skip to main content

What could this be ruining my lawn? pics

johnandmarybeth2000

13 years ago

I have what appears to be an animal peeling back my sod at night. I haven't been able to ID the critter so I'm not sure what it is or how to prevent it. We don't own animals and have a fully fenced yard so dogs are out. My likely suspects here in western Washington would be Racoon, Squirel, Possum, ???

My main problem is the prevention of this! I fix it and they tear it up. The animal is not nesecarily diging as much as peeling the sod back!

Solutions I've considered would be Chicken wire layed over top so I could remove it to mow.

http://picasaweb.google.com/johnandmarybeth2000/LawnProb#

Here is a link that might be useful: Lawn Prob pics

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

mike_home
13 years ago
Do you have grubs? Perhaps the animal is digging in search of finding them. In the northeast this happens with moles, but they are underground. The solution to get rid of moles is to kill the grubs. They eventually leave when the food supply no longer exists.
0
texas_weed
13 years ago
Are those holes or dead black grass. If black grass that looks like poisoned dead soil which is likely cause by something being spilled on the pavement like gasoline or oil.
0
Related Discussions
Rain is ruining my lawn!!
Q
Comments (1)
I renovated a little stand alone section of my backyard to begin with and we had a downpour 3 days later. 2 inches total! I slaved on that section to get the grade just perfect (1in every 10ft away from the house). I lost some seed along the edges too but on the bright side I now know the grade is good! :) I spread 1/4in peat moss over all the new seeds and that really seems to hold everything in place. You could try peat moss as a top dressing. A 3.8cu ft bale covers 192 sq.ft ($10/bale at Lowes)
...See More
What is wrong with my lawn- Pics Included.
Q
Comments (13)
If I'm going to water a full inch, I run 8 hours all at one shot. My hose timer only goes 2 hours, so I have to reset it or set an alarm on my phone to turn it off. I have another timer that will go the full 8 hours, but it needs batteries (sigh). Why are you aerating? Is your soil hard or are you doing it because everyone else is doing it? In either case you don't need to aerate. However if you were hoping to aerate and fill the holes with compost, then that's an okay excuse. If your soil is hard, then ask about shampoo. Black Kow compost, in the yellow bags, is usually good stuff. It has a little sand filler, but compared to the others, it's good. Good finished compost smells good and has no recognizable materials in it. You should not see leaves, sticks, or twigs. You'll see some, but you should not see a lot. Large chunks of material (mulch) should be screened out. Look around. You can likely get it cheaper in bulk from a materials supply. Look in the yellow pages for landscape supply or materials supply. People who sell rock and soil usually have compost of some form or another. Bulk corn meal or soybean meal comes from your local feed store (yes, there are some near you). Search Google Maps for "Feed stores near (your town here), NY" and it will give you the locations and list their phone numbers. Call first. Top dressing? Soil or compost? The only acceptable answer is compost. Top dressing with soil or sand will change your drainage. Unless you have a low spot that fills with water all the time, keep away from top soil. Compost works because it "evaporates" over time. It completely disappears and does not change the drainage.
...See More
My Lawn is Ruined, help!
Q
Comments (2)
looks like mole damage ... after the noted bugs. ... if you slice thru the tunnel ... you can tell the size of the hole.. which will help you determine the size of the little bugger .... your local Ag agent might be able to narrow down the list of possibilities ... you may be amazed how few caused this damage ... this is war... learn how to kill them.. or hire it out to a pest/animal control biz ... i will change my mind if the bigger picture gives more facts ... the alternative to trapping a few vermin.. is to use chemicals on your lawn to get rid of the food they are after ... for me it is easier to teach the kids to stay away from one trap .. than to keep them off the lawn for weeks at a time ... besides the fact the i would need truckfulls of such for 5 acres ... good luck ... ken
...See More
What is this weed?? It is ruining my lawn!
Q
Comments (3)
I'd say it was a Hawkbit, Leontodon species, rather than Dandelion. Same family. (Beware Google image when you check this. Many of the photos are mislabelled).
...See More
johnandmarybeth2000
Original Author
13 years ago
No black grass just holes dug at the edge of the patio. Almost if you had stood in the lawn, grabbed ahold of the sod and pulled it back!

What's the advised treatmeant for grubs. Could the animal also be after worms? I know there's a large presence of those...
0
mike_home
13 years ago
Scott's Grubex has worked for me for grub control. Is a granular products you apply with a broadcast spreader. It is too late to apply where I live, I assue it is the same in Washington.

I have not heard of animals digging for worms. It is possible some spilled somthing sweet on that spot? Perhaps the animal smells an odor.
0
DC0507
12 years ago
Hello John, did you ever determine what was causing your lawn to be peeled back? I am having the same problem.

Thank you.

Debbie
0
fruitjarfla
12 years ago
I think that those "animals" might not like mothballs scattered around.
0
morz8 - Washington Coast
12 years ago
Debbie, Johns November post was clearly showing raccoon damage. They will dig small round holes in sod, or as in his photo, peel sod back when 'hunting' at the edges along sidewalks, patios, beds. They love worms, nightcrawlers - both found in healthy moist soil. An ongoing problem in many PNW neighborhoods, including my own.
0
lawndivot12
12 years ago
hard for me to see the pictures but, if there are grubs, and roots dead to peel back the sod, look for moles tunneling under the sod and eating the roots.Sometimes when they are active younotice the earth moving. Lawndivot12
0

Related Stories

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: Modern Retreat Emerges From a 19th-Century Ruin

By Joanna Tovia

A contemporary country home builds on the remains of an abandoned 1860s homestead

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 15 Great Ideas for a Lawn-Free Yard

By Laura Gaskill

End the turf war for good with hardscaping, native grasses and ground covers that save water and are easier to maintain

SMALL SPACES Could You Live in a Tiny House?

By Laura Gaskill

Here are 10 things to consider if you’re thinking of downsizing — way down

EARTH DAY The Case for Losing the Traditional Lawn

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Work less, help the environment and foster connections by just saying no to typical turf

BEFORE AND AFTERS See 6 Yards Transformed by Losing Their Lawns

By Annie Thornton

Wondering whether a turf lawn is the best use of your outdoor space? These homeowners did, and they found creative alternatives

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden

By June Scott Design

New project for a new year: Lose the turfgrass for energy savings, wildlife friendliness and lower maintenance

FRONT YARD IDEAS Before and After: Front Lawn to Prairie Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

How they did it: Homeowners create a plan, stick to it and keep the neighbors (and wildlife) in mind

LANDSCAPE DESIGN California Says Goodbye to the Sprawling Ornamental Lawn

By Annie Thornton

New state rules will effectively limit turfgrass to 25 percent of the landscape in most new and renovated yards

MOST POPULAR Meet a Lawn Alternative That Works Wonders

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Carex can replace turfgrass in any spot, is low maintenance and adjusts easily. Add its good looks and you’ve got a ground cover winner

GARDENING GUIDES Small Gem Lawns: More Impact From Less Grass

By Carol Crotta

Instead of letting the lawn sprawl, make it a shapely design element in your yard. You’ll reap benefits both practical and aesthetic

Sponsored

More Discussions

Giardia Prevention Help

2

Every spring and fall with pre-emergent, but still lot weeds???

3

Plastic netting in lawn starter

3

Help for lawn in Zone 3! This is its second spring.

1

Lawn care Zone 3

2