Crawfish problem? Proven ways to get rid of crawfish in your yard or pond

Crawfish are small crustaceans and they inhabit wet, freshwater areas, such as ponds, marshes and ditches. They dig burrows to protect themselves and to control moisture, often leaving behind piles of earth, called “chimneys.” Crawfish can wreak havoc on lawns and gardens by burrowing into the ground, mounding up unsightly piles of dirt and disturbing the root structures of plants.

Burrowing by crawfish can also lead to softening of soil, sedimentation and other ecological problems. This makes it difficult for plants to obtain nutrients and water, and the plants may not remain healthy or even survive. Therefore, it’s essential to develop a safe and effective method to stop crawfish burrowing.

Crawfish Habitat and Behavior

Crawfish live in freshwater habitats with plenty of moisture and soft, muddy bottoms. Their preferred habitats include:

• Marshes and Wetlands
• Shallow Ponds and Lakes
• Ditches and Streams

In these habitats, crawfish excavate large burrows. They use these to maintain moisture-temperature conditions and avoid predation. Their burrows:

• Frequently with more than one chamber linked by tunnels.
• Possess surface entrances identified by mounds of excavated soil, known as "chimneys" or "castles."
• They fill pressing roles such as refuges, reproductive sites, and temperature/moisture regulation.

Risks Associated with Crawfish Presence

The activity of crawfish, especially when they burrow, can pose many risks and hazards:

Damage to Turfgrass

• Crawfish mess up lawns with ugly mounds of dirt that hit the ridges at uneven levels.
• Tunneling can damage the grass root system, making it difficult for grass to grow and causing patches of grass to die.
• They make it difficult to cut, mow or aerate the lawn.

Harm to Garden Plants

• Crawfish move soil from around the roots of plants, thereby exposing them to both air and moisture fluctuations.
• This interference may lead to dwarf growth of plants with damaged or displaced roots.
• Their digging can cause plants to be uprooted, causing the garden to be difficult to maintain.

Structural Integrity of Ponds and Water Features

Crawfish burrowing into pond edges can weaken the soil and lead to erosion and undermining of the pond banks.

Erosion leads to:

• Water loss from the pond.
• Changes in water flow can harm aquatic plants and animals.

Agitation of the sediment at the bottom of the pond can have a negative impact on water quality and reduce the oxygen supply for fish and other aquatic life.

How to Identify Crawfish Infestation

Detecting a crawfish infestation early is key to managing the problem effectively. Here are some signs to look for and tips on how to distinguish crawfish from other pests.

• Mud Mounds or Chimneys: One of the most recognizable signs of a crawfish infestation is the existence of these mounds, also called chimneys. These little mud cones are formed by crawfish digging burrows and they can frequently be noticed in yards, gardens, or in the vicinity of ponds.
• Visible Burrow Openings: Crawfish burrow openings are commonly located at or near water, such as ponds, ditches, or marshy areas. The burrows are typically circular or oval and can be several inches in diameter. If you see holes in the ground in the yard, particularly near water sources, crawfish are a likely culprit.
• Disturbed Soil or Uprooted Plants: The burrowing of crawfish may shift the earth around and create uneven patches of ground. In gardens, crawfish also uproot plants in their digging. Locate plants that seem to have been shifted or disrupted, which may be a sign of crawfish activity.

Crawfish vs Other Pests

Every burrowing animal creates holes or mounds; however, several attributes are important to distinguish crawfish mounds:

Tools for Crawfish Monitoring

Here are some recommended aids for checking and monitoring crawfish activity:

