Metro Vancouver has a European Chafer beetle problem. Actually, the beetles themselves aren’t too troublesome, but their grubs, which feed on the roots of turf grass, are wreaking havoc.
As an introduced pest, the beetle has few natural competitors to control it. That’s where the urban wildlife steps in. Raccoons, skunks and crows enjoy tearing apart lawns in search of larval appies.
Crows in particular can do some serious damage, especially if you live near their flight path.
Personally, I have a hard time caring about lawns, but I suppose it could be pretty disturbing if you spend a lot of time and energy on your lawn only to have it pecked to bits by some damn birds.
But not as disturbing as, say, stringing up one of those birds.
Yes, that’s a dead crow, hanging from someone’s front porch. Classy. As their front “lawn” has been covered with chicken wire, I’m jumping to the conclusion that crows were pecking at it. And the dead crow is what, a warning to other crows? Seriously, WTF? That is so not cool.
Here are some much more effective, neighbour (and wildlife) friendly options for dealing with the Chafer beetle fallout. Not surprisingly, preventing lawn damage from the European Chafer beetle goes back to sustainable lawn care practices like aerating the soil and raising the height of the blade on your mower. Or, like some creative gardeners, you can replace your lawn with clover or wildflowers.
wren says
this cracks me up. sadly, folks like this don’t grasp the fact that the lawn is already dead by the time the predators get there. chafers love to chomp up the grass roots. it’s just a matter of time until the green part bites the dust.
themanicgardener says
A lawn covered in chicken wire? Now, that’s inviting. Reminds me of the living rooms I saw as a kid, with all the furniture encased in plastic. Charming.
I wonder if the shop-vac method I learned for controlling cinch bugs would work on these babies.
–Kate
milkybeer says
It’s like The Godfather: Gardening Edition.
Emma says
That is sick!
Forgive me for my ignorance, but when should I aerate my lawn? I used to live at a house where the lawn was messed up by crows, but at my new house, the lawn is very nice…and I want to keep it that way.
Martin says
I just gave you a Lemonade Award, isn’t that just awesome?
Mik says
Apparently this is a very effective way of scaring away crows, although I do have to admit it looks pretty bad. Crows have great memory and great social and communication skills. They will remember for several years that that spot is ‘wrong’, crows get killed there. It is pretty basic, but very rewarding, behavior.
The chicken wire, I don’t like, why have a lawn at all?
Katie says
That is so sad. Have you ever wondered why it is that when you see one crow, you usually see another one? They MATE FOR LIFE. That person just killed someone’s significant other. How cruel. You should report them to your local animal welfare office.
And yes, there are BETTER ways to deal with critters tearing up a lawn, like oh, say, getting rid of the lawn.
Andrea Bellamy says
Wren – good point. It’s a lot of trouble to go to for doomed grass.
Kate – totally! It’s the lawn equivalent of plastic-covered furniture!
Milkybeer – Gardening on the darkside…
Emma – I can’t stress enough how little I know about lawn maintenance, but from what the interweb is telling me, early fall is the time to do it.
Martin – Thanks! I accept it with honor!
Mik – No kidding that spot is “wrong”! I can see that about crows; they are fascinating creatures.
Katie – wow. So sad. I didn’t know that. Our cat killed a woodpecker many years ago and its mate came back year after year (I may be anthropomorphizing a bit but I think it was mourning her and looking for her still). So it doesn’t surprise me that these birds mate for life.
Amen on the lawn thing, too. I love the clover lawn replacement (shown on the last link.)
melanie watts says
It’s gross and hilarious at the same time. Great way to start my morning, laughing. I planted clover around my new house last spring because I’m lazy and I didn’t want to mow or water. It grew great. Right now it is covered in snow and the ground is frozen. I’ll see how it does next year.
out of doors says
How strange that the people tending this lawn are more interested in engaging in a relationship with crows than with the people you would expect the lawn to impress.
Francesca says
Here is an article about the amazing memory of crows:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/26/science/26crow.html
I hope the crows plot against them, and place slippery objects on their stairs and pathways.
Josee says
Nematodes are effective as well. People in the New Westminster area were given coupons to go get some at gardenworks, but surprise surprise, most of the coupons went unused.
J says
Skunk’s,Koon’s and Crow’s eat-em by the tone!
It is time we human’s start doing the same!!!
Katie says
Hey where did you find that house?
Or what neighborhood is that in?
Alberto says
This is just too funny. Just have your gardener take care of your lawn like I did to mine. It is so much easier and not to mention it doesn’t look as ridiculous as this.