What is Damaging My Lawn

[T.Wells]

Hello,

I just went out to walk the yard since it has become a little warmer here is SE PA. I noticed something distrubing on the back of my yard near the small wooded area. Something is destroying my lawn pretty quickly. I did not see this much damage when I was back there a month ago and was hoping that someone could help ID the cause based on some pictures.

Here are some shots that I took.

http://home.comcast.net/~wellst/Close_to_tree.JPG

Thanks,
T.Wells

[T.Wells]

Take a look:

http://home.comcast.net/~wellst/Close_Up_2.JPG

and

http://home.comcast.net/~wellst/Close_Up_Bad.JPG

and

http://home.comcast.net/~wellst/Tree_Roots_Exposed.JPG

and

http://home.comcast.net/~wellst/Patchy.JPG

finally

http://home.comcast.net/~wellst/Patchy2.JPG

TIA,
T.Wells

[gqnine44]

Looks like moles to me dude

[John Gamba]

Looks like moles to me dude


Moles eating grubs big time

[T.Wells]

Okay,

I had the same feeling about them being moles. I didn't know that they were eating grubs though.

It sounds like moles are hard to kill/trap, true? Should I attack the moles or the grubs or maybe both? It sounds like I have a big time battle on my hands here. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
T.Wells

[John Gamba]

Okay,

I had the same feeling about them being moles. I didn't know that they were eating grubs though.

It sounds like moles are hard to kill/trap, true? Should I attack the moles or the grubs or maybe both? It sounds like I have a big time battle on my hands here. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
T.Wells



Merit :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

[T.Wells]

Merit :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:

I read that Merit should be applied in June or July. In my case should I be applying it now anyway?

Thanks,
T.Wells

[Prolawnservice]

Moles will eat and are attracted by more then grubs. Once they find a home they are hard to get rid of, However Talprid seems to work well to get rid of them.:walking:

[John Gamba]

I read that Merit should be applied in June or July. In my case should I be applying it now anyway?

Thanks,
T.Wells


No. if you are still in winter or in my area. You ask questions like your a qualified person in this Field????????

[sheshovel]

This is a trick question right?Or a joke?

[T.Wells]

You ask questions like your a qualified person in this Field????????

Please explain further or were you just being sarcastic?

Should I
1. Trap/kill the moles and apply Merit now (remember, I said that I am in Southeastern PA).
2. Trap/kill the moles and apply Merit in June as directed.

Thanks,
T.Wells

[1MajorTom]

This is a trick question right?Or a joke?
Why do you ask that?

[1MajorTom]

Merit has a 3 month residual effect to give long-term control. Since white grub larvae hatch out in late July or early August, plan to apply Merit in late June or early July. That way it will already be in the soil when the insects begin feeding. If applied according to the label directions and with the right timing, Merit will give 95% white grub control. If Merit is applied in mid to late August when turf damage from grub feeding is noticed, and when traditional grub control products have been applied, it will not give satisfactory results.

[John Gamba]

Please explain further or were you just being sarcastic?

Should I
1. Trap/kill the moles and apply Merit now (remember, I said that I am in Southeastern PA).
2. Trap/kill the moles and apply Merit in June as directed.

Thanks,
T.Wells


You type like you know the answer already. But i could be wrong

[JWTurfguy]

Jodi is giving out the right info on Merit, but Merit probably isn't going to take care of your problem. Do a little more research on moles...

90% of a mole's diet is earthworms. Just shy of 10% is grubs. So the idea of wiping out the grubs in order to remove their food source is kind of a stretch...As long as you have worms (which you want to have) the moles are gonna be eating.

Use Talpirid to get rid of the moles. It's cheaper than a bag of Merit, and it works. Call your local LESCO rep and they'll be happy to show you how it works. So far, it's the onlly product out there that's actually been proven to consistently kill moles (the other stuff out there basically makes them sick, hopefully repelling them, etc). I've heard a few guys say that they had good luck with traps, but so far I haven't heard anyone say anything negative about Talpirid (except for those who admitted to improperly using it).

[John Gamba]

Jodi is giving out the right info on Merit, but Merit probably isn't going to take care of your problem. Do a little more research on moles...

