What are the most common types of animals that dig up the yard?

During the fall, animals work hard so that they can pick up as many calories as they can so that they may survive the winter. When they are fatter, they have a better chance of surviving the harsh elements. During the spring, these animals will be trying to pack on the weight. The number one reason why the animals may dig in your yard is to get food. If you want to learn about the animal that is digging at your place, you should start by observing what the holes they dug look like.

Shallow holes with loosened soil

A skunk is known to be the cause of these types of holes. The disruption of the soil takes place during the night since the skunks normally feed during the night. The hole is the size of the nose of the skunk. A skunk presses the nose within the soil to dig using the front claws. The skunk wants to get the food under the surface. When there are different holes, the area may look as if it was tilled. In the fall or the growing season, the skunk wants to get grubs or earthworms and other types of soil insects.

Sod chunks that were ripped up before being flipped over

The raccoon’s diet is similar to that of the skunk. However, the raccoons dig using their front paws that look like hands. They pull up and then flip over the sod pieces. The behavior is common with sod that has been newly laid or the grass that has shallow roots. Ripping and then tearing becomes easy. Both skunks and raccoons feed during the night, but if it is a skunk, you may smell the skunk odor.

Loose soil mounds

Moles make piles of soil at the surface since they will be pushing the soil up. They do not make visible holes. A mole can work under the surface and he will push the soil up so that it can make an air vent. In the winter, the moles will push up the piles full of soil looking for the earthworms to feed on.

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