Despite my current obsession with squirrels (and the name of this blog) this blog is actually supposed to be about my struggles against all kinds of urban wildlife — and, indeed, all the other obstacles of life. Squirrels are just a metaphor. Get it?
Anyway, in the spirit of this diversity of purpose, I bring you a mystery. Something has been digging up the turf around the side of our house. I put this turf here last spring when I dug up part of the lawn to put in a patio and walkway. Most of the turf took really nicely and covered a patch of mostly weeds, but the grass closest to the house has not taken. Since I put it in, this turf has been turned over on a fairly regular basis. Now this could be more squirrel activity (SQUIRRELS!!) as they may be digging up nuts that they have hidden for later. Or it could be raccoons, skunks, or something else that likes eating the roots of the turf or the worms and other creepy crawlies beneath the surface.
Here’s a picture. Let me know if you have any theories of what is causing this damage and what I can do to prevent it.
mystery pest
My first guess would be skunks. But it could also be oppossums, racoons, or any number of animals. http://www.cobrapest.com
Great Blog! I love the Joe vs ???? I orginally thought you were blogging on Joe as in Pest Pro Joe. Oh well.
As far as your pest goes. It appears to have larger claw prints then that of a squirrel. Skunks often dig for grubs, and if its new turf you could have brought some grubs in with it.
Check and see if you there are any white larvae in the soil.
-Thos