Although it can be difficult to control factors that impact the beauty and health of your lawn, such as weather and soil type, there are many things you can do. Here are some helpful tips and tricks from experts.

What's eating your lawn?

Rodents and other small animals that dig, burrow, or make a tunnel to find food or shelter can have a negative impact on the appearance and quality of your lawn. You can identify the type of critter that caused the damage and prevent them from returning. This may include one or several of the following:

Moles

Moles eat insects in your soil. They have long, pointed noses that can dig and forage underground and long, clawed limbs. You may see raised ridges or mounds of dirt on your lawn as they build their tunnels.

Voles

The size and appearance of voles are similar to that of field mice. However, they can be found near the surface eating a vegetarian diet consisting of leafy greens, root vegetables, and flower bulbs.

Skunks and Raccoons

Skunks and raccoons could be responsible for numerous holes in your garden or lawn. They are persistent in their search for grubs and can cause severe damage to your lawn as they tear up your garden in search of food.

Gophers

Pocket gophers may be living below ground if you see crescent- or horseshoe-shaped mounds in the earth. They eat mostly plants but may also eat sprinkler lines.

Ground Squirrels

They are similar to tree squirrels, but they live in underground burrows instead of in a tree den. They will eat leaves, twigs, and other organic material. You may have to be careful when navigating your property because of the large raised mounds.

Tips to Prevent Rodent Lawn Damage

These tips will help you to determine the source of the damage and take control of your outdoor environment.

• The search for grubs can cause lawn damage in the skunk. Crows and raccoons can also damage your lawn in their search for food. Grub control is the best way to prevent this. Keep your lawn thick and healthy. If necessary, use an insecticide.

• You can use humane traps to capture rodents or pests on your property.

• As a repellant to rodents such as rats, squirrels, and moles, you can scatter predator urine granules around your yard.

• The unpleasant, strong smell of ammonia may deter pests such as rabbits. Spray fencing with full strength or apply ammonia-soaked cloth at the entry points of your yard.

• Motion-activated security lights and sprinklers can be used to startle animals and send them running.

Rodents and other pests can be a sign of a healthy ecosystem.