If you have a lot of water on your property and need to remove a lot of crayfish rapidly, use some CRAYFISH NET TRAPS. To keep these numbers in check, there are two things you can do. In summary, crayfish can rapidly multiply leading to populations which the local water environment may not be able to sustain. Remember, humans are not the only animal which enjoy a good crayfish meal. Raccoon, skunk and armadillo will regularly dig into turf causing even more of a mess as well as additional damage. Regardless these “castles” are not attractive in the yard.Īnother type of damage which stems from these burrows is caused from predatory animals which will dig looking for food. Some people refer to them as “chimneys” or “crayfish castles”. Additionally, their burrows are unsightly. CRAWFISH IN GRASSĬrayfish burrows will be killing plants and shrubs as they dig.

This digging will occur mostly at night and generally leads to turf damage in two ways. Basically they’ll be walking out past existing burrows to dig new ones further and further away from water. Overcrowding will cause them to leave the water to nest. However, as populations of crayfish increase, their burrowing will reach further and further out into turf areas. This happens all the time where crayfish are present most of this is never noticed by land owners. Their burrows serve as a way they can retreat from the water as well as to provide shelter. Initially, most species will burrow out onto the water shore and emerge a few feet up on dry land. The second way crayfish cause problems is with their burrowing. In the end, a large population of crayfish may lead to decreasing the amount of fish you’re trying to grow. Be careful when trying to use crayfish as a main food supply hoping to feed fish which will grow unusually large because of the abundance of crayfish. Their tenacious diet will prevent local fish populations from developing properly. They love fish eggs and fry and seek such food supplies when available. HOW CAN CRAYFISH DAMAGE PRIVATE LAND AND WATER? ^Ĭrayfish cause damage property several ways. Given the chance, these initial populations will bloom uncontrollably and if given the chance, can actually reduce fish breeding as well as lead to damage of important lake shore. Property owners will plant crayfish in ponds and lakes in an attempt to feed their private fish stock. CRAYFISH BIOLOGY ^ MAN HOLDING CRAWFISHĬrayfish are natural food for many animals including snakes, mink, otter, raccoon, birds and many species of fish. This article will explain why crayfish can become a problem and then offer control measures to help reduce damage and populations which are too large. However, as people have relocated populations close to streams, rivers, ponds and lakes, crayfish problems have developed. There are over 300 species in our country several species are raised specifically to be eaten. HOW CAN CRAYFISH DAMAGE PRIVATE LAND AND WATER?Ĭrayfish, also known as crawfish, freshwater lobster, mud bugs, freshwater crab, crawdad and several other names depending on where you are in the United States, have become a major nuisance in certain regions of the country.POLES, SNAKE TONGS, GRABBERS AND OTHER MISC.INSECTICIDES: SCALP (FOR USE ON PEOPLE).INSECTICIDES: BACTERIA BASED (BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS).

BAIT, GRANULE AND LIQUID STATIONS (EMPTY STATIONS).

Crayfish clawfish