Pretty impressive work

 

Considering it was done by crows. This is our back yard. They are tearing up everything from parking strips to manicured lawns in Seattle. A rather sad sight as you walk around town. 

Why? The European chafer beetle is a gourmet treat for crows and an invasive pest that arrived in the Pacific Northwest about 10 years ago. The beetle's life cycle is about a year, and nine months of that time are spent as big, tasty white grubs.

One natural solution is to apply Nematodes, which are microscopic creatures that act as parasites on other insects. These tiny harmless creatures are the most numerous multicellular animals on earth. 

They say it's also helpful to aerate the grass and keep it healthier. Our neglected "lawn" is mostly moss and weeds. My excellent gardener is coming out to see what he can do. I won't drench the property with chemicals, but maybe he can help get it somewhat presentable again.

Each summer usually brings another big outdoor project here, and rebuilding the rotting old deck is also on the radar.