The sight of a freshly dug, damaged lawn in the morning often points to the nocturnal activities of local wildlife. This damage is typically a focused search for food by opportunistic urban dwellers. Raccoons, known for their adaptability and dexterity, are frequently responsible for this overnight destruction. Understanding the signs of a raccoon’s visit, their motivations for digging, and applying targeted countermeasures can help restore your lawn and prevent future damage.
Confirming the Culprit
Correctly identifying the animal causing the damage is the first step, as other nocturnal animals like skunks or opossums also forage in lawns. Raccoon damage is distinct because they use their sensitive front paws like hands to lift and peel back sections of turf. This results in large patches of sod that look like they have been rolled back or torn up in irregular mats, revealing the soil beneath.
In contrast, skunks typically leave small, shallow, cone-shaped holes or divots less than three inches deep, created as they push their noses into the soil. Raccoon tracks are unique, often described as miniature human handprints with five long, slender toes. The front paw print measures about two to three inches across, with the inner toe set slightly further back.
Raccoons may also leave scat, or droppings, frequently deposited in communal areas called latrines. Locating these distinct signs provides a definitive diagnosis that the masked bandit is responsible for the damage.
The Raccoon’s Menu Why They Dig
The primary motivation behind a raccoon’s lawn excavation is the drive to find and consume high-calorie invertebrate prey located just beneath the soil surface. Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores, and their sensitive sense of smell allows them to detect food sources that humans cannot easily perceive. They follow this scent directly to their underground buffet, which often consists of earthworms and various soil-dwelling insects.
The most common target is the white grub, the larva of beetles like the Japanese beetle or June bug. These C-shaped larvae feed on grass roots. A density of only five or more grubs per square foot is enough to attract the raccoons’ attention.
The digging behavior often intensifies in the late summer and fall when grubs mature and move closer to the surface, making them easier targets. The raccoon’s olfactory detection combined with the presence of a protein-rich food source results in the ripping up of turf.
Even a healthy lawn can harbor enough grubs to make it an attractive feeding ground, as turf can tolerate up to 20 grubs per square foot without visible damage. The animal will return repeatedly until the food source is exhausted.
Stopping the Digging Simple Deterrents
Immediate action should focus on techniques designed to make your yard less appealing and less accessible to the nightly forager. Start with habitat modification by removing all external food attractants that supplement the raccoon’s diet.
Habitat Modification
This involves securing trash cans with tight-fitting or locking lids, never leaving pet food or water bowls outside overnight, and promptly cleaning up fallen fruit from trees.
Physical Barriers
A highly effective physical deterrent is to cover the affected areas of the lawn with a temporary barrier. Laying down chicken wire, hardware cloth, or bird netting and securing it with landscape staples or bricks makes it difficult for the raccoon to access the soil. This barrier should remain in place until the foraging habit is broken.
Sensory Deterrents
For a non-physical approach, motion-activated sprinklers or bright lights can provide a sudden, startling surprise that encourages the animal to find food elsewhere. Raccoons dislike being unexpectedly sprayed with water, and these devices are easily installed in strategic locations.
Taste and scent repellents can also be used, leveraging the raccoon’s sensitive nose with pungent odors. Examples include ammonia-soaked rags or a spray made from cayenne pepper mixed with water and dish soap. These treatments require persistent reapplication as the scent fades quickly.