What Is Digging in My Yard? Common Animals and Pests That Cause Lawn Damage

Discovering holes or disturbed areas in your yard can be frustrating for homeowners. One day your lawn looks perfect, and the next you notice small holes, raised soil, or patches of damaged grass. Many animals and pests dig in yards while searching for food, shelter, or nesting sites.

Understanding what may be digging in your yard is the first step toward solving the problem and protecting your property.

Why Animals Dig in Lawns

Most animals dig because they are searching for food sources beneath the soil. Many insects and grubs live underground and provide an easy meal for wildlife. Other animals dig to create burrows or shelter, while some are simply looking for a safe place to hide or store food.

Common food sources that attract digging animals include:

• Grubs and beetle larvae

• Earthworms

• Ants and other insects

• Plant roots and seeds

If your lawn has an abundance of these food sources, it may attract animals that are eager to dig.

Moles

Moles are one of the most common causes of digging damage in lawns. Instead of digging visible holes, moles typically create raised tunnels or ridges across the lawn as they move underground.

Signs of mole activity:

• Raised ridges in the soil

• Soft, spongy areas in the lawn

• Small volcano-shaped mounds of dirt

Moles primarily feed on grubs and earthworms, so lawns with a large grub population are especially attractive to them.

Voles

Voles are small rodents that resemble mice but spend much of their time underground. They create shallow tunnels and can damage both grass and plant roots.

Signs of vole activity:

• Narrow runways in grass or mulch

• Small holes near garden beds

• Chewed plant roots or bark

Voles can multiply quickly and may cause significant damage to gardens and landscaping.

Armadillos

In warmer regions such as the southeastern United States, armadillos are a common cause of digging in yards. They dig shallow holes while searching for insects, grubs, and worms.

Signs of armadillo activity:

• Several small holes scattered throughout the yard

• Holes about 3–5 inches deep

• Damage appearing overnight

Armadillos are mostly active at night, so homeowners often see the damage before they ever see the animal.

Raccoons

Raccoons are intelligent animals that often dig or roll back sections of turf to find grubs and insects beneath the soil.

Signs of raccoon activity:

• Large patches of flipped grass or sod

• Torn lawn areas

• Damage appearing overnight

Raccoons may also dig in gardens, compost areas, or trash cans if they find food nearby.

Skunks

Skunks commonly dig small cone-shaped holes while searching for insects and grubs in the soil.

Signs of skunk activity:

• Small shallow holes in the lawn

• Cone-shaped digging marks

• Strong skunk odor in the area

Although the holes are usually small, they can quickly add up across a yard.

Squirrels

Squirrels frequently dig small holes in lawns and flower beds to bury or retrieve nuts and seeds.

Signs of squirrel activity:

• Small shallow holes in loose soil

• Holes appearing in gardens or mulch beds

• Buried food items such as acorns or seeds

These holes are usually minor but can become numerous in areas with large squirrel populations.

Insects and Grubs

Sometimes the problem isn’t the animals digging—it’s what they’re digging for. Lawns with high populations of grubs or insects can attract multiple animals searching for food.

Common pests that attract digging animals include:

• Beetle grubs

• Ant colonies

• Beetles and larvae

• Other soil-dwelling insects

Treating these underlying pest issues can help reduce wildlife activity in your yard.

How Pest Control Can Help

Professional pest control services can identify whether the problem is caused by insects, rodents, or wildlife. Treating grub infestations, ant colonies, or other pests in the soil often removes the main food source that attracts digging animals in the first place.

Pest professionals can also help homeowners:

• Identify the type of pest causing the damage

• Reduce insect populations in the soil

• Provide preventative treatments to protect the lawn

Protecting Your Yard

If you’re noticing holes, tunnels, or disturbed soil in your yard, it’s important to address the issue early before the damage spreads. Identifying the cause of the digging and treating the underlying pest problem can help restore your lawn and prevent further activity.

Working with a professional pest control company ensures the problem is handled safely and effectively, keeping your yard healthy and your property protected.