Dirt Piles - Ask Extension
Could you tell me what could be causing random dirt piles in my yard?
There is no obvious hole in or around the dirt piles. We had like 15 of them b...
Knowledgebase
Dirt Piles #860303
Asked March 02, 2024, 12:01 PM EST
Could you tell me what could be causing random dirt piles in my yard?
There is no obvious hole in or around the dirt piles. We had like 15 of them back in Dec 2023 and removed the piles of dirt and now again in March 2024 we have 8 more piles.
Alpena County Michigan
Expert Response
I believe you have star nosed moles tunneling around underground in your yard. They leave a mound of dirt as a sign of their presence. Their favorite foods are earthworms and insect larvae. Star nosed moles tunnel deeper than eastern moles so trapping is not as effective for control. MSU recommends poison bait shaped like earthworms.
More info in the attached links:
Moles in the Lawn-MSU
https://extension.psu.edu/moles
https://blogs.cornell.edu/nysipm/2020/10/14/dealing-with-mole-problems-in-turfgrass/
https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/files/moles.pdf
Controlling Moles, Racoons & Skunks - MSU
More info in the attached links:
Moles in the Lawn-MSU
https://extension.psu.edu/moles
https://blogs.cornell.edu/nysipm/2020/10/14/dealing-with-mole-problems-in-turfgrass/
https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/files/moles.pdf
Controlling Moles, Racoons & Skunks - MSU
