk populations explode due to the availability of non-natural food sources, such as a bird feeder that spills seed. See below for information on managing your bird feeder. Trapping is still the …
Is there a humane way to discourage pocket gophers from setting up residence in a yard and garden area? I do not want to use traps or poison.
Less-lethal Ways to Control Pocket Gophers
Mounds of the Plains pocket gopher. Photo by Dallas Virchow.
Only three options exist for keeping pocket gophers out of your property without using traps or toxicants.
- The first is to remove all the
I recently noticed holes in my yard that are about 2 inches wide. What could be causing these?
There are many creatures that will create holes in lawns. As with all areas of pest control, it’s essential to know your target pest. Methods, materials, traps, baits, etc. vary widely from species to species. In this case it is …
How do you control a raccoon digging up pansies? Tulip bulbs?
Chances are, the raccoon is digging up the pansies or tulip bulbs in its search for grubs or other insects as a food source. Spraying the area with an insecticide may help alleviate the problem (you should always carefully read …
How do I stop crows from feeding in my nut trees?
You describe a major problem in the pecan industry—predation by birds. A major legal concern for management efforts is the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 that protects most bird species, including crows. There are similar state laws that …
Is it safe to use castor bean plants in a vegetable garden as a gopher deterrent?
It won’t deter pocket gophers, period. Neither will it deter moles, voles, chipmunks, or other ground squirrels. If you want more information on managing pocket gophers or other small mammals in your garden, visit the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage …
Is bougainvillea a deer-proof plant?
You can find some lists which state bougainvillea will not be browsed by deer, and others that say it will. What this discrepancy demonstrates is that there is no such thing as a 100% deer-proof plant. Different deer have different …
I have heard that mothballs will keep rabbits away. My question is whether it is safe to use them in my vegetable garden.
Mothballs are a registered pesticide and should be used according to the pesticide label instructions. The instructions for mothballs do not allow for outdoor use.
Mothballs tend to have one of two active ingredients: dichlorobenzene or naphthalene. Some products containing …
The lawn is dug up in areas leaving large but not deep holes, and the grass is dying. Could this be caused by skunks digging out grub worms for food? What can I do?
Skunks and raccoons often damage turf as they forage for grubs and other soil insects. Generally speaking, skunks dig precise holes. These holes are shallow and may be very numerous, they usually are not “large” (1.5 to 2 inches in …