Little holes in my lawn - Ask Extension
When the snow melted I noticed that there were a lot of little holes that are the size of a half dollar in my back yard. I’ve attached a photo. Do y...
Knowledgebase
Little holes in my lawn #553787
Asked April 16, 2019, 8:07 PM EDT
When the snow melted I noticed that there were a lot of little holes that are the size of a half dollar in my back yard. I’ve attached a photo. Do you have any ideas as to what this could be.
Marquette County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello!
Based on the timing and the extent of the damage, I suspect this is the result of vole activity. Voles don't hibernate. They tunnel and feed all winter long under the cover of snow. If the holes have a shallow flat bottom (not tunnel entrances), it may be the result of the feeding activity of squirrels or birds. In this case, it's likely that you would have seen the damage develop.
I'm attaching links to an article that describes some of the different critters that can cause hole damage. It was written for a warmer climate, but many of the culprits can be found here. I'm also attaching a link to an article with more information about voles.
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/holes-in-the-lawn/
https://ag.umass.edu/turf/fact-sheets/vole-damage-to-lawns
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/winter_damage_to_lawns_molds_moles_and_voles
Regards,
Based on the timing and the extent of the damage, I suspect this is the result of vole activity. Voles don't hibernate. They tunnel and feed all winter long under the cover of snow. If the holes have a shallow flat bottom (not tunnel entrances), it may be the result of the feeding activity of squirrels or birds. In this case, it's likely that you would have seen the damage develop.
I'm attaching links to an article that describes some of the different critters that can cause hole damage. It was written for a warmer climate, but many of the culprits can be found here. I'm also attaching a link to an article with more information about voles.
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/holes-in-the-lawn/
https://ag.umass.edu/turf/fact-sheets/vole-damage-to-lawns
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/winter_damage_to_lawns_molds_moles_and_voles
Regards,
