Odd smell while digging.

[509frank]

While diging the trench for electrical this morning several times we smelled a strong smell and it smelled like citronella. We looked in the trench and saw nothin but dirt and rocks. Has anyone ever had this happen?

Frank

 

[PRH44]

Re: Odd smell while diging.

I have encountered similar smells many times. especially in areas where older structures may have stood or an old road may have passed through. Petroleum products such as diesel, gasoline, oil and solvents are present in older commercial or industrial areas.
Are you located near any of the above?
decaying mater can smell similar and it can be natural. However there are many contaminates in the soil in some areas and it could be many things. We have had projects shutdown because of contaminants. Does the soil look a different color at those times?

 

[cyamaha2007]

Re: Odd smell while diging.

Ive ran into that smell when i was digging in the area a old heating oil tank was.

 

[ihredo4]

Re: Odd smell while diging.

Natural Gas has the smell of rotten eggs plus the ground tends to discolor into a green hue. You should be able to see the remnants of a trench or hole in "virgin" soil. Haven't had the smell of citronella in a ditch though.

 

[camarotoolman]

Re: Odd smell while diging.

You just need a bath. LOL

 

[rlitman]

Re: Odd smell while diging.

Could it be from plants around the ditch?

 

[509frank]

Re: Odd smell while diging.

This was just my back yard,has not beed dug up in the 23 years I have lived here. The only plants were grass and dandelions.

The odor was very strong ,but only lasted a few seconds and was gone.

Frank

 

[BajaScout]

Re: Odd smell while diging.

Was there anyone near you? Could have been an SBD....Silent But Deadly.

 

[Erampu]

Do what I do - blame the dog.

 

[djkeev]

A grass known as "lemon grass" has many variants one of which is grown to get citronella oil. Trouble is, this is a tropical plant, you are in Pennsylvania so that pretty much rules out your having a Patch of wild lemongrass in your yard. Lemon grass isn't a wild plant in the US anyway. It can be grown in the Southern States but dies when it falls below freezing temperatures.

Dave

 

[venom50svt]

One problem that you may encounter is someone that doesent know anything about you are doing and hearing of a questionable smell or a substance being dug up. The alarm goes off and people that you never knew will be in your yard and you may be stuck with the bill for testing.... Hope you have good neihbors..

 

[Kevin54]

A grass known as "lemon grass" has many variants one of which is grown to get citronella oil. Trouble is, this is a tropical plant, you are in Pennsylvania so that pretty much rules out your having a Patch of wild lemongrass in your yard. Lemon grass isn't a wild plant in the US anyway. It can be grown in the Southern States but dies when it falls below freezing temperatures.

Dave

All that for nothing

 

[bobemmerich]

I had a similar problem. Come to find out it was a colony of Citronella Ants.
See this article:
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/citronella-ants

It is possible this is what you were smelling. I thought they were termites at first.

 

[G_P]

If the smell went away in seconds and the soil looks normal I would not worry about it. For all you know someone dropped an old citronella candle and the sunlight melted it into the ground and when you tore it up thats what you smelled. Or perhaps at some point some tiki torch fuel was spilled.

Keep digging and finish the job. If you call anyone they will tear your yard apart and charge you thousands to soil test. Then you will be left with paying to have your yard put back together. If they find anything they could really screw you and dig up your whole property and charge you for the cleanup and disposal!

 

[70redbee]

All that for nothing

A grass known as "lemon grass" has many variants one of which is grown to get citronella oil. Trouble is, this is a tropical plant, you are in Pennsylvania so that pretty much rules out your having a Patch of wild lemongrass in your yard. Lemon grass isn't a wild plant in the US anyway. It can be grown in the Southern States but dies when it falls below freezing temperatures.

Dave

And how did this help the OP. Worthless post.

 

[nehog]

A grass known as "lemon grass" has many variants one of which is grown to get citronella oil. Trouble is, this is a tropical plant, you are in Pennsylvania so that pretty much rules out your having a Patch of wild lemongrass in your yard. Lemon grass isn't a wild plant in the US anyway. It can be grown in the Southern States but dies when it falls below freezing temperatures.

Dave

Two factoids, Lemon Grass can grow in PA, we grow it in NH, but as you note, it doesn't survive winter. Second is that Lemon Grass (if we're talking the same thing) is edible and used in Thai cooking. We do grow it here in NH, but replant each year.

And how did this help the OP. Worthless post.

The only worthless post was yours. There must be a better way for you to bump up your post count?

 

[jkeyser14]

I had a similar problem. Come to find out it was a colony of Citronella Ants.
See this article:
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/citronella-ants

It is possible this is what you were smelling. I thought they were termites at first.

^ This

 

[509frank]

I had a similar problem. Come to find out it was a colony of Citronella Ants.
See this article:
http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/citronella-ants

It is possible this is what you were smelling. I thought they were termites at first.

This is indeed what we had. Talked to a friend today that is in the excavating buisness. He came to the house and looked in the trench and showed me the ants. He said he runs into them all the time.

Never intended to involve any officials, don't need that kind of problems.

 

[rlitman]

This is indeed what we had. Talked to a friend today that is in the excavating buisness. He came to the house and looked in the trench and showed me the ants. He said he runs into them all the time.

Interesting. I learn something new every day.

. . . Lemon Grass can grow in PA, we grow it in NH, but as you note, it doesn't survive winter. . .

Yes, but "Lemon Balm" has the same smell if you step on it, and it is in the mint family. It will grow like wildfire and have no problem with New England winters.

 

[Kev442]

I was amazed to be digging out the foundation around my old house for insulating foam board and find bumblebees over a foot down in the sandy soil. I knew they burrowed for the winter, but 12-14" is pretty impressive!

 

[ssffnomad]

Please Call before you Dig