• Spade or Shovel: A spade or shovel isn't meant for identifying crawfish, but it can help expose burrows or activity signs. It can be utilized to excavate around visible mounds and to determine the depth and spread of crawfish burrows. Carefully dig the spade into the pile and lift gently out of the pile, and you should see a burrow structure underneath.
• Soil Auger: A soil auger, which is a dirt-digging device for penetrating deeper into the ground, is great for measuring crawfish burrow depth. It also permits access to the burrow systems with a minimum of disturbance to the surrounding soil, so the user can get an accurate handle on how deeply the infestation runs.
• Hand Trowel: A hand trowel is convenient for delicate digging or when a smaller infestation is evident to gently remove soil around burrows. It enables visualisation of the entrance (in close up) and saves unnecessary soil removal.
• Probe or Rod: A long, thin probe or rod can be inserted into the ground around suspected burrow sites. This can be beneficial in determining the site and depth of crawfish tunnels with much less digging. It also makes it easy to find where crawfish are active.

How to Get Rid of Crawfish in Pond or Yard

Crawfish can become pests when they infest ponds or even lawns. Here are a few proven ways of crawfish removal from yard or pond.

1. Crawfish Traps

Funnel traps or box traps are also traps specifically made for catching crawfish. Crawfish can enter these traps, but once they enter, they can’t escape.

1. Set traps on the edges of the pond, especially in areas where there is burrowing or where people have seen crawfish mounds.
2. The traps need some kind of food, such as fish, meat, or cat food, to lure the crawfish in.
3. Traps should be checked daily and if any crawfish are caught, they should be taken out. The bait should be changed frequently to maintain its freshness.

2. Water Level Fluctuations

Stable water levels are also essential for crawfish to burrow and for their survival. Changing the water in a pond can displace their habitat and make them move on:

• When the water is lowered temporarily, the burrows of the crawfish are exposed so that they must come out or go somewhere else. Crawfish require moisture to survive, so their burrows are abandoned when the water dries up.
• Higher water typically drowns the crawfish by filling up their burrows. This technique flushes crawfish out of their burrows.

3. Chemical and Natural Repellents

There are several water-ready chemical products that may be used to keep crawfish away. These may be pesticides, insecticides that are labeled for use in ponds. Its manufacturer's instructions should be strictly followed. Some of these chemicals will kill other pond dwellers such as fish and beneficial organisms, so use them sparingly and carefully.

Natural repellents include:

• Soapy Water: A soapy water solution will deter crawfish from digging. The solution to prevent crawfish from creating new burrows is to spray it around the edges of the pond.
• Essential Oils: Oils like peppermint or eucalyptus are natural crawfish repellents. Mix a few drops in water and spray it along the perimeter of the pond to keep crawfish at bay.
• Vinegar: A vinegar application to the perimeter edges of the pond can also dissuade crawfish from digging.

Best Crawfish Traps for Garden Use

When you have a crawfish problem in the yard, using good traps will provide a great way to decrease the population of crawfish and limit the destruction of plants, soil, and water features.

1. DIY Chicken Wire Trap

A DIY chicken wire trap is a fantastic option for those who need a cheap, customizable solution. It's a budget-friendly and good way to make something with your hands.

Materials Needed

• Chicken wire (1/2-inch mesh)
• Zip ties
• Rubber bands
• Plastic bottle (for buoyancy)

How to Make the Trap

• Begin by shaping the chicken wire into a cylinder with a cone shaped opening on either end.
• Secure the wire with a zip tie and hold the trap door in place using rubber bands.
• Add a bottle for convenient removal of the trap.

A homemade chicken wire trap is ideal for confined garden sites and for organic crawfish control.

2. Folding Fish Trap

Those who prefer a lightweight and small trap, a folding fish trap is an ideal solution. These traps set up or tear down in a snap and don’t take up much room, so they work great in small to medium sized ponds.

Features

• Foldable design for easy storage.
• Multiple openings funnel in more moles.
• Made with quality mesh that resists damage from the elements in a pond.

How to Use

• Set the trap where crawfish can be seen, preferably near burrows or mounds.
• Routine checks of the trap will help you track how well it’s working.

The folding fish trap is a perfect solution for those looking for an easy, portable way to remove crawfish from the garden.

