Raccoons are highly adaptable omnivores that thrive in diverse environments, from forests to urban neighborhoods. Their diet is incredibly varied, including everything from fruits and nuts to small mammals and insects. When a lawn hosts a large population of white grubs, the larvae of scarab beetles, it becomes an irresistible foraging ground for these nocturnal animals. A high density of grubs, often more than five per square foot of soil, signals a readily available, high-protein food source that raccoons can easily access. This presence of buried larvae is the primary reason raccoons begin tearing up well-kept lawns, a behavior that can cause extensive damage overnight.
Yes, Raccoons Actively Hunt Grubs
Raccoons actively seek out and consume white grubs, which are a concentrated source of protein and fat necessary for their diet, particularly in late summer and fall as they prepare for winter. They use their strong sense of smell to locate the larvae beneath the turf, often detecting the grubs themselves or the odor of their fecal matter. Once a patch is located, the raccoon employs its highly sensitive and dexterous front paws to lift and peel back sections of sod.
This feeding method allows them to expose the grubs, which they then consume directly from the soil. The raccoon’s technique is less about digging a deep hole and more about rapidly flipping the turf layer, treating the sod like a loose carpet. They will return repeatedly to the same area until the food source is depleted, leading to cumulative and widespread lawn destruction.
Identifying Raccoon Lawn Digging Damage
The appearance of the damage can help identify the culprit, as raccoon activity is distinct from other common grub predators. Raccoons are known for peeling back or rolling up large, irregular strips of sod, sometimes leaving behind substantial mats of grass completely detached from the soil. This damage looks messy and widespread, often covering significant portions of the lawn in a single night. The loose, detached sod is a telltale sign of a raccoon’s powerful, hand-like foraging method.
This pattern differs from the work of skunks, which also hunt grubs but typically leave behind small, conical holes approximately three to four inches in diameter. Birds, such as crows, may also hunt grubs, creating smaller, less invasive divots as they methodically pluck individual larvae from the surface. Finding the characteristic large, peeled-back sections of turf is a strong indication that raccoons have been feeding on a high concentration of grubs.
Eliminating the Grub Food Source
Addressing the grub population is the most effective long-term solution to stop raccoons from digging in the lawn. Grub control can be achieved through both chemical and biological methods, but timing is a factor for maximum effectiveness.
Chemical Treatments
Preventative chemical treatments containing active ingredients like imidacloprid or chlorantraniliprole are best applied in late spring or early summer to target newly hatched larvae before they begin to cause root damage and attract predators. These systemic insecticides move into the grass roots, killing the young grubs as they feed. Curative treatments, such as products containing trichlorfon, are designed to kill larger, more mature grubs and should be applied in late summer or early fall when the larvae are actively feeding near the soil surface.
Biological Controls
Biological controls, such as beneficial nematodes, are microscopic worms that parasitize the grubs and are safe for people and pets. These should ideally be applied in late summer or early fall when the soil is warm and the grubs are young and susceptible. They generally take longer to establish results than chemical options. Following application of any treatment, watering the lawn is necessary to move the product down into the root zone where the grubs reside.
Deterring Raccoons from Your Yard
While grub control works to eliminate the primary attractant, immediate steps can be taken to discourage raccoons while treatments take effect. Physical exclusion is often the most reliable non-lethal method; temporarily securing a lightweight fence or plastic netting over the damaged area can prevent the animals from accessing the soil. These barriers can be pinned to the ground with landscape staples, making it difficult for the raccoon to use its paws to peel back the sod.
Sensory deterrents can also be used to make the area less appealing for foraging. Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can startle raccoons away when they enter the yard at night, leveraging their nocturnal habits. Additionally, removing all other potential food sources is important. This includes securing trash can lids with bungee cords, bringing pet food indoors at night, and promptly clearing any fallen fruit from trees.