Something keeps digging holes in my yard — any idea what it could be?

Larger Animals & Birds
1

Hi folks,
So over the past couple of weeks, I’ve noticed small to medium-sized holes popping up all over my yard. Some are shallow, others look like something actually tunneled underneath. No obvious tracks, just disturbed soil and loose dirt around the holes.

I’m trying to figure out what I’m dealing with before I make things worse. A few things I’m wondering:

  • What animals commonly dig holes like this in residential yards?

  • Are hole size and location good clues for identification?

  • Is this likely a single animal or multiple visitors?

  • Any humane ways to stop it without hurting wildlife?

Appreciate any insights. This is driving me a little crazy.

2

Hole size matters a lot. Small cone-shaped holes usually point to skunks or raccoons hunting grubs. If they’re bigger and near fences or sheds, could be groundhogs. I’d check for grubs first.

3

I had something similar last summer and it turned out to be moles. No visible animal, just chaos underground. The raised tunnels were the giveaway for me.

4

If the holes show up overnight and look randomly scattered, skunks are a strong candidate. They dig like little rototillers when they smell insects.

5

Before assuming the worst, look at patterns. One or two holes near structures = nesting. Dozens across the lawn = feeding behavior. That usually narrows it down fast.

6

Please avoid poison or lethal traps if you can. Most of these animals are just after food. Removing attractants works better long-term.

7

I’m with @FieldGuideNick on checking for grubs first. When I treated my lawn for grubs, the digging stopped within a week. Didn’t even have to deal with the animal directly.

8

Also pay attention to hole edges. Clean and round usually means rodents. Messy and torn-up soil often means something larger like raccoons.

9

Motion-activated lights helped me a lot. Whatever was digging clearly didn’t like being exposed. Cheap fix, worth trying before going further.

10

If you’re seeing dirt mounds with no open hole, that’s almost always moles. Open holes usually mean something going in and out.

11

Good advice here. @DIYDude56 mentioning tunnels made me think, I have noticed some soft spots in the lawn. Going to inspect closer and check for grubs before doing anything drastic.

Thanks everyone, this was super helpful.