What's making these small holes in my yard?

Does anyone know what is making these small holes in my yard. They are about 1/2" in diameter and much smaller than chipmunk holes which I am very familiar with.

This message was edited Jun 25, 2012 2:13 PM

Voles maybe? I don't remember exactly how big their holes are but they're pretty small.

Here in New Mexico, I'd say 1) centipede 2) snake 3) tarantula

I've never seen anything like that, it's a perfect round hole. I hope someone comes up with the little bugger, I'd like to know also.

I know that is what is so bizarre. They are perfect little holes and all over our yard. I know we have problems with ground moles, but these holes are way too small for that. I wondered if they could be ground nests for bees? Anyone? Pleeeeeaaase help.

I just googled this and the one said it was ants, have you seen alot more ants than usual??
Christine

Cicada holes?

Maybe one of your neighbors is aerating your yard for you & not telling you....

This message was edited Jul 3, 2012 11:15 AM

i'll second the Cicada holes. when they emerge, it's usually pretty much all at once and they do make a perfect little hole, about quarter sized.

http://www.google.com/search?num=10&hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&q=cicada+holes&oq=cicada+holes&gs_l=img.12..0j0i24l2.929.5126.0.8264.12.10.0.2.2.0.135.1085.1j9.10.0...0.0.Hy4J-5XsW-Y&biw=1125&bih=587&sei=ExjzT7jhOor-8ATmvI3OCQ

This message was edited Jul 3, 2012 12:05 PM

I agree, either cicadas or the cicada-killer wasp

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef004.asp

Cicadas emerge leave these holes, or the cicada killer wasps drag their prey to such holes and lay their eggs on said prey. Try not to step on the holes, they will sting if trapped and want out. Snakes and tarantulas and toads all live in holes in the ground that are a bit larger, snakes obviously because dinner might use the hole, secondly to escape the dry heat.

It's probably caused by a cicada killer wasp. I have them in my yard and have seen the wasps near the holes. The female wasp tends to the hole and has a very mild sting, the males do not sting. Thes wasps stun the cicadas and drag the bodies down into the holes to feed their young. It is a very interesting insect.

This message was edited Jul 12, 2012 1:25 PM

Wow!!! Thank you for the posts to my thread. I think those of you that posted "cicada wasp killer" holes were absolutely correct. I read more on the links you posted and think that is it. Those are nasty. I need to do some more research on these things. Yuck!

Thanks so much to all of you for your posts. It is much appreciated.

they are actually the good guys.....

We have those same holes all in our yard! My husband dug one up and it was a very weird looking bug. It almost looked like a hornet on the face, but had a worm like body. What is that?

peace’
'286 commenting "looked like a hornet" reminded me of the preceding generation around these parts calling them "sand hornets". The entomologists call them "Sphecius speciosus", I read.