BYGL Turf Tips April 24, 2008 MUD CHIMNEYS ARE RISING
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 Several BYGLers reported receiving phone calls concerning the nuisance handiwork of TERRESTRIAL or BURROWING CRAYFISH. There are several species of burrowing crayfish. Most belong to two genera: Cambarus and Fallicambarus. Like their aquatic cousins, these crayfish use gills to extract oxygen from water. Unlike their water-soaked cousins, burrowing crayfish spend most of their lives on land; however, their bluish color does not come from them holding their breath! They dig their burrows down to water so they have a ready source of oxygen. This connection to a high water table explains why most burrowing activity occurs in poorly drained soils near streams or shallow ditches. The crayfish throw soft mud up around their exit holes as they excavate the soil. These chimney-like structures may tower 3-5" above the soil surface presenting a real hazard to mowing. Indeed, hitting a brick-hard dried crayfish chimney with a mower dulls the blade and sends up a huge cloud of dust, often accompanied by a stream of expletives. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to directly control these crayfish. Pouring materials down the holes to kill the crayfish is strongly discouraged since the burrows extend down to ground water which could become contaminated. Management generally focuses on stomping or raking, patience, and habitat modification. The chimneys can be stomped or raked smooth prior to mowing. Patience focuses on recognizing that most of the crayfish's excavation activity occurs early in the season, and will subside as the season progresses. Habitat modification focuses on improving water drainage to lower the water table. This may involve lowering nearby drainage ditches. Patience and stomping may be combined by hunting the crayfish as they forage for food. The omnivorous crayfish leave their burrows at night to crawl across the ground in search of plant and animal food, living or dead. They are highly susceptible to a well-aimed foot as they range several feet from their burrows. BYGLers noted that burrowing crayfish are not the only subterranean creatures currently producing mud chimneys. As reported last week, parts of southern Ohio will soon experience the emergence of Brood XIV of the PERIODICAL CICADA (Magicicada spp.), and the nymphs are currently cleaning-out their burrows. The nymphs throw mud up around their exit holes producing miniature versions of the crayfish chimneys. Of course, cicada chimneys are much smaller, usually no more than 1" tall, and the holes are only around 1/4" in diameter. The diameters of the crayfish holes are greater than 1". For more information, see:
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 April 2008 18:11 ) |
