Problem with sandhill cranes and my lawn

[NancyEH]

We have been in the villages for 3 years. We had to replace our large lawn a year ago because sandhill cranes invading and pulled our lawn apart. Now they are back and seem to come very early morning, tearing up our lawn again. Have place fake owls our there, doesn't help. We know they are protected. Welcome any suggestions that work. See all sorts of stuff on Amazon but don't want to waste time and money. HELP

[CarlR33]

I was going to ask what is attracting them to your yard vs. the neighbors so I did a quick search. See about mid section. Maybe activate your sprinklers and see if that helps get them out of the routine?
Are sandhill cranes destroying my lawn? - Birdful (https://www.birdful.org/are-sandhill-cranes-destroying-my-lawn/)

[Altavia]

Try one of these motion sensing sprinklers.

https://a.co/d/766jNYg

[justjim]

They usually come into a residential area because somebody is feeding them. See if you can find the culprit.

[biggamefish1]

Set mouse traps out to stop them, lol just kidding. You have critter bugs in your lawn they are foraging on. Up your bug extermination to control this.

[tophcfa]

As stated, they are forging for bugs in your lawn. They do the same thing on our lawn. Oh well, let them eat the bugs. I’d rather have them tear up the lawn than put chemicals down and watch our dog get cancer.

[Miboater]

You probably have a lot of grubs in your lawn and that's what they are feeding on. Putting down a preventative like GrubX would help in the future but now all you can do is scare the cranes off.

[ThirdOfFive]

We have been in the villages for 3 years. We had to replace our large lawn a year ago because sandhill cranes invading and pulled our lawn apart. Now they are back and seem to come very early morning, tearing up our lawn again. Have place fake owls our there, doesn't help. We know they are protected. Welcome any suggestions that work. See all sorts of stuff on Amazon but don't want to waste time and money. HELP
Those fake owls (if you're talking about the ones that just sit there and look grim) don't work. I know: I have a pretty extensive patio garden and for the first year or two keeping the critters (rabbits, squirrels, various birds) away was an ongoing battle. When I ended up doing was getting a kinetic owl, mounted on a stake near the patio. "Kinetic" because the wings move whenever there's a breeze. Pest problem down to almost zero.

It doesn't have to be an owl, by the way. It can be any one of several birds of prey. I saw a kinetic osprey that was pretty impressive.

[Velvet]

No! I love those birds! They are graceful as ballet dancers, and purr when they are in flight. Send them over to Mallory! My place.

[NotGolfer]

They're an issue for farmers, up north! I for one would try a non-violent way to scare them off.

[Topspinmo]

Cherry bomb! 😄

Cherry bombs, M80s, and silver salutes was outlaws in late 60’s.

[Topspinmo]

They're an issue for farmers, up north! I for one would try a non-violent way to scare them off.

Framers have bulldozed most forests in Midwest. But, who cares about flyover states?

[clekr]

You have mole crickets. That is what they eat. Get rid of the mole crickets and you'll get rid of them. Talk to someone at any of the ACE HDWE.

[fdpaq0580]

No! I love those birds! They are graceful as ballet dancers, and purr when they are in flight. Send them over to Mallory! My place.

Love 'em, except when they walk the streets.
"Purr"? And they seem dumb as a post with very little response when threated by cars ot carts.
Bird brains. That is a very appropriate term.
🫣🤭

[Nevinator]

You likely have grubs or some other insect infestation. Get rid. Of the grubs and the birds will be gone. Years ago, living in Texas, I had a similar problem with armadillos tearing up my lawn. Treated for bugs and grubs and the problem disappeared. Good luck.

[RoadToad]

I like you style! Waste not, want not!
Actually, I wonder what they would taste like? Passenger Pigeon is good. Spotted owl, tough and gamey. 🙂🙃🫠😉

Our farm families in the sandhills of NE Colorado did eat them in the 40's and 50's. As well as Antelope and jackrabbit and rattlesnake.
Food was scarce during the war.
At that time every low spot in the terrain was a pond due to high aquifer and Cranes summered there in the thousands.
No ponds now; irrigation came along and pumped the aquifer down too much. As I recall, the meat was tough and stringy.

