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Insect that mounds-tunnels #323731

Asked May 21, 2016, 4:51 PM EDT

Last couple years have noticed tunnels in soil. Tunnels not from small animals (squirrels, moles, gophers etc.). Have had small ant problems in last couple years also, so was assuming it was ants. Recently saw a small bee or fly burrowing, so wondering if it's bees instead of ants. No bee swarms, no ants present at this time. How can I determine which? If bees do I treat or leave alone? If ants what to use to treat?

Umatilla County Oregon

Expert Response

It appears that you have ant lions. http://www.asknature.org/strategy/b36deb67c39706f7f2c588b128df24ab
If these are naturally occurring and you did not excavate the holes then they are nothing to worry about. That would explain why your ant problem has disappeared...

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2016, 4:35 PM EDT

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