Q I've noticed several small round holes, about the size of a half-dollar, in the dirt near our foundation. Are these garter snake holes? How can we tell? If we fill them up, will the snakes go away?
A Snakes don't dig their own holes. Sometimes, however, they use holes dug by other animals. Identifying the culprit can be difficult. Here are some tips:
If you see burrows (usually shallow) with no soil piled near the entrance, here's the likely culprit and what you'll see:
An eastern chipmunk: 2-inch entrance near stone walls, rock gardens or foundations, in brush, open woods or gardens.
A 13-lined ground squirrel: 2-inch or less entrance in open areas with short grass.
A meadow vole: 1- to 1 1/2-inch entrance in open areas with heavy vegetation.
A shrew: 1-inch entrance in open areas or woodlands, with a tunnel just under the duff. (Some shrew species may appropriate vole burrows and runs, and several may occupy one burrow system.)
A Norway rat: 2- to 3-inch entrance near or under buildings, wood piles, shrubbery or rubbish and near a dependable water source (stream, sewer, toilet, etc.). Several rats may occupy one burrow system.