[mlmarr]

We have been in the villages for 3 years. We had to replace our large lawn a year ago because sandhill cranes invading and pulled our lawn apart. Now they are back and seem to come very early morning, tearing up our lawn again. Have place fake owls our there, doesn't help. We know they are protected. Welcome any suggestions that work. See all sorts of stuff on Amazon but don't want to waste time and money. HELP

Depends on where your living, the Cranes were there first, so much natural land has been destroyed for homes, the animals are confused... cranes are probably nesting..

[midiwiz]

We have been in the villages for 3 years. We had to replace our large lawn a year ago because sandhill cranes invading and pulled our lawn apart. Now they are back and seem to come very early morning, tearing up our lawn again. Have place fake owls our there, doesn't help. We know they are protected. Welcome any suggestions that work. See all sorts of stuff on Amazon but don't want to waste time and money. HELP

if you get rid of your lawn critters that are ruining your lawn from underneath the sandhills will stop.

[ThirdOfFive]

Love 'em, except when they walk the streets.
"Purr"? And they seem dumb as a post with very little response when threated by cars ot carts.
Bird brains. That is a very appropriate term.
🫣🤭
Dumb? Maybe "fearless" is a better descriptor.

Some time back we were playing on an executive course when a member of our foursome hit a drive that ended up not too far from a group of 3-4 sandhill cranes. When he went to hit his second shot, the cranes wouldn't move. he tried yelling, waving his club, etc. He finally ran towards them waving his arms. One of the cranes reciprocated, jumping high in the air (maybe 10 feet) and flapping it's wings at the guy. His wife, also in our foursome, was charmed by the bird's actions. "Look", she said, "it wants to play!"

"Nope", I replied. "I think it is saying "get the hell off my golf course!"

[Altavia]

Living with Sandhill Cranes | FWC (https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/sandhill-cranes/)

"A string mounted on stakes about 2.5 feet off the ground will provide an exclusion "fence" around the parts of homes (lawn, window or pool screens) that are being damaged by cranes."

[MikeN]

Get rid of the insects they are forging for. Yup, you got bugs

[RRGuyNJ]

Framers have bulldozed most forests in Midwest. But, who cares about flyover states?

Keep that in mind when you eat your next meal. Beef, Pork, Poultry, Vegetables, it all comes from farmers. Thank you to all the farmers out there!

[Remembergoldenrule]

After making sure pests in yard under control, try these thousands of ratings and five stars.
Orbit 58573N H2O-6 Gear Drive Sprinkler (Sprinkler on Spike)

[OhioBuckeye]

We have been in the villages for 3 years. We had to replace our large lawn a year ago because sandhill cranes invading and pulled our lawn apart. Now they are back and seem to come very early morning, tearing up our lawn again. Have place fake owls our there, doesn't help. We know they are protected. Welcome any suggestions that work. See all sorts of stuff on Amazon but don't want to waste time and money. HELP

Get used to it you live in the south!

[mkoss]

We have been in the villages for 3 years. We had to replace our large lawn a year ago because sandhill cranes invading and pulled our lawn apart. Now they are back and seem to come very early morning, tearing up our lawn again. Have place fake owls our there, doesn't help. We know they are protected. Welcome any suggestions that work. See all sorts of stuff on Amazon but don't want to waste time and money. HELP

We had the same issue when we bought 6 years ago. Massey guy identified mole crickets down below that sand cranes were digging for. Interesting demo. He poured a bucket of water on the spot where they were digging. Two minutes later, the mole crickets emerged from below. A couple treatments took care of the issue.

[NancyHolewin]

All, I appreciate the various responses to my question. Some VERY amusing. No, I don't want to kill them and I do appreciate their grace, just not on my lawn. We already paid over $6000 for this new lawn and don't want to do it again. We already have a company treating the lawn for grubs and mole crickets, for several months now. Have ordered a motion detected sprinkler system which may help. Our present sprinkler system does not help so something more powerful may work. Am putting up a trail cam to verify when and how many come. Will let everyone know if this works.

[mntlblok]

We had the same issue when we bought 6 years ago. Massey guy identified mole crickets down below that sand cranes were digging for. Interesting demo. He poured a bucket of water on the spot where they were digging. Two minutes later, the mole crickets emerged from below. A couple treatments took care of the issue.
Bet he had a bit of dish soap mixed in. Interestingly, the UF Extension folks suggest that if it raises no more than one or two crickets in that small area, then they're unlikely to be a big problem. After what I've had to deal with from their root eating habits, I'm inclined to err on the side of destroying too many of those tawny rascals.

