Conical holes or large patches of disturbed turf appearing overnight are common signs of nocturnal wildlife searching for food. This damage results from animals detecting and systematically digging to access subterranean insects. The specific pattern of the damage often reveals the identity of the animal responsible. This behavior is driven by the need for fats and proteins readily found in insect larvae.
Identifying the Primary Culprits
The two most frequent suburban animals responsible for digging in lawns are the striped skunk and the raccoon, and they leave distinct calling cards. Skunks use their long claws and exceptional sense of smell to pinpoint buried insects. They typically create small, neat, cone-shaped holes, often three to four inches in diameter, that look like small divots from an aerator tool. These shallow holes show where the skunk pushed its nose into the ground to scoop out a single meal.
Raccoons, by contrast, are known for their highly dexterous front paws, which they use more like hands. When hunting for insects, raccoons will often peel back or roll up large pieces of sod like a carpet to access the food source underneath. This activity leaves behind a much more destructive and obvious mess, frequently resulting in large sections of torn-up turf.
The Hidden Prey: Ground-Nesting Insects
The phrase “ground bees” often describes a variety of ground-nesting insects, many of which are the true target of the digging animals. The primary high-calorie food source being sought is the larvae (grubs) of beetles like June bugs and Japanese beetles, which live just beneath the soil surface. Animals also target the protein-rich larvae found in the nests of true ground-nesting bees and wasps.
True ground bees, such as solitary mining bees, are beneficial pollinators and are typically docile. Each female constructs her own individual nest tunnel. In contrast, yellow jacket wasps, often mistakenly called ground bees, are social insects that build large, communal nests in ground cavities. The larvae in these communal nests, along with beetle grubs, represent a dense, high-protein cache irresistible to foraging animals. Skunks, in particular, tolerate stings due to their thick fur, allowing them to effectively raid these nests for the nutrient-dense larvae.
Humane Ways to Stop the Digging
Addressing the underlying food source is the most effective long-term solution, as animals will continue to return as long as they can smell the insects. If the digging is due to beetle grubs, treating the lawn with a grub control product, such as beneficial nematodes, eliminates the attractant. Nematodes are microscopic organisms that prey on grubs and should be applied when the grubs are young, typically in late summer or early fall.
To stop the immediate nocturnal damage, humane, non-lethal deterrents can be highly effective against both skunks and raccoons. Physical barriers, such as securing chicken wire or bird netting over the damaged areas with landscape staples, make digging physically difficult for the animals. Motion-activated devices, like sprinklers that spray a burst of water or bright floodlights, can startle the animals and discourage them from returning to the area. Finally, scent-based repellents, such as scattering cayenne pepper or citrus peels, or applying commercial products containing predator urine, create an unpleasant environment that encourages the animals to forage elsewhere.