Knowledgebase
Lawn Issues #878005
Asked July 20, 2024, 10:47 AM EDT
I have started seeing "trenches" for lack of a better term in my front and back yards. Probably a couple inches deep and going in length from 15" to 28". I am fairly certain they are caused by some rodent. How do I get rid of them?
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Good Morning Terry,
Thank you for contacting Ask Extension. You have described trenches in your yard 15 to 28 inches long and suspect they are caused by a rodent. From your description you may have voles in your yards. I am sending a couple of fact sheets which describe how to determine the species of small burrowing animals in our area by looking at the burrows and damage plus how to manage voles in Colorado.
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/natural-resources/managing-voles-in-colorado-6-507/
If you decide to use a poisonous rodenticide please carefully read all the fact sheet and label directions and take steps to keep children, pets and wildlife from accessing the poison which can be harmful to off target species. Personal protective equipment may be needed by the applicator also.
In case you decide you have gophers, I have included a fact sheet about how to manage pocket gophers.
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/natural-resources/managing-pocket-gophers-6-515/
Regards,
Barbara S.
El Paso County Colorado Master Gardener
