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Mysterious holes appearing - any clues?

Design BodDesign Bod Posts: 58
in Problem solving
We've had these small holes - possibly slim tunnels - appear in the garden recently and can't work out what's causing them. They're in the lawn (mainly) and also in the beds (often close up to a plant). The diameter ranges between 1-2". Can't quite see if they're tunnels or deep holes. Have sometimes found them in a row of two or three.
Don't think they're moles as no hills (had those before). We do have Green Woodpeckers who like to dig down for ants but think these are too deep for them.
Could they be shrews? 
Any clues gratefully appreciated.
Have included some photos (tip of shoe included for scale).

Thanks in advance.

Posts

  • Jules41Jules41 Posts: 178
    Looks like mice. I have sandy soil so mice find it really easy to dig tunnels. I watch them scurry in and out to pinch the sunflower seeds from the bird tables. Very cute! 
  • Design BodDesign Bod Posts: 58
    Thanks Jules41. We have heavy clay soil that's been baked v hard in this heat but that's clearly not putting them off!
  • Design BodDesign Bod Posts: 58
    Hmm, thanks. Should I let them continue to 'do their thing' / run riot or is one supposed to .. em .... humanely despatch garden mice?
  • Jules41Jules41 Posts: 178
    I've had them in my garden for the last 6 years. They never seem to increase in number. I see the odd one nibbling the bird seed but they are rarely seen.I think the crows and magpies get a few. Nature seems to find it's own balance. 🐁
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Another possibility would be bank voles. If you grow veg, they'll dig up pea and bean seeds and also sweetcorn, so any of those you need to start in modules. Other than that they aren't too much of a problem until they get in the greenhouse, where they become a real nuisance
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    We've got the same thing. As we're on a slope, with clay soil I believe it's voles, although I've never seen anything. One or two holes are very close to a double wall so I'm wondering if somehow they're nesting in the gap between. It could also be mice I suppose.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I have had odd holes/tunnels exactly like that appearing in grassy areas for some time and wondered what they were. Some of them are very close to the cat house - two inherited cats who live in the roof space of the garage, accessed from the upper terrace. If it is mice, the lazy so-and-sos! I must be feeding them too many cat biscuits!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Design BodDesign Bod Posts: 58
    Thanks everyone. So mice or voles sound most likely (or possibly shrews).

    @Jules41 - interesting to hear that you don't think numbers of yours have increased. If I knew this would always be the case I'd just let them get on with things but having read up, apparently mice mate regularly and have large broods :smile: 

    @Lizzie27 They might well be voles (not that we're anywhere near water - apart from a birdbath!) - as I've read that they like to burrow down beside plants and eat away at their roots or the bulb which is where I've seen holes too.

    I think we might fall through our garden soon if we have any more animals creating tunnel structures underneath - we've only just got rid of the second lot of moles who were causing havoc!

    (can any of you shed any light on my poorly Clematis post?)

    TTFN

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