Getty ImagesDiscovering unsightly holes, mounds, or tunnels in your lawn or garden can be frustrating. However, identifying the culprit behind the excavation is not always straightforward. “Some detective work is necessary,” explains Robert Pierce, PhD, an associate professor and state extension fisheries and wildlife specialist at the University of Missouri. “You’ll need to gather information to determine what might be causing the damage.”Before investing time and resources into addressing the issue, it’s crucial to accurately identify the offender, as management techniques vary for different animals. “It’s essentially a process of elimination,” says Mike Mengak, PhD, professor emeritus and wildlife specialist at the University of Georgia. “You might start with 20 potential suspects and narrow it down to the two or three most likely culprits.”While using a game camera is an option, it may not always capture images of the creature responsible, especially if it’s a small animal like a chipmunk or vole. Additionally, there’s a possibility of misidentification. “It could simply be your neighbor’s dog,” Mengak points out. “Don’t overlook the obvious.”Here are the key details to gather when trying to determine the source of the digging activity in your yard, as advised by Pierce and Mengak:Know the local wildlife species in your area by consulting your university cooperative extension service. Understanding the habitat preferences of different animals can assist in identification.Observed the location of the damage. Is it in a grassy meadow, near a tree line, or within landscaped beds? Identifying the habitat can provide clues about the type of wildlife responsible.Take note of the time of year, as certain types of damage may be more common during specific seasons.Observing the time of day when the damage occurs can indicate the most active period for the animal involved.Examine the appearance of the hole or damage, including its shape, soil mound presence, and size.Look for tracks or droppings near the damaged area as additional clues for identifying potential culprits.In the Southeast region, common animals known to dig holes in yards include armadillos and groundhogs, as highlighted by Pierce and Mengak. Armadillos create shallow holes in yards and gardens, often leaving distinctive three-toed tracks with claw marks. Groundhogs, on the other hand, are typically found near pastures and field edges.
Groundhogs typically create burrows underground in wooded areas or under sheds and structures. Their main burrow entrance is a 10 to 12-inch diameter hole leading to burrow systems that can extend up to 30 feet in length. Groundhogs are active during the day.
Moles, on the other hand, are insectivores that tunnel underground in search of food. They leave behind distinctive raised ridges of soil above their tunnels, which are typically 5 inches or deeper below the ground surface. Moles create long, straight travel tunnels as well as tunnels that zig-zag, and sometimes create volcano-like mounds of soil ranging from 2 to 12 inches tall. Moles feed day and night to sustain their energy needs for all the tunneling.
Voles are often mistaken for moles in terms of damage, but they can be occasionally spotted above ground unlike moles. Voles, herbivores, build surface or underground runways in areas with dense ground cover. They live in colonies and have runways about 1 to 2 inches wide with several entrance holes concentrated in a small area. Voles feed and tunnel continuously day and night.
Raccoons are opportunistic feeders that consume a variety of items such as plant and animal matter, garbage, pet food, bird seed, vegetables, and eggs. They can create new dens by enlarging existing holes and are mostly active at night, though they may also forage at dawn and dusk.
Various rodents, including squirrels, chipmunks, and rats, can also be responsible for digging up yards. Squirrels bury and unearth nuts in lawns and mulched beds, chipmunks create holes near stumps and buildings, and rats dig tunnels with openings about 3 inches in diameter, often near wood piles.
Skunks are primarily insectivores that dig for their food, leaving cone-shaped holes measuring 1 to 3 inches in lawns where they search for grubs and worms. Skunks are nocturnal but may forage during the day, especially if they are nursing mothers.
Wild turkeys, although not major lawn pests, can scratch up newly-seeded lawns, landscaped areas, or gardens when they flock together in late summer, fall, and winter. Damage often attributed to turkeys may actually be caused by other wildlife such as raccoons, deer, or voles. In some cases, other birds like crows and jays may also contribute to lawn damage.
If you are dealing with persistent wildlife issues, unidentified damage, or animals denning close to or under your home, consider consulting a nuisance wildlife removal expert for assistance. Contact your state’s wildlife agency for further guidance.
