You step into your garden in the morning, ready to enjoy your hard work, and you’re met with a scene of chaos. There are holes everywhere, mounds of dirt, and your plants might be damaged. The first question on your mind is, what is digging in my garden? These unexpected nighttime visitors can be frustrating, but identifying the culprit is the first step to a peaceful coexistence or an effective solution.
Let’s look at the common suspects and the clues they leave behind. Each animal has a unique digging style, almost like a signature. By playing garden detective, you can figure out who’s visiting and why.
Clues in the Dirt: Identifying the Digger
Look closely at the damage. The size, shape, and location of the holes are your best evidence.
- Small, shallow holes in lawns: Often squirrels or birds. Squirrels dig to bury or retrieve nuts. Birds like robins poke for worms.
- Neat, cone-shaped holes: This is classic cat behavior. They dig to bury waste or sometimes just to cover it up.
- Several small holes grouped together: Could be chipmunks searching for bulbs or seeds.
- Large, messy holes or torn-up sod: Think bigger animals. Raccoons, skunks, or armadillos are likely digging for grubs.
Meet the Usual Suspects
Here’s a breakdown of the most common nighttime (and sometimes daytime) garden diggers.
Raccoons
These masked bandits are strong and clever. They dig for insect larvae, especially lawn grubs. Their holes are often uneven and look like the turf has been rolled back. They might also damage corn or fruit.
Skunks
Skunks are actually helpful for pest control, but their digging can be destructive. They create small, shallow holes in search of grubs. The holes are usually just a few inches across. You might also notice a distinct odor if one has been startled.
Armadillos
In warmer regions, armadillos are prime suspects. They dig long, narrow trenches about 1-3 inches deep and up to 5 inches wide as they root for insects. Their holes can be quite extensive.
Moles and Voles
These two are often confused. Moles make raised ridges or volcano-shaped mounds. They eat earthworms and insects. Voles, however, create clean, small holes and runways on the surface and eat plant roots and bulbs. They can cause a lot of damage to perennials.
Squirrels and Chipmunks
They dig small holes to store food. In the fall, you’ll see this activity increase. They also sometimes dig up newly planted bulbs, mistaking them for nuts they buried earlier.
Groundhogs (Woodchucks)
These large rodents are powerful diggers. They create large burrow entrances, often near fences or sheds. They venture out to eat your vegetables, leaving behind significant damage.
What Is Digging In My Garden
Now that you have a likely suspect, it’s time to take action. The goal is to make your garden less inviting. Here are humane and effective strategies.
Step 1: Remove the Food Source
Many animals dig for bugs. Treating your lawn for grubs can be a long-term fix for skunk, raccoon, and armadillo problems. Keep fallen fruit picked up and secure compost bins.
Step 2: Use Physical Barriers
- Fencing: Bury hardware cloth or chicken wire at least 10-12 inches deep and bend it outward to stop burrowers.
- Plant Cages: Protect individual plants or rows with wire cloches or cages.
- Raised Beds: These can be easier to protect with netting or fencing.
Step 3: Try Deterrents
Deterrents need to be rotated, as animals get use to them.
- Motion-Activated Sprinklers: Excellent for scaring off many mid-sized animals like raccoons and cats.
- Lights and Noise: A simple solar light or a radio talk show left on low volume at night can deter some visitors.
- Natural Repellents: Sprinkle cayenne pepper or use a commercial repellent around digging sites. Reapply after rain.
Step 4: Modify the Habitat
Make your yard less comfortable. Trim back overgrown areas where animals hide. Seal off spaces under decks or sheds where they might nest. Keeping your lawn mowed can also help you spot activity early.
A Note on Trapping
Live trapping is an option, but it requires careful planning. You must check local regulations first. Relocating an animal is often illegal and can be a death sentence for it. It also doesn’t solve the problem if another animal just moves into the now-vacant territory.
When to Call a Professional
If the damage is severe, the animal is potentially dangerous (like a rabid raccoon), or you have a persistent groundhog or mole problem, calling a licensed wildlife control professional is the best and safest choice. They can provide expert solutions.
Prevention is the Best Cure
A few proactive steps can save you a lot of trouble later on.
- Install fencing before you notice a problem, especially if you live near woods or fields.
- Start a grub control program in late summer to reduce the food source for the next spring.
- Use bulb cages when planting tulips or other tasty bulbs in the fall.
- Be consistent with deterrents; don’t give up after a few nights.
Living with Wildlife
Sometimes, a little digging is a sign of a healthy ecosystem. If the damage is minimal, you might decide to tolerate it. Many of these animals are beneficial. Skunks and raccoons eat pests, and aerating the soil is actually helpful in some cases. Finding a balance is key to a thriving garden.
Remember, patience and observation are your greatest tools. It might take a week or two of trying different methods to see what works for your specific visitor. Keep a garden journal to track what you see and which solutions have an effect.
FAQ: Garden Diggers
What is making holes in my garden at night?
It’s likely a nocturnal animal like a skunk, raccoon, or armadillo searching for food. Look at the hole size and any tracks to identify them.
How do I stop animals from digging in my flower beds?
Lay chicken wire flat just under the mulch, use prickly branches like rose clippings as a barrier, or install a low fence. Repellents can also help protect specific areas.
What animal digs small round holes in the garden?
Cats, squirrels, and chipmunks often create small, round holes. Birds can also make small holes while foraging for insects.
Why are there suddenly holes in my yard?
A new food source, like a grub infestation, can attract diggers. Changes in season, such as fall nut gathering or spring breeding, also increase activity. Nearby construction can push animals into new areas, including your garden.
Are there any plants that deter digging animals?
While no plant is a full proof deterrent, animals tend to avoid strong-smelling plants like alliums (ornamental onions), marigolds, and daffodils (which are toxic to them). Planting these around the border might offer some protection for your other plants.
Figuring out your garden’s nighttime visitors is a puzzle, but one you can solve. With careful observation and these practical steps, you can reclaim your garden and enjoy the fruits of your labor—without sharing to much with the local wildlife.