Finding holes in a lawn or garden is a common frustration for homeowners. The appearance of displaced soil and uneven turf signals an unwelcome visitor has been at work. Identifying the specific animal responsible requires careful observation, as the size, shape, and pattern of the excavation are distinct. A small, clean puncture suggests a different culprit than a large mound of soil pushed up from below. Understanding these physical characteristics is the first step in determining the proper course of action.
Deep Tunnels and Distinct Mounds
Large-scale yard damage involving extensive subsurface tunneling and significant soil mounds usually points to either moles or gophers. While both animals live beneath the ground, their digging styles and the resulting mounds are noticeably different. Moles are insectivores whose tunneling creates a network of shallow runways, often seen as raised ridges across the lawn’s surface that feel spongy when walked upon.
The mounds moles create are typically small, volcano-shaped, and symmetrical, with the entry hole often plugged and hard to see in the center. Mole tunnels can be extensive, sometimes reaching depths of 16 to 18 inches, as the animals search for earthworms and grubs. Gophers, by contrast, are rodents that produce larger, more noticeable mounds that are typically fan-shaped or crescent-shaped.
Gopher mounds are formed when the animal pushes soil out of a lateral tunnel, creating a distinct off-center plug of dirt that covers the entrance. Their tunnel systems are generally deeper than mole runways, ranging from 4 to 18 inches below the surface, and are focused on accessing plant roots, which make up their primary diet. Numerous, large, plugged mounds indicate gopher activity, while raised ridges and smaller, symmetrical hills suggest a mole is at work.
Shallow, Conical Foraging Holes
Some animals dig short-term holes primarily for food, rather than creating permanent shelter or extensive tunnel systems. This activity results in numerous, shallow excavations scattered across the turf. Skunks are a common source of this damage, leaving small, neat, conical holes, often described as the size of a golf ball or a couple of inches in diameter.
These shallow divots are created when the skunk presses its nose to the soil and uses its front claws to hunt for subsurface insects, such as beetle grubs. Raccoons also forage for grubs and other food sources, but they cause more extensive damage with their powerful forepaws. Their digging often involves tearing up and flipping patches of sod to access food, resulting in larger, messier patches of turf than the neat holes left by skunks.
Small, shallow scrapes or scratch marks in the soil, often near trees or garden beds, can be attributed to squirrels. These animals create small depressions when burying or retrieving nuts and seeds for storage. The resulting holes are usually quickly plugged with soil or debris after the item has been cached or found. The pattern of damage, whether small, uniform holes or larger, torn-up patches, helps distinguish between these foragers.
Small, Clean Entry Points
Smaller, less disruptive holes indicate the presence of different subterranean inhabitants. Voles, which are small rodents, create clean, open entry points into their burrow systems that are typically about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. These holes rarely have mounds of dirt surrounding the entrance, appearing instead as simple punctures in the soil.
Vole activity is also marked by a network of narrow, above-ground runways, or pathways, that wind through the grass, especially under dense cover. These runways connect the burrow entrances to feeding areas, creating distinct, visible trenches in the lawn. Smaller still are the holes created by various insects, which are often pencil-diameter or about one-half inch wide.
Cicada nymphs dig these small emergence holes as they prepare to leave the ground after their long development phase. In areas with moist soil, cicadas sometimes construct small mud “chimneys” or turrets around the exit hole. Ground-nesting bees and spiders also create very small, scattered openings that lack the surrounding dirt piles or extensive tunnel systems of larger mammals.
Interpreting the Damage and Next Steps
The nature of the holes provides a direct diagnosis of the underlying issue, allowing for a focused response. If the damage involves a grid of deep tunnels and large soil mounds, the problem is structural, involving animals that live primarily underground, such as moles or gophers. Conversely, if the yard features numerous shallow, scattered holes or torn-up patches, the issue is likely food-related, signaling animals foraging for grubs or nuts near the surface.
Clean, small punctures accompanied by visible surface runways indicate a different concern, often pointing toward voles or seasonal insects like cicadas. The solution must be tailored to the animal’s behavior and diet. For instance, shallow foraging holes may be mitigated by treating the lawn for the insects the animals are seeking.
Tunnels created by moles or gophers require methods focused on exclusion or removal to prevent further structural damage. Small insect emergence holes are generally seasonal and resolve themselves naturally, requiring no intervention. Accurately identifying the culprit transforms the problem from a mystery of random holes to a solvable pest management issue.