That soapy water test is popular a couple of states to the north for diagnosing webworm infestations in their zoysia lawns. I've learned a ton lately by following Facebook's "Zoysia Life" group. Highly recommend for those here with zoysia. Log into Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/361719111421294)

[mntlblok]

Our farm families in the sandhills of NE Colorado did eat them in the 40's and 50's. As well as Antelope and jackrabbit and rattlesnake.
Food was scarce during the war.
At that time every low spot in the terrain was a pond due to high aquifer and Cranes summered there in the thousands.
No ponds now; irrigation came along and pumped the aquifer down too much. As I recall, the meat was tough and stringy.
A friend in Hanna, Alberta, recently told me that they're still hunted up yonder. Had been meaning to research it. Son of a gun. . . https://prairiesedgeoutfitting.com/saskatchewan-sandhill-crane-hunting/#:~:text=Typically%20early%20season%20has%20better ,hunt%20sandhill%20cranes%20in%20Saskatchewan.

[Margefrog]

That was very nice of you to research and post for others. It was very well written and informative. Thank you. Marge

[mntlblok]

That was very nice of you to research and post for others. It was very well written and informative. Thank you. Marge

Aww, that's sweet of you to say. But, I did the research out of desperation - for *me*. Always happy to share, though. I sure appreciate the stuff *others* share here. Seems to me to be the "civilized" way to go about things.

BTW, making some *fine* progress with my zoysia - especially in regards to ridding it of the common Bermuda infestation. I'm figuring that by about next May the lawn ought to be up close to "show-off" level. :-) Pretty happy with it right now, though - especially as compared to where it started. . .

[Bilyclub]

Framers have bulldozed most forests in Midwest. But, who cares about flyover states?

Actually in states like Wisconsin it was loggers who cut down the trees, which enabled farmers to plow the fields. Illinois was mostly prairie, no forests.

[NancyEH]

Thanks for all the input about my sandhill crane problem. We tried the motion detection water jet and it didn't work. We put down deer repellent and that didn't work. Our next move is putting rods and fishing line around our patio PLUS getting someone out to get rid of grubs and mole crickets. This has become "our mission" in life.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

All, I appreciate the various responses to my question. Some VERY amusing. No, I don't want to kill them and I do appreciate their grace, just not on my lawn. We already paid over $6000 for this new lawn and don't want to do it again. We already have a company treating the lawn for grubs and mole crickets, for several months now. Have ordered a motion detected sprinkler system which may help. Our present sprinkler system does not help so something more powerful may work. Am putting up a trail cam to verify when and how many come. Will let everyone know if this works.

Thanks for all the input about my sandhill crane problem. We tried the motion detection water jet and it didn't work. We put down deer repellent and that didn't work. Our next move is putting rods and fishing line around our patio PLUS getting someone out to get rid of grubs and mole crickets. This has become "our mission" in life.

I'm assuming you're the same person posting with two different accounts - if I'm not, then sorry for the confusion.

In your previous post you said you've already been working with a company for the past few months to get rid of grubs and mole crickets. In your newest post you say you will be getting someone out NEXT (meaning, you haven't done this yet, it's a next step).

What happened with the company who's been doing it for the past few months?

[PugMom]

Set mouse traps out to stop them, lol just kidding. You have critter bugs in your lawn they are foraging on. Up your bug extermination to control this.

i agree, treat for grubs

[PugMom]

Thanks for all the input about my sandhill crane problem. We tried the motion detection water jet and it didn't work. We put down deer repellent and that didn't work. Our next move is putting rods and fishing line around our patio PLUS getting someone out to get rid of grubs and mole crickets. This has become "our mission" in life.

now all you have to worry about will be the feral piglets, lol :loco:

[fdpaq0580]

now all you have to worry about will be the feral piglets, lol :loco:

Roast feral piglet, anyone? Juicy and tender, smashed potatoes and gravy, collard greens!
Dang! Now I'm hungry !

