When you go out in your yard or garden this spring, you may see holes in the ground and wonder what caused them. If they were not created by your dog, a wild animal is most likely to blame. Different animals leave distinctive signs of disturbance in the ground as they search for food or shelter.
Skunks
Skunks dig to search for earthworms, grubs, and insects, as well as other food sources. When skunks dig, they leave behind shallow holes surrounded by loose soil. A skunk will press its nose into the soil and use its front claws to dig for food. You may see the holes in the morning if they were created by a skunk the previous night. The ground may be covered with dozens of holes.
Raccoons
Raccoons also dig up the ground in a search for food, but they do it in a different way than skunks. Raccoons use their front paws to pull and flip sod, especially new grass. If a raccoon and a skunk are searching for food in the same area at night, the skunk may spray to ward off the raccoon. You may notice the small of skunk spray in the morning.
Moles
Moles feed on earthworms, grubs, and insects that live in the soil. Moles dig up soil from below by creating tunnels. They push the soil up, but there are no visible holes left in the ground.
What to Do If an Animal Is Digging up Your Lawn or Garden
A wild animal digging up your yard can create a huge mess that can ruin the appearance of your grass and destroy your garden. If an animal is digging up the ground outside your Connecticut home, you should have it removed as soon as possible, before the digging gets worse. You should not try to catch a wild animal yourself because you could get bitten, scratched, or sprayed.
Call the professionals at Anderson Wildlife Control to have the wild animal removed from your property. We will live-trap and relocate the animal to another place so it will not cause any further damage to your property. We use humane and environmentally friendly methods and never harm the animals we capture. Contact Anderson Wildlife Control today to get an estimate for wildlife removal services.