What are these mounds? - Ask Extension
Greetings! My mother has these mounds throughout her yard and there at least 500 or more! She had a pest control company (Terminex) come and inspect ...
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What are these mounds? #222071
Asked December 08, 2014, 1:01 PM EST
Greetings!
My mother has these mounds throughout her yard and there at least 500 or more! She had a pest control company (Terminex) come and inspect it, who said they couldn't do anything about it. They told her to contact a landscaping company, that they would know more. Well, I work for a landscaping company. Some of the guys have said that it is caused from pill bugs, or crawfish. Yet due to the volcanic shape they could not be certain.
I would assume that a pest control company would have been able to recognize dirt manipulation caused by bugs or crawfish. The pellets that have been protruded through the grass are larger than most pill bugs. Can you settle the debate?
My mother has these mounds throughout her yard and there at least 500 or more! She had a pest control company (Terminex) come and inspect it, who said they couldn't do anything about it. They told her to contact a landscaping company, that they would know more. Well, I work for a landscaping company. Some of the guys have said that it is caused from pill bugs, or crawfish. Yet due to the volcanic shape they could not be certain.
I would assume that a pest control company would have been able to recognize dirt manipulation caused by bugs or crawfish. The pellets that have been protruded through the grass are larger than most pill bugs. Can you settle the debate?
Bexar County Texas
Expert Response
Hello,
What you are seeing is "Earthworm Castings".
These became very prominent after those well needed rains.
Sincerely,
David Rodriguez -Extension Horticulturist
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Bexar County
What you are seeing is "Earthworm Castings".
These became very prominent after those well needed rains.
Sincerely,
David Rodriguez -Extension Horticulturist
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Bexar County
Should the mounds just be raked out or left alone? What would be the solution here? Are the worms/ castings beneficial to the soil?
Hello,
Either way.
Yes, the castings are beneficial to the soil and the lawn will also benefit from the aeration properties.
David
Either way.
Yes, the castings are beneficial to the soil and the lawn will also benefit from the aeration properties.
David
