Off the subject- need help on figuring out rodent

[CraigMo.]

1rst of all I live in Missouri. I have holes under my drive, walkway, and under the platform that holds my air conditioner. These holes are about golf ball size and there are paths to and from these in the yard. Never noticed paths till this winter when the grass is dorment. Last summer I thought they were toads. But still active in the winter, so cant be toads. Thought maybe chipmunks but I would of seen them by now and I think they would do more damage. Had a family of rabbits in yard last year, but the holes are to small to me. The only thing I can think of is mice and if so why wouldn't they just come on in the house? OUr house is new but I believe mice can get in anywhere. We have not seen mouse droppings in the house so far. Any people that might know what these critters could be please let me know. I am going to put mouse traps out soon but thought you all might be able to help.
Thanks Craig

[Louise Chambers]

How about moles?

[RC Moser]

If they small pushed up paths running everywhere you got moles. (goggle moles, Voles, and Gophers) If they are big mounds of dirt piled up every where you got gophers. either one are hard to get rid of. moles eat earth worms and other insects that live just under you turf. Gophers eat roots of plants (especially in you garden) flowers or veggies. They also like grubs (which also is almost impossible to get rid of. remove there food source and they will go elsewhere.

[CraigMo.]

Oooops! no ,I know moles and not moles. Thanks but keep trying please. Paths are above ground but in green grass you probably could not see the paths. I found paths this winter when grass dorment. Its like tunnels in the grass but have worn a path on dirt.

[AllenH]

Sounds like a ground squirrel. Thirteen-lined usually has no dirt piles and like to dig holes under cement or along foundations. Also could be a Vole but much smaller than a gopher.

Al

[John Miller]

I don't know what the water level is like there. Very damp areas sometimes have underground crayfish...they make little chimney vents around the holes sometimes. ...if higher ground, agree it's ground squirrels -- what I call chipmunks -- but would think you'd see them. Another idea..they are ground martins!

John

[CraigMo.]

Thanks for all your help. I googled voles and found a picture of paths of what a vole makes and I am betting its a vole (X100million of em). If its voles I bet I will need to get some professional company to get them. I have to read more on it. Voles makes since, they eat plants and stuff and we had some damage on our garden and some flowers last year. Thanks again.

[LNCummins]

shrew

[CraigMo.]

I will google shrew too!!!!

[gsimpson]

Craig,
From the description of the runs, I'd say they're voles. We get them in our yard here in Illinois all the time. I have had success getting rid of them using smoke bombs called "The Giant Destroyer." Simply light the fuse, shove down in their hole and cover best you can with dirt. The smoke fills the burrow and suffocates them. They work well with moles, too.
I get them at the local garden shop, but Lowes or Home Depot probably sells them too. It'd be worth a try and I guarantee they're cheaper than an exterminator! Hope this helps.

Gregg

[CraigMo.]

Thanks Gregg for the tips. I might have questions for you later on if need help. Have you ever seen one of these voles? I have not.

[Guest]

It is most likely a Dwarf Graboid, Lawn Gnome or a Grass Chupacabra. I'm thinking Dwarf Graboid most likely though.

[CraigMo.]

Nope they don't come that far south!!!!!

[AllenH]

The Voles we have here are generally called "Field Mice". The are light/medium brown and have short tails (about 1" long) with smaller ears than a House Mouse. They will come indoors if they can. I have caught a few over the years in my basement. They are active all year long. Over all look like a fat stretched out mouse and a more rolly polly look to them. Size varies from 3 to 5 inches overall. We have two varieties where I live. Very common and seldom seen unless you have a cat dragging them home. They were very numerous when this area of town was developed for housing out of farm fields.

Here's a link that may help you more. http://voles.com/Vole_Species.htm

Al

[gsimpson]

Yes, Craig, I have seen them. In the evening, I've seen the grass move as they scurry in their runs. Sometimes, you can kick them out of the run and disorient them. The ones I have in my yard are a little bigger than a mouse, have short rounded heads and stubby tails. I tried to catch them with snap traps (mouse) and was unsuccessful. The smoke bombs work the best.

[Peggy Riley]

And voles love to eat plastic gourds!!! We have voles, ugly little things. I stored my gourds on my front porch season before last and didn't think anything about it until I went to hang them. They had chewed several of them. Now I have to store them up in the air!! Guess they have to keep those teeth sharpened!
Peggy

[CraigMo.]

I have never seen them. I got the Giant destroyer today. Tomorrow I will try to smoke them out. I bet I have bunch of them. I hope they dont smell to bad when they are dead. Front walkway to our door has about 6 holes and 2to 3 paths. Driveway has some and air conditioner has some and possibly back yard corner might have some. Thanks again for all the tips.