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Subterranean Villains

The long winter’s snow cover created the perfect opportunity for four legged vandals to wreak havoc on homeowner’s lawns and shrubs. We have received many inquiries on how to get rid of these little critters. Identifying the enemy is necessary before any plans to combat the offenders can be carried out. The burrowing mammals of Illinois include woodchucks, moles, chipmunks and voles. Each varmint causes unique chaos in the turf and garden areas.

Identification
Woodchucks are the largest mammal in the group. They are brown in color with a bushy tail, the woodchucks are vegetarians and typically weigh 25-40 pounds. One woodchuck can wipe out an entire garden. These pests are especially fond of herbs, tomatoes, strawberries, impatiens, pansies and petunias. They tend to dig wide burrow openings up to 12 inches across and pile mounds of dirt alongside. The gaping holes are not only unsightly but can be hazardous for people to walk. Eastern Moles are insectivores that eat grubs, earthworms, and underground dwelling insects. Because moles remain beneath the ground, you may never see one. When they feed, however, they push up the sod creating ridges.

Voles are larger than a house mouse; they have blackish fur, blunt faces and short tails. They live in burrows in the soil and feed on plant roots, stems, leaves, and seeds. These pests come from a natural habitat of grasslands and meadows. Voles inflict damage on lawns by chewing the turf and creating surface runways through the soil. They will also gnaw through bark and girdle trees and shrubs. Voles can reproduce several times a year and are one of the hardest burrowing mammals to control. Eastern Chipmunks prefer forested areas. They are typically 5-6 inches long with a 3 inch hairy tail. These little pests have orange-brown fury bodies with stripes down their backs. They burrow under rocky areas and can cause stone walls to topple. They like to eat bird seed and spring bulbs. They will also attack garden vegetables and insects.

Solutions
When the enemy has been identified, the question becomes how to get rid of them. The biggest problem for homeowners is that there aren’t any simple answers or easy cures. Part of the problem is that people have moved into areas that these creatures once freely inhabited. There are several methods that can be used as deterrents. When moles are the problem, you will need to go out every day and wale on top of the runways. Treating the lawn for grubs will also help curtail the population. To ward off chipmunks and voles, fill up the holes and runs with dirt. Bird feeders should be removed. There are also proven chemical products available to eliminate burrowing mammals. Homemade deterrents include pet-fur, chewing gum, and children’s toy pinwheels stuck in the ground. None of the homemade remedies have been proven to work. Just like any critter you may encounter on your property, creating an uninviting environment is the first step in getting rid of these pests.

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