What Is Digging Holes in My Yard?

Identify first. Control second.

Knowing what animal is causing the damage can help you choose the appropriate trap, bait and control method—and avoid wasting time trying to solve the wrong problem. Not all holes in your yard mean the same thing. A small hole near a tree, a shallow depression in the lawn, a large burrow beside your foundation, or a series of cone-shaped digs can all point to different animals.

Backyard Baits™ is designed specifically with the homeowner in mind with animal-specific baits for common backyard nuisance situations, with an emphasis on understanding the animal, its habits and the damage it causes. We are here to help homeowners, gardeners and property owners better understand common nuisance animals and take a practical, responsible approach to controlling them.

ARMADILLO
Armadillos are accomplished diggers and can leave multiple small-to-medium holes throughout a lawn as they search for insects and other food. Damage can appear scattered rather than concentrated around one particular burrow.

Look for: Numerous fresh holes, overturned soil and nighttime activity.

Control Guide: North American Trapper Cage Trapping with our Backyard Baits Armadillo Bait

CHIPMUNK

Chipmunks create small burrow entrances that may be found around:  Foundations, Steps, Patios, Stone walls, Woodpiles, Gardens and more. Their entrances are typically much smaller than a groundhog hole and may have little obvious dirt piled around them.

Look for: Small, neat openings and repeated activity around structures.

Control Guide: North American Trapper Cage Trapping with our Backyard Baits Chipmunk Bait

GROUNDHOG

A large, clean-looking hole—often 6–12 inches across—with a substantial amount of excavated dirt may indicate a groundhog.

Groundhogs commonly establish burrows along: Foundations, Retaining walls, Rock piles, Decks and sheds, Garden edges, Woodpiles and more. Groundhog damage can include undermined structures, damaged gardens and extensive digging.

Look for: A large entrance, fresh dirt, vegetation damage and additional escape holes nearby.

Control Guide: North American Trapper Cage Trapping with our Backyard Baits Groundhog Bait

MICE & VOLES

Raised tunnels, narrow runways and surface disturbance can indicate animals traveling beneath the lawn rather than digging obvious open holes.

Important: Not every hole or mound is caused by a nuisance animal that should be trapped. In some situations, insects, drainage, erosion or normal landscape activity may be responsible.

Control Guide: North American Trapper Mouse traps with our Backyard Baits Mouse #1 & Mouse #2 Bait

RABBIT

Rabbit problems don't always involve obvious digging. In gardens, homeowners may first notice missing plants, clipped stems and damaged vegetables.

Small depressions or disturbed soil can sometimes accompany rabbit activity, but plant damage is usually the more useful clue.

Look for: Cleanly clipped vegetation, tracks, droppings and feeding activity around gardens.

Control Guide: North American Trapper Cage Trapping with our Backyard Baits Rabbit Bait

RACCOON

Raccoons are powerful diggers and can cause considerable damage while searching for insects, grubs and other food. Instead of one large permanent burrow, raccoon damage is often characterized by multiple disturbed areas.

You may find: Rolled-back sections of sod, Small to medium holes, Turned-over soil, Damaged gardens, Disturbed mulch and more.

Look for: Overnight damage, tracks, droppings and evidence of repeated nighttime activity.

Control Guide: North American TrapperCage Trapping with our Backyard Baits Raccoon #1 or Raccoon #2 Bait

SKUNK

If you wake up to a lawn covered with small, shallow holes, skunks may be searching beneath the grass for grubs and other food. The holes can look as though someone has punched the lawn with a small tool. Skunk digging is particularly noticeable when several fresh holes appear across a lawn overnight.

Look for: Small cone-shaped holes, disturbed grass and soil, especially in areas with healthy turf.

Control Guide: North American Trapper Cage Trapping with our Backyard Baits Skunk Bait

SQUIRREL

Squirrels frequently dig small holes while burying or recovering nuts and other food.

These holes are generally much smaller than a groundhog burrow and may appear throughout lawns, flower beds and landscaped areas.

Look for: Small holes, scattered locations, disturbed mulch and activity around trees.

Control Guide: North American Trapper Cage Trapping with our Backyard Baits Squirrel Bait