[NancyEH]

Just discovered that the problem is NOT sandhill cranes but RACOONS. We saw them at night pulling up our lawn and we were able to scared them off. Have uses some DYI solutions to temporarily discourage them (ammonia set out in affected areas). But the permanent solution is trapping and removal. Very expensive. Any recommendation for wildlife abatement company would be appreciated.

[fdpaq0580]

Cherry bombs, M80s, and silver salutes was outlaws in late 60’s.

I'm old. I sometimes forget things (when it's convenient).
😉

[Velvet]

Glad that it wasn’t these beautiful birds that were responsible. Raccoons like grubs, must treat lawn for pests. No insects no raccoons. Works for me up north.They also don’t like the smell of ammonia.

[tophcfa]

Just discovered that the problem is NOT sandhill cranes but RACOONS. We saw them at night pulling up our lawn and we were able to scared them off. Have uses some DYI solutions to temporarily discourage them (ammonia set out in affected areas). But the permanent solution is trapping and removal. Very expensive. Any recommendation for wildlife abatement company would be appreciated.

At our northern home we had a severe raccoon problem. I purchased a very large “have-a-heart” trap and baited it with peanut butter and sunflower seed and caught several of the pesky little buggers. Our neighbor, and several friends, have borrowed the trap and caught several as well. The traps work great, but there is still the issue of what to do with them after the catch. Let’s just say the most effective method isn’t consistent with the “have-a-heart” theme.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Just discovered that the problem is NOT sandhill cranes but RACOONS. We saw them at night pulling up our lawn and we were able to scared them off. Have uses some DYI solutions to temporarily discourage them (ammonia set out in affected areas). But the permanent solution is trapping and removal. Very expensive. Any recommendation for wildlife abatement company would be appreciated.

Learn archery. That'll be your least-expensive option.

[Laurawilcox]

Hello Marge, we have St Augustine, but what did you learn to get rid of Bermuda please? Likely will work on ours. Thank you.

[PugMom]

Just discovered that the problem is NOT sandhill cranes but RACOONS. We saw them at night pulling up our lawn and we were able to scared them off. Have uses some DYI solutions to temporarily discourage them (ammonia set out in affected areas). But the permanent solution is trapping and removal. Very expensive. Any recommendation for wildlife abatement company would be appreciated.

try some Peppermint oil, critters HATE that stuff. mix about 1 gal of h2o to half tsp of oil. pour it around the areas you see them. it hasn't ruined my grass so far, lol, & it even repels snakes. i know WholeFoods has it for sure, but Sprouts may have it as well. i get mine from amazon "Radha Peppermint Oil.' that's the large size for big areas. after it rains, you will need to reapply. best of luck!

[NancyEH]

Glad that it wasn’t these beautiful birds that were responsible. Raccoons like grubs, must treat lawn for pests. No insects no raccoons. Works for me up north.They also don’t like the smell of ammonia.

We used ammonia for several days and it still did not work. In fact the critters walked right past the containers. Also tried commercial scent product that did not work. Our lawn people have applied anti-grub product twice. Now our latest attempt is placing plastic chicken wire on top of the targeted lawn areas. This seems to be working but the question is will this deter them permanently. Can't use the chicken wire forever.

[Lottoguy]

Pellet gun will do the job. When one goes down the rest will flee. Word will spread fast in the bird kingdom. "Avoid that house, the owner is nuts!"

[Velvet]

We used ammonia for several days and it still did not work. In fact the critters walked right past the containers. Also tried commercial scent product that did not work. Our lawn people have applied anti-grub product twice. Now our latest attempt is placing plastic chicken wire on top of the targeted lawn areas. This seems to be working but the question is will this deter them permanently. Can't use the chicken wire forever.

That is unusual because raccoons use their noses often to smell out food. Maybe they’ve learned to “edit it out”. You have to pick up chicken wire before lawn mowing - I used moth balls but only in a fenced back yard ad it can be dangerous to dogs if ingested.

[NancyEH]

You probably have a lot of grubs in your lawn and that's what they are feeding on. Putting down a preventative like GrubX would help in the future but now all you can do is scare the cranes off.

It turns out our problem was not sandhill cranes but RACOONS!! We spotted them one night. They also go after grubs. Our lawn guy put down a double application against grubs. We laid green plastic chicken wire down on the affected area for one week and the critters no longer come. Lots of trial and error but this seemed to work.