Burrowing animal - Ask Extension
Last year we had two chipmunk holes in our yard. This spring we filled in both holes, knowing that if they were part of a still active run they would...
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Burrowing animal #120350
Asked April 06, 2013, 5:53 PM EDT
Last year we had two chipmunk holes in our yard. This spring we filled in both holes, knowing that if they were part of a still active run they would be re-opened. That would at least tell us what we needed to do before we began our vegetables. When I checked the area Thursday the hole was not 1.5 inches wide. It was 7 inches wide!!! And it had a second hole of equal size adjacent to it...like alternate entries to the same run. Dirt was scattered widely, and we can see the mound of a run along side our house. What in the world is this? And, more importantly, what do we do about it?
Polk County Iowa
Expert Response
Now that's a mystery! I'd say it was groundhog, but generally their holes are 4-6" wide. I know that they've just become active again. Do you have any pictures? I'd need to know a little more to be able to give you a better answer. If you'd like to explore this further, please contact me directly by phone or email. Thanks!
As a matter of fact I DID take a picture, with a yardstick lying alongside the two holes. It is in my camera at home, so I will send you a copy later today.
Excellent! Look forward to seeing it!
Rebecca
Rebecca
I decided to take some different pictures, even though the area around the two holes has collapsed a bit. I hope this is helpful. The first shows the measurement across one hole, with our deck skirting in the background. The second shows how deep I was able to set the yardstick. And the third shows the side of our house. I know you can't see the mound of the run, but it weaves along about two feet from the basement the entire length of the house.
Given the size of the actual holes that are down below the surface, it appears to be smaller than a woodchuck. My guess is chipmunk that has discovered that you've done some filling in, and has decided to re-open the rrun that it had. You could try to get a look at the animal to see it. If it's a chipmunk, it will be up and active pretty early in the morning. We have one right along our house, and we hear it early in the morning now. It makes a loud, "cluck" like sound to announce its presence to other chipmunks in the area. You might be able to use an area repellent, something with an active ingredient of either egg solids or predator urine, that is applied near the holes leading to the run to get the animal to move. I don't know how successful that will be, particularly if the animal has been using the area for some time. The other option is to set a live trap near the openings to the run, baiting it with peanut butter and oats. You may be able to live trap the animal and move it from the area. Please contact me directly by phone or email if you have further questions about this animal and the evidence of its presence that you've discovered.
