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What is digging up our strawberry bed?

jack.ljack.l Posts: 5
in Problem solving

What is burrowing in our flowerbeds?

Today, 11:34 AM
I hope I'm asking in the right place on here.
Any ideas what is digging these holes in our flower bed? Initially thought it was neighbours cat but on closer inspection the holes go down about a foot with other "tunnels" branching off. There are a few other holes at ground level very close by.
Hole in picture was dug last night after filling it in yesterday.
The neighbours cat does like to sit at entrance to these holes but have never seen it looking like it's about to pounce.
We're in totally residential area of Bristol. Terraced houses, back to back gardens.

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Could be any of voles, mice or rats.  A trail camera is so useful in identifying these things, otherwise try keeping a night vigil, if you can see the area from inside.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • jack.ljack.l Posts: 5
    Thanks Bob. I think I will invest in a trail camera. Here is a picture from inside a hole yesterday. 
  • foxwalesfoxwales Posts: 69
    I'd go with rats.  Avoid blood fish and bone if you use it, attracts them.
  • jack.ljack.l Posts: 5
    That's the answer I've been fearing. 
    I will set up a trail camera in the next few days and will hopefully have a definite answer. 
    If rats, will they go away if I completely dig out and destroy the burrow?
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Consider moles, too. It can be difficult to see mole hills in cultivated beds and the tunnels go a long way between hills so you don't always see the obvious evidence. At this time of year they are very active and will be tunnelling away under many gardens.
  • jack.ljack.l Posts: 5
    Our garden is not big so have checked everywhere and no sign of any mole hills. I will ask our closest neighbours if anything is happening in their gardens.
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    99% that is a rat burrow. Rather than dig out the burrows, are there any food sources? Bird table, compost bins, rubbish bins nearby? Rats nearly always go hand in hand with a food source of some kind.
  • jack.ljack.l Posts: 5
    edited May 2020
    Nothing at all in our garden but can't speak for our neighbours. All rubbish, waste etc goes to bins in the front gardens as nobody has back access here.
  • foxwalesfoxwales Posts: 69
    You can destroy the tunnels, but they will just dig more if they are using your garden as a thorough fare.  Avoid using anything that may be attracting them, like bird seed, blood fish and bone fertiliser, anything cooked going in composters.  
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