90% of a mole's diet is earthworms. Just shy of 10% is grubs. So the idea of wiping out the grubs in order to remove their food source is kind of a stretch...As long as you have worms (which you want to have) the moles are gonna be eating.

Use Talpirid to get rid of the moles. It's cheaper than a bag of Merit, and it works. Call your local LESCO rep and they'll be happy to show you how it works. So far, it's the onlly product out there that's actually been proven to consistently kill moles (the other stuff out there basically makes them sick, hopefully repelling them, etc). I've heard a few guys say that they had good luck with traps, but so far I haven't heard anyone say anything negative about Talpirid (except for those who admitted to improperly using it).




I got rid of this type problem with merit. Its a coast effective way to start.

[T.Wells]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the help and advice. I have to head to Lesco anyway to get ready for my spring fert application (and will also pick up Merit) so I will ask about Talprid while I am there. I have also read good things about it here on LawnSite.com

I have read the MoleMan.com's site and already purchased a few of the Victor Spear traps that he recommends. I plan on trying to trap a few moles until I get to Lesco later in the week.

I closed up a few holes yesterday afternoon to check for activity and they have not be reopened as of yet. The temperature is going to get close to 70 this weekend here in Philly so I may see some action.

John, I don't intend to sound like I already know the answer to my question and I am by no means an expert in this area. I am only a homeowner looking for some help from the real pro's so that I can DIY my property. Sorry to sound that way in my post(s).

I really appreciate the guidance and advice.

Thanks again,
T.Wells

[John Gamba]

Hey Guys,



John, I don't intend to sound like I already know the answer to my question and I am by no means an expert in this area. I am only a homeowner looking for some help from the real pro's so that I can DIY my property. Sorry to sound that way in my post(s).

I really appreciate the guidance and advice.

Thanks again,
T.Wells


Cool. I had a golf course front yard in my last house. I had big time moles that where really getting under my skin. I got merit and a good bug killer and applied both and the moles would go from next door and follow the foundation to get to the other side of the house where the feeding was good. I told the moles i would not bother them as long as they stayed under the mulch and not under the grass. It worked.

Please let us know how you make out. John



Oh here is a pic of the mole damage at my front door.

[T.Wells]

hehe, great work John.

I had to take some time to look for the mole holes as I was really enamored with your great looking stripes. I hope to have some nice stripes myself this year (out front of course).

I will follow up and let everyone know about my progress.

T.Wells

[John Gamba]

hehe, great work John.

I had to take some time to look for the mole holes as I was really enamored with your great looking stripes. I hope to have some nice stripes myself this year (out front of course).

I will follow up and let everyone know about my progress.

T.Wells


Please do its very important to everybody:waving:

[sheshovel]

wELL RAKE ALL THAT CRAP OFF THE LAWN FIRST WHAtever you do sir!

[John Gamba]

wELL RAKE ALL THAT CRAP OFF THE LAWN FIRST WHAtever you do sir!



Up from your nap:laugh:

[sheshovel]

How did you know I was sleeping today?Do you have a secret webcam in my bedroom sir?

[John Gamba]

How did you know I was sleeping today?Do you have a secret webcam in my bedroom sir?

No need to

[T.Wells]

Well, I think that my problem was actually squirrels. I was much more attentive to the activity in my lawn and I have noticed that they have been digging up nuts that were all over my lawn in the late fall.

Also, my landscaper thought that it may have been a skunk. I told him that I've never seen a skunk around my house. Well, low and behold, my neighbor tells me the other day there was a skunk hanging around the neighborhood during the winter months.

Whatever the problem was, it has stopped. I have noticed any additional damage and repair of the problem areas has been completed. I will have the newly cleared and repaired areas seeded tomorrow with rain expected all weekend here in the Philly area.

-T.Wells

[John Gamba]

Also, my landscaper thought that it may have been a skunk. -T.Wells



Great news:waving: They eat Grubs. Good luck:usflag:

[upidstay]

This does NOT look like moles to me. It looks like frost heaves on bare dirt from something that killed the grass. I see no mole tunnels, and they are usually pretty distinct, being about 3-6 inches wide and 1 to 5 inches high. What killed your grass is anybody's guess. I would just aerate and overseed.