Eigenvector wrote:
"willshak" wrote in message
...
on 8/12/2007 3:06 PM Eigenvector said the following:
Are these anthills/holes in my sideyard? I'd love to get rid of them and
stop the invasion of moles in my yard. Presumably the moles are looking
for the insects.

http://photos.imageevent.com/eigenve...e/P8120119.JPG


They look rather large. Too big for ants, too small for mammals. No dirt
piles around the holes. Too many, too close to each other, to be openings
to a nest.
My guess would be Japanese Beetles, Locusts, Cicadas, or similar. Their
nymphs buried in the ground coming to the surface before moulting into
adults. Look for discarded skins nearby.

--

Bill

I probably should qualify this with a location. This is Seattle. That
pretty much rules out Cicadas and Locusts. But I was wondering about the
size of the holes, and the proximity. Seems unusual for ants or bees to be
so close together. Hadn't considered it to be a beetle hole. Thing is
about the holes, I filled them in after a particularly vigorous rainstorm
and they came right back two days later looking like someone had placed them
with a drill bit. Japanese Beetles maybe??




Dig a spadeful of dirt and break it up on the groung. If its beetles,
there should be pupae or grubs still in the ground. First, though, make
sure it isn't bees. Just watch for a little while. No bees? Then dig.