Finding holes dug in your yard can be frustrating and leave you wondering what critter is the culprit. Identifying the culprit is an important first step to resolving the issue. There are several common animals that may be digging up your lawn and garden. We will explore the signs to look for and solutions to stop unwelcome digging.
Look For Specific Hole Types and Locations
The type of hole and its location can provide clues as to which animal is the digger. Here are some things to look for:
Small, Conical Holes
Small holes, usually 1-2 inches across, that are conical in shape with neat, pushed-out sides are likely from insects. Suspects include ants, solitary wasps and bees, cicada killer wasps, or beetles. Look for signs like small piles of dirt or sand around the holes.
Larger Conical Holes
Cone-shaped holes 2 or more inches in diameter with loose, excavated soil are typically made by burrowing animals like moles, voles, rats, or chipmunks. Moles tend to make deeper tunnels, while voles and rats create shallow surface runs.
Crescent-Shaped Holes
Crescent-moon shaped holes result from claws digging near the surface. Culprits include dogs, raccoons, skunks, or armadillos. The holes will often be near plants, flower beds, or trees where these animals are foraging for food.
Random Scattered Holes
Holes of varying shapes and sizes dug randomly in the yard are usually from squirrels searching for nuts they buried or birds like robins pulling up worms and insects from the soil.
Near Structures
Holes dug along the foundation of sheds, porches, or under bushes and overhangs indicate den sites for foxes, skunks, or raccoons. Groundhogs also dig burrows with large mounds of dirt nearby.
Identifying where the holes are concentrated will help pinpoint which pest is digging.
Common Culprits of Yard Hole Digging
Here are some of the prime suspect animals that create holes in yards and gardens:
Moles
Moles excavate deep winding tunnels just below the surface, leaving raised ridges visible above their runs. Conical holes are made when they occasionally surface to expel dirt. They dig in search of earthworms and grubs.
Voles
Voles bore shallow surface runways 1-2 inches wide through lawns and gardens. Conical holes are dotted along their trails. Voles eat plants roots, bulbs, and tubers.
Rats & Mice
Rats and mice leave small 1-2 inch holes leading to their underground burrow systems where they nest and search for food. Look for other signs like droppings and rub marks.
Groundhogs
Groundhogs leave large, deep burrows with big mounds of excavated dirt at the entrances. They are active daytime animals that eat plants and vegetables from gardens.
Chipmunks
Active chipmunks leave many small, conical holes, often near stone walls, planting beds, and bushes where they have dens and search for nuts and seeds.
Squirrels
Squirrels leave random, scattered holes where they dig up nuts previously buried. They also dig under bushes, decks, and porches for nest sites.
Dogs & Cats
Free roaming pets, especially dogs, will dig holes to bury bones, search for rodents or moles, or cool off on hot days. Cats may dig to cover waste.
Raccoons
Nocturnal raccoons leave crescent-shaped holes scattered across yards as they search for insects and worms. They also dig dens under sheds, porches, and in tree hollows.
Skunks
Skunks dig multiple small holes in search of grubs and insects. Their holes are tapered at the bottom where they’ve dug up soil. Dens are made under decks, buildings, or wood piles.
Rabbits & Hares
Rabbits and hares excavate burrows with neat, rounded entrances in yards and gardens. They live and take refuge underground and emerge to feed on plants.
Carefully studying the hole’s size, shape, and location provides the vital clues needed to pinpoint which pest animal is digging up your yard.
Stop Animals from Digging Up Your Yard
Once you’ve identified the culprit, you can take steps to deter them and protect your lawn. Here are some effective solutions:
Remove Food Sources
Eliminating food sources like fallen fruit, seeds, grubs and insects, or pet food is key to preventing animals from visiting your yard. Clean up any attractants.
Use Repellents
Apply animal-safe organic repellents, like castor oil, garlic, or predator urine near common digging sites. Reapply after rain. Avoid harmful chemicals.
Add Physical Barriers
Install fencing around gardens, flowerbeds, and planting areas to block pests. Use wire mesh or rocks below the soil surface to prevent digging.
Try Vibration Devices
Place battery powered stakes that emit vibrations into areas of frequent digging. The underground pulsations deter moles, gophers, and other burrowing pests.
Use Traps Humanely
Trap and remove moles, gophers, rats, and other nuisance animals. Ensure traps do not harm pets or wildlife. Release non-target animals.
Keep Cats Indoors
Prevent free-roaming outdoor cats from digging up your yard with buried waste. Have litter boxes available indoors at all times.
Provide Enrichment for Dogs
Dogs dig when bored. Provide plenty of toys and activities to keep them engaged. Take dogs out for adequate walks and exercise daily.
Consult a Professional
For severe wildlife issues, seek help from animal control pros or wildlife removal experts. They can identify and humanely remove problem animals.
Using multiple yard protection measures tailored to the specific animal pest will produce the best results and finally stop holes from appearing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Hole Digging
Here are answers to some common questions about mystery holes and critters digging in your yard:
What makes squirrels dig holes in my yard?
Squirrels dig random holes across lawns and gardens in search of nuts and seeds they previously buried for later retrieval. Their excellent memory for burying spots leads them to dig up the yard.
Why does my dog dig holes and how can I stop it?
Dogs instinctively dig for several reasons like boredom, burying possessions, or seeking comfort on hot days. Provide plenty of exercise, toys & activities, and access to cool, shaded ground to deter digging.
What kind of holes do groundhogs make?
Groundhogs dig very large, deep burrows with big piles of excavated dirt at the entrance. Their holes lead to an extensive underground den system where they live and raise young.
How can you identify vole holes?
Voles create a network of surface runways 1-2 inches wide through lawns. Their holes are usually conical in shape, about 1-2 inches in diameter, and found dotted along their shallow trails.
What animals dig small holes in the yard?
Small, 1-2 inch holes are made by rats, mice, chipmunks, lizards, frogs, insects like solitary bees, or spiders. Study the hole shape and location to identify the exact digger.
Why do skunks dig holes in my yard?
Skunks dig tapered holes in search of grubs, worms, and other insects to eat. They also dig dens under porches, decks, or structures for raising young. Diurnal digging signals potential rabies.
How can I stop moles from tunneling in my yard?
Use vibration stakes, predator urine, or castor oil in mole runs. Place wire mesh or gravel below ground to block digging. Trapping is effective but labor intensive for large areas.
Pinpointing the culprit animal and using suitable deterrents will successfully keep your yard free from holes.
Conclusion
Unwanted holes ruining your lawn and landscaping can be frustrating and confusing when you don’t know which pest is the digger. By carefully studying the size, shape, depth, and location of the holes and tunnels, you can identify the problem animal. Moles, voles, chipmunks, groundhogs, dogs, cats, squirrels, and more create signature digging patterns. Once you’ve determined the culprit, customized solutions like exclusion, repellents, habitat modification, and trapping can be used to safely and humanely stop the digging for good. With some detective work and an integrated pest control plan, you can outsmart the animals wrecking your yard and finally enjoy an undamaged landscape.