Torn, rolled-back, or dug-up sections of turf signal that nocturnal wildlife has been foraging on the property. This damage almost always occurs when animals search for a dense, high-protein food source: underground insects, primarily white grubs (beetle larvae). Identifying the animal responsible and its motivation is the first step toward protecting the lawn from further destruction.
Primary Culprits and Their Foraging Methods
Raccoons and skunks are the two most frequent animals responsible for tearing up residential lawns in search of food. Both species are highly motivated by the scent of insect larvae, which they detect with their keen sense of smell, but their foraging behavior results in distinct damage patterns. Raccoons use their dexterity to lift and flip pieces of sod, resulting in large, messy sections of grass being rolled back. A single raccoon can cause extensive damage overnight while searching for grubs.
Skunks are less adept at manipulating turf and rely on their strong claws and noses to dig. They create multiple small, pointed, conical holes, typically one to three inches deep, across the affected area. These small digs occur when the skunk pushes its nose into the grass and scoops out the soil to reach the larvae.
Identifying Specific Damage Signatures
Distinguishing between the damage patterns confirms the animal culprit. Raccoon damage is characterized by large, scattered pieces of sod flipped over or peeled back from the surface. These disturbed areas can cover several square feet. Skunk damage presents as numerous, smaller disturbances, often described as shallow divots or cone-shaped holes, usually no larger than a quarter in diameter. Unlike tunnels created by moles, the damage from both skunks and raccoons focuses on tearing the grass layer to access organisms below.
Eradicating the Underlying Food Source
Since white grubs motivate the damage, the most effective long-term solution is eliminating this food source. White grubs are the larval stage of scarab beetles, such as the Japanese beetle, and they feed on grass roots from late summer through the fall. Wildlife foraging intensifies when grub populations exceed five or more grubs per square foot of turf.
Timing Grub Control
Timing is important when applying treatments due to the beetle’s life cycle. Preventative chemical controls, meant to stop eggs from hatching, are most effective in early to mid-summer (June to July). Curative treatments, which kill feeding grubs, are best used in late summer or early fall (August or September) when larvae are actively feeding near the soil surface.
Control Methods
Chemical controls use active ingredients like imidacloprid for prevention or trichlorfon for curative measures. Biological controls utilize beneficial organisms like entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora). These microscopic worms should be applied in late summer or early fall to target young, newly hatched grubs, as spring applications are ineffective.
Safe and Humane Deterrents
Immediate measures are needed to discourage animals from returning nightly while waiting for grub control to take effect. Exclusion is an effective non-lethal method, involving physical barriers. Laying down chicken wire or light wire mesh, secured with landscape staples, prevents animals from flipping the sod.
Motion-activated devices, such as sprinklers or floodlights, provide a sudden, startling surprise that deters nocturnal foragers. Repellents relying on strong scents can also be used. Homemade or commercial options containing odors like cayenne pepper, castor oil, or ammonia-soaked rags make the lawn less appealing.