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Rodents are the largest type of pest that ruin lawns in Visalia and surrounding areas. The size of these pests allows them to quickly create significant damage in your yard. It can be extremely frustrating to walk outside and see that a rodent has been active in your yard and created unsightly damage. Four common rodents that cause problems for lawns in Visalia and surrounding areas include moles, voles, gophers, and squirrels.

Moles

If you look out on your lawn and see fresh mounds of dirt or raised ridges, you likely have a problem with moles. Moles eat grubs, earthworms, and insects that they find in the soil of your lawn. Moles do not eat the roots of your grass but they do cause damage to the root system as they tunnel through in search of food. Not only do moles leave unsightly mounds of dirt and ridges, but they can also eventually cause your grass to die or become unhealthy because of their activity.

Voles

People often confuse voles with moles but these pests display different behaviors from one another. These animals are herbivores and spend their time eating away at your grass, roots, bark, and other plants. As this type of rodent moves through your yard, it will eat at the roots of your grass along the way. Voles often leave small holes throughout the yard but do not create mounds like moles. This rodent can kill off large areas of your lawn as it eats away at the roots of your grass.

Gophers

Gophers – like voles – eat roots, grass, bark, bulbs, and other pants. They are attracted to healthy lawns and tend to make messes out of what was once beautiful grass. Gophers can leave mounds of dirt but they are shaped differently than the mounds moles leave behind. Gopher mounds take on a horseshoe shape. The damage that gophers cause occurs both below and on the surface of your lawn.

Squirrels

Squirrels are not always considered a pest by homeowners. The reality is that they can cause damage – especially if you are working to improve the health of your lawn. Squirrels are busy and can dig holes in your yard, damage plants, and gnaw on bark and wood furniture. Squirrels can also cause problems if you enjoy having a bird feeder out in your yard.
Each one of the rodents outlined above can cause serious issues in your yard. The fact that these rodents are always on the move – and often spend time underground – makes them difficult to eliminate on your own. The quickest and most effective way to get rodents out of your Visalia lawn is to bring in professional help. The pros at The Experienced Gardener have the tools and expertise to get the job done.