What Is Digging Up My Plants At Night

You go to bed with a tidy garden and wake up to a scene of chaos. Plants are toppled, holes are dug, and your hard work is ruined. If you’re wondering what is digging up my plants at night, you’re not alone. This is a common and frustrating problem for gardeners. The cover of darkness hides a variety of creatures looking for a meal or a place to burrow. Let’s identify the usual suspects and figure out how to send them packing.

Pinpointing the culprit is the first step to a solution. Different animals leave different clues. Look at the damage closely. The size of the holes, the type of plants affected, and even the footprints left behind can tell you a lot.

Common Nighttime Garden Raiders

Here are the most likely animals disturbing your garden after dark.

Raccoons: These masked bandits are strong and clever. They dig for grubs and worms, often rolling up newly laid sod or tearing apart loose soil. Their paws look like small human hands, and they might also raid your compost bin.
Skunks: Skunks dig small, cone-shaped holes in search of insect larvae. Their damage is usually less destructive than a raccoon’s, but the holes can be everywhere. You might also notice their distinct odor if you startled them.
Opossums: More scavenger than digger, opossums might root around in soft soil for bugs and fallen fruit. They are generally less destructive but can disturb mulch and shallow-planted seeds.
Armadillos: In warmer regions, armadillos are a prime suspect. They dig long, narrow trenches as they root for insects, which can severely damage plant roots and lawns.
Squirrels: Though active by day, they sometimes bury or dig up nuts at dawn or dusk. They create small, shallow holes and are notorious for digging in potted plants.
Cats: Neighborhod cats use soft garden soil as a litter box. They dig small holes and leave, well, evidence behind. This can be harmful to root systems and is unsanitary for edible plants.
Moles and Voles: Moles make raised tunnels and volcano-shaped mounds while hunting worms. Voles, which are like stocky mice, create runways on the surface and gnaw on plant roots and bark. They are often active day and night.
Birds: Crows, robins, and other large birds can scratch up seedlings and mulch looking for insects, especially in the early morning.

How to Investigate the Damage

Be a garden detective. Go out first thing in the morning to examine the fresh evidence.

Check the Hole Size: Small, cone-shaped holes often mean skunks. Large, torn-up areas point to raccoons or armadillos. Tiny holes in pots are likely squirrels.
Look for Tracks: Smooth the soil near the damage and sprinkle a light layer of flour. Check the next morning for footprints.
Note the Plants Affected: Are only your bulbs gone? Squirrels love them. Are the roots eaten? Think voles. Is the lawn peeled back? That’s classic raccoon behavior.
Consider the Time of Year: Damage is often worse in late summer and fall when animals are fattening up, and in spring when they are feeding new young.

Effective Prevention and Deterrents

Once you know who’s visiting, you can choose the right strategy. A combination of methods usually works best.

Physical Barriers (The Most Reliable Method)

Blocking access is often the surest fix. It requires some effort but gives lasting results.

Fencing: Bury hardware cloth or chicken wire at least a foot deep and angle it outward to stop diggers. For raccoons, an electric wire near the top of a fence can be very effective.
Plant Cages: Use wire cloches or cages around individual plants, especially tender seedlings and prized vegetables.
Row Covers: Lightweight fabric row covers allow sun and water in but keep pests out. Secure the edges well.
Mulch with Sharp Edges: Oak leaf mulch or pine straw can be uncomfortable for soft-pawed animals to walk on. Avoid soft, fine mulches like cocoa hulls.

Natural Repellents and Scare Tactics

These methods make your garden less appealing or startle intruders away. You need to rotate them regularly so animals don’t get used to them.

Motion-Activated Sprinklers: These are excellent for startling a wide range of animals. The sudden spray of water is surprising and harmless.
Lights and Noise: A simple solar light or a radio talk show left on low volume can deter nocturnal creatures who prefer quite darkness.
Smell Deterrents: Sprinkle cayenne pepper or a commercial garlic-based repellent around plants. Soak rags in ammonia or vinegar and place them in strategic spots (reapply after rain). Predator urine (like coyote) granules can also work.
Remove the Food Source: Treat your lawn for grubs to remove a major food for skunks and raccoons. Keep fallen fruit picked up.

Humane Trapping and Relocation

Trapping should be a last resort. It requires checking traps daily and knowing your local wildlife laws. Relocating an animal is often illegal and can be a death sentence, as it’s dropped into unfamiliar territory. If you have a severe problem, contact a licensed wildlife professional for advice. They can handle the situation safely and legally.

Long-Term Garden Planning

Design your garden to be less inviting to pests from the start. Some plants are naturally less appetizing to animals. Strongly scented herbs like lavender, rosemary, and mint can sometimes mask the smell of more desirable plants. Marigolds and alliums (like onions and garlic) are also known to repel certain pests. A tidy garden with no brush piles or tall grass removes hiding spots for many animals.

Remember, persistence is key. Animals are creatures of habit, and it may take a week or two of consistent deterrence to convince them your garden isn’t worth the trouble. Don’t give up if one method doesn’t work immediately; try combining a few. Your peaceful, intact morning garden is worth the effort.

FAQ: Nighttime Garden Pests

What animal is digging holes in my garden at night?
The most common are raccoons, skunks, and armadillos (in the South). Look at the hole shape and size for clues.

How do I stop animals from digging up my potted plants?
Cover the soil surface with large, rough stones or a layer of chicken wire cut to fit the pot. You can also use commercial repellent sprays.

What is making small holes in my lawn overnight?
Small, neat holes are often from birds or squirrels. Cone-shaped holes are typical of skunks digging for grubs.

Will coffee grounds keep animals out of the garden?
They can help. The strong smell may deter some pests like cats and rabbits, and it adds nitrogen to your soil. But it’s not a foolproof solution on it’s own.

Do ultrasonic repellents work for garden pests?
Reviews are mixed. Some animals may be bothered by the high-frequency sound, but many quickly habituate to it, and the sound range can be very limited.

What can I put in my garden to keep raccoons away?
Secure fencing with an electric wire or a motion-activated sprinkler are most effective. Also, eliminate all other food sources like pet food and unsecured trash cans.