damage to my grass

Question: I have a tiny patch of grass lawn in the city, neighborhood of Mt. Adams, Cincinnati. I watered the grass in what I thought to be adequate to deal with our summer drought. I do not use much at all in the way of chemicals - pesticides, weed killer, fertilizer - trying to be chemical free.  Over the past 6-8 weeks, the lawn has been destroyed - it appears almost to have been plowed up.  It began as a few small "holes" about 2 inches wide and 1-2 inches deep, scattered around. Gradually progressed and now - There is literally no grass remaining. We do have ground hogs & opossums in the area, but I have not seen raccoons in a very long while.  From the photos attached, do you have any idea what might have caused this damage?  My flower beds, which are well-mulched, seem to have digging activity lately, also.  Thank you.

responder: David Sprague  Replied October 15, 2024, 11:10 AM EDT
response: Glenda, something has made a mess of your yard. Yard damage like this is caused by moles or voles or grubs. Moles dig tunnels just below the surface, leaving raised ridges and mounds of dirt (molehills). Their tunneling can uproot grass and disturb the lawn’s appearance. They are searching for earthworms, grubs, and other soil invertebrates. Voles create small surface tunnels that leave behind pathways or “runways” of dead grass. They chew on roots and bulbs, leading to dying patches in the lawn. They feed on vegetation, roots and seeds. Grubs (the larvae of beetles like Japanese beetles or chafer beetles) feed on grassroots, causing large brown patches that can be easily lifted because the roots are destroyed. Grubs are more likely to cause lawn damage in the spring and early summer.  From the photo it looks like there are tunnels and molehills in your yard which are characteristic signs of moles. So I suspect moles are causing the problem. Moles can be controlled using repellants, baits or traps. I am including a factsheet on moles which describes their activities and controls in more detail. Sometimes both moles and voles are present at the same time so I am also sending a factsheet on voles. Also with moles once they have exhausted their food supply in a yard they will move on. If you use a pesticide to control them please read and follow the directions on the label for effectiveness and safety.  It is probably too late in the year for traditional reseeding of your yard.  But there is a practice called dormant seeding (seeing over winter) which might be something for you to consider.  It gets the grass started sooner next spring.  Look over the factsheet and see if it might be a fit for you.  And one more factsheet on the best trufgrass types for Ohio (yeah we like factsheets). You can take the turfgrass sheet to a garden center to get a good seed mix for your area. Thank you for using Ask Extension. Moles Voles Dormant Deeding Turfgrass for Ohio

responder: The Question Asker Replied October 21, 2024, 8:07 PM EDT
response: Thank you for this information. Thinking back - it seems like, in spite of my watering the grass during the drought, it died out anyway, & now I wonder if that was due to some insect that killed it from underneath. The damage I'm seeing is severe - as I mentioned, my little lawn appears to have been "plowed up" from underneath - I really don't like the idea of chemicals, but in addition to winter seeding, should I apply some type of pesticide to the area?  I don't want to harm wildlife or pollinators.  Also - whatever is causing all this problem is INVISIBLE!  I check the area during daytime & also after dark, & I've never seen a rodent or anything!  And - now in the bordering plant/flower beds which are mulched, I am seeing digging around.  Never experienced ANYTHING like this before! Thank you -

responder: Merry T If you would like to learn more, please check out these resources. Tell us what you think, take a short survey HERE  Replied October 27, 2024, 8:22 AM EDT
response: Yes, the culprits would be invisible as they are under the grass.  Don't use any pesticides this fall, but use the appropriate preventative (bt or milky spore) or pesticide next spring/summer to get rid of the grubs the moles are feeding on.

responder: The Question Asker Replied October 31, 2024, 11:09 PM EDT
response: Can I get a sample of the soil tested? If so - how do I do that? Thank you

responder: Merry T If you would like to learn more, please check out these resources. Tell us what you think, take a short survey HERE  Replied November 01, 2024, 2:45 PM EDT
response: For soil test information (how to do it, cost, etc.) contact your county extension office.   2055 Reading Road, Suite 500 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202  PH:<personal data hidden>