Unidentified Creature Dug Up Holes in My Backyard

Unidentified Creature Digging Trenches in My Backyard?

It can be frustrating to stumble upon unsightly holes, mounds, or burrows in your garden or lawn. Figuring out who or what is digging without your consent isn't always straightforward. According to Robert Pierce, PhD, an associate professor and state extension fisheries and wildlife specialist at the University of Missouri, "there's some sleuthing required." You'll need to collect data to identify the possible cause of the damage.

Before you invest time and money into dealing with the issue, ensure you're accurately identifying the offender. Management tactics vary for different animals, and it's a process of elimination, as Mike Mengak, PhD, a professor emeritus and wildlife specialist at the University of Georgia, explains. You might have 20 potential suspects, which can be narrowed down to a few likely culprits.

While a game cam may capture images of the creature causing damage, small animals like chipmunks or voles might not be captured. Additionally, there's a chance that you're misidentifying the animal. As Mengak notes, "it could just be your neighbor's dog."

To identify the culprit digging in your yard, Pierce and Mengak advise the following:

Robert Pierce, PhD, is an associate professor and state extension fisheries and wildlife specialist at the University of Missouri.
Mike Mengak, PhD, is professor emeritus and wildlife specialist at the University of Georgia.

What Wildlife Inhabits Your Area?

The first step is to learn about the wildlife in your region. Your local university extension service (find it here) is a valuable resource for learning about local wildlife issues.

Where is the Damage Observed?

Identify the location of the damage – is it in a grassy meadow, along a tree line, or in the middle of landscaped beds? Different types of wildlife prefer specific habitats, which can help with identification.

What Time of Year is it?

Certain types of damage occur more frequently during specific seasons. For instance, mothers digging nests for their young might be more active in the spring.

What Time of Day does the Damage Occur?

Animals are usually most active at specific times of day. If you find damage in the morning, it's unlikely that a turkey is responsible, as they spend the night in trees for safety.

How Does the Hole or Damage Appear?

Take note of the appearance of the hole – is it flat or raised, and is soil mounded up? Clues like these can help determine the animal responsible.

Are There Tracks or Droppings Near the Damage?

While this isn't always easy to see, the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management offers information on identifying animal tracks and droppings, which can aid in identifying potential culprits.

Common Animals That Dig Holes in Lawns

Many different critters could be responsible for digging up your lawn and garden. Here are a few of the most common in the Southeast, according to Pierce and Mengak:

Armadillos

Armadillos usually dig shallow holes in forested areas, but their damage in a lawn or garden is characterized by dozens of small holes, each about a few inches deep. Armadillos are nocturnal, but they may move during the day.

Here's How to Manage Armadillos

Groundhogs

Groundhogs prefer to live near pastures, woods, or under sheds or structures. They burrow with a main entrance that is 10-12 inches in diameter, and their burrow systems can span up to 30 feet. Groundhogs are active during the day.

Here's How to Manage Groundhogs

Moles

Moles tunnel to find insects for food. They leave raised ridges of soil above their tunnels, which may be up to 5 inches beneath the ground surface. Moles also create long, straight travel tunnels, as well as zigzag tunnels and volcano-like mounds of soil. Moles are active day and night.

Here's How to Get Rid of Moles

Voles

Vole damage is often misconstrued as mole damage. Voles construct surface or underground runways in areas with heavy ground cover and feed and tunnel day and night. Their burrows have many flat entrance holes in a concentrated area.

Here's How to Get Rid of Voles

Raccoons

Raccoons are omnivorous and will eat whatever's readily available, including plant and animal matter, garbage, pet food, bird seed, and even eggs. They can lift and flip sod and create new dens. Raccoons are mostly active at night but forage at dawn and dusk as well.

Here's How to Manage Raccoons

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Various kinds of rodents might be tearing up your yard, such as squirrels, chipmunks, and even rats. For instance, squirrels enjoy hiding and retrieving nuts from the grass and flower beds filled with mulch. In contrast, chipmunks tend to develop hideouts near stumps, constructions, and piles of debris. Rat burrows, typically marked by an opening of approximately 3 inches in diameter, can be spotted in discrete locations, such as near wooden piles.

Controlling Squirrels/Preventing Mouse Infestations

Skunks

Skunks primarily consume insects, and as a result, they dig through the soil to find their meals. One of the most common signs of skunks is the appearance of small, cone-shaped holes, ranging from 1 to 3 inches, scattered throughout your lawn. These are the remnants of their grub and worm foraging. Skunks are nocturnal but will occasionally forage during the day, particularly if they have young ones to feed.

Hints for keeping skunks away

Wild Turkeys

Although turkeys typically don't cause substantial damage, they may gather in large groups, consisting of up to 20 to 30 animals, in the late summer, autumn, and winter. Consequently, you may find their presence harming lawns seeded with grass, landscaped areas, or gardens. Nevertheless, research has demonstrated that the vast majority of the perceived damage caused by turkeys is actually the result of other creatures like raccoons, deer, or voles. Other birds, such as crows and jays, may also destroy your lawn.

Ways to deter wild turkeys from entering your yard

Additional Animals

It's common to attribute holes or burrowing in your yard to various animals, such as opossums or snakes, or even coyotes. However, these animals usually prefer to inhabit existing animal burrows rather than dig their own.

When It's Time to Employ Nuisance Wildlife Specialists

If you're grappling with a recurring wildlife issue or damage you cannot clearly identify, or if an animal has set up a den close to or beneath your home, you may benefit from consulting a professional in wildlife removal. Reach out to your state's wildlife department for assistance.

For help in identifying the wildlife in your area, you can consult your local university extension service, such as SouthernLiving's partner, the University of Missouri's extension service, which is led by Robert Pierce, PhD, an associate professor and state extension fisheries and wildlife specialist.
If you're having trouble determining the cause of plant problems in your garden, consider the activities and entertainment that animals and wildlife in your region might be engaging in, as they could be the culprits.
In addition to identifying garden pests, it's essential to be aware of the potential nuisances that animals and wildlife can pose, such as the damage that voles, a common garden pest, can inflict.
To enhance your gardening experience, you may find various gardening ideas in magazines like SouthernLiving, which also provide insights into the Culture and Lifestyle of different regions, such as the Southern United States, and their unique outdoor recreation opportunities.