3. Baited Wire Mesh Trap

A wired baited mesh trap is an old, true way of catching crawfish that is still popular today. This is the kind of trap that worked for years and continues to do so because it is easy to install and has a very high success rate.

Features

• Wire mesh body with funnel-shaped entrances that allow crawfish to enter but prevent escape.
• A designated bait compartment designed to attract crawfish.
• Handle for easy retrieval.

How to Use

• Set the trap where crawfish are active, near burrows or mounds.
• Create a bait by using parts of oily fish, such as salmon heads to lure crawfish from the water into the trap.
• Inspect the trap often and dispose of any crawfish that are caught.

This baited wire mesh trap works well for small or large ponds and is a proven method of removing crawfish.

Preventive Measures for Crawfish Control

Proactive interventions such as habitat modification, landscape manipulation, and regularly scheduled maintenance are key to successfully preventing and controlling a crawfish invasion in the lawn or tank.

• Improve Drainage: Crawfish love to reside in wet, muddy ground. Protect the vulnerable section of the wall by enhancing drainage, such as installing or modifying a system to redirect water from the area. Removing stagnant water and correcting rainwater runoff is an easy way to avoid having standing water,making the yard less appealing to crawfish.
• Reduce Standing Water: People should also put the boots on the ground to check for puddles or low-lying areas where water accumulates and fill them in with soil or gravel. If there is a pond, constant water levels can help prevent fluctuations that can draw the interest of crawfish.

• Plant Non-Moisture Loving Plants: For drainage-prone areas that experience crawfish presence, plant lavender, succulents, and ornamental grasses that hate moisture, like lavender, succulents, and ornamental grasses to generate drier soil that is not alluring to the mud-bug.
• Use Barriers: Putting up wire mesh or even plastic sheeting around garden beds or a pond’s edge (buried 12-18 inches deep) can help prevent crawfish damage lawn from burrowing. Also, if you put gravel or coarse mulch around the areas, crawfish tend not to dig. 

• Inspect the Yard: Homeowners can review their yard from time to time to look for burrow mounds or disturbed soil areas, especially following rains. If signs of activity are discovered, burrows should be abandoned or baited with traps for crawfish.
• Maintain Proper Drainage: It is important to keep drains clear and regularly check for standing water. Consistent and frequent checks of the water quality and condition of the pond can also make crawfish avoid settling at the bottom edges.

Long-Term Solutions for Crawfish Control

Sound repellers or professional pest services are needed for lasting control of crawfish infestations at home.

Install Sound Repellers

These sound repellers are a long term solution and are effective in keeping crawfish and other burrowing pests from digging up the yard. These solar devices emit high-pitched vibrations or sounds that crawfish don't like, which in turn drives them out. The vibrations or ultrasonic waves disrupt the crawfish’s digging activities, thus rendering the location uninhabitable.

Choose solar-powered devices for sustainability. Set them near burrow-specific locations or at the edge of the yard. Just make sure to bury them at a minimum depth of 12 inches for best results. Adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines and service the equipment routinely.

Professional Assistance

If the infestation is widespread, or is hard and costly to control, or has caused severe damage to the pond or yard, it is worth considering the help of professionals. Experts will evaluate the situation, develop a personalized plan, and recommend extreme measures, such as chemical treatments, traps or habitat modification. They might also offer after-treatment maintenance for continued prevention.

Summary

If crawfish have invaded the lawn or pond, they could become a constant hassle by digging up the lawn, disturbing the health of other plants and water features. To remove crawfish, employ traps, control water levels and try to drain the yard. Installing solar-powered sound repellers is a permanent option; crawfish don’t like to hang around the area. Professionals may be able to solve the issue by evaluating the problem and providing tailored solutions like chemical treatments or changes in habitat.

For those looking for natural crawfish deterrents to enhance their soil and ensure that they grow healthy plants, Growcycle provides a wealth of information about sustainable gardening practices that help gardeners get the most out of their property in a safe environment.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.