Skunks are nocturnal foragers that use their acute sense of smell to locate white grubs and other insects living just beneath the turf. These animals create characteristic damage by pushing their noses into the soil and digging small, cone-shaped holes, typically 3 to 4 inches wide, as they search for larvae. When a lawn has a high concentration of grubs, this feeding behavior can result in dozens of scattered divots or patches of peeled-back turf appearing overnight. Successful restoration requires a multi-step approach that addresses the physical disruption while also eliminating the underlying cause.
Assessing and Preparing the Damaged Area
Before any new grass can be established, the disturbed soil needs careful attention to create a stable base. Identify the scope of the damage, noting that skunk activity often concentrates where grubs are most prevalent. Small, isolated divots can be filled and smoothed, but larger sections of ripped or flipped sod require more intensive preparation.
Clear the area of loose debris, including dead grass, soil clumps, or dried turf pieces. If the turf has been flipped but is still moist, push it immediately back into place and firm it down to encourage re-rooting. For heavily churned soil, use a rake to break up large clods and level the surface. The goal is to create a firm, even seedbed approximately a quarter-inch below the surrounding, undamaged turf.
Restoring the Lawn Surface
Repairing the surface involves choosing between two methods: using grass seed or patching with sod. The best time for either repair is late summer to early fall when moderate temperatures and consistent rainfall favor grass establishment.
For minor damage and small, scattered areas, seeding is the more economical option. Select a seed blend that matches your existing turf type, and spread it over the prepared soil at the recommended rate for bare-spot repair. Lightly cover the seed with a thin layer of topdressing, such as peat moss or compost, to help retain moisture and prevent the seed from washing away.
If the damage is extensive, covering large, contiguous sections, patching with sod provides instant results. Cut the new sod pieces to precisely fit the contours of the damaged area, ensuring the edges meet snugly against the existing lawn. Press the sod firmly into the prepared soil to guarantee good root-to-soil contact, which is essential for the turf to take root quickly.
Ensuring Successful Regrowth
The period immediately following the repair is when the new grass is most vulnerable and requires specific nurturing to establish itself successfully. The watering regimen must be tailored to the repair method chosen to promote deep, strong root development.
Newly seeded areas require frequent, light watering several times a day to keep the top quarter-inch of soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge. Once the grass is established and reaches a height of about 2 inches, gradually reduce the frequency of watering while increasing the duration to encourage deeper root growth. New sod needs deep, consistent soaking immediately after installation to prevent the root mat from drying out.
Applying a starter fertilizer, which is high in phosphorus, will provide the newly establishing roots with the necessary nutrients for growth. The repaired patches must be protected from foot traffic and mowing until the new grass or sod is firmly rooted, which typically takes four to six weeks.
Preventing Skunks from Digging Again
Successfully repairing the lawn is only a temporary fix if the underlying attraction, the presence of grubs, is not addressed. Skunks are attracted to an area when the grub population reaches a density of five or more larvae per square foot.
The most effective long-term strategy is a preventative grub control treatment applied in late summer or early fall. This timing, usually August or September, is when the grubs are small and feeding near the surface, making them most susceptible to treatment.
Short-Term Deterrents
In the short term, cultural deterrents can discourage skunks from revisiting the repaired area.
- Placing plastic-coated chicken wire or bird netting over the newly repaired patches and securing the edges to the ground makes it physically difficult for the animals to dig.
- Removing other potential food sources, such as fallen fruit, unsecured garbage, or pet food left outdoors, reduces the overall appeal of the yard to foraging wildlife.