Have small holes suddenly appeared in your yard? Your initial reaction may be to just fill them in. However, before you can address the problem, you need to identify the cause of holes in your lawn. Usually, they’re burrowing holes for small creatures, like bees, warms, and voles. Here’s a look at what may have taken up residence in your yard and how you can deal with them.
What’s Causing the Holes in Your Lawn?
In most cases, holes in a yard are caused by an animal.
However, unless you manage to catch the critter in the act, you’ll need to do some detective work. Examine the holes closely and try to answer:
- Are there small dirt mounds elsewhere in the yard?
- Is it a solitary hole or connected to a tunnel or burrow?
- Is the dirt around the hole clean?
- Is nearby grass damaged, chewed, shredded, or wilted?
- What is the shape — perfect circle or irregular?
- How large is the hole?
If you’re having trouble determining what type of animal is now calling your yard “home,” you can install a trail camera to catch them in the act.
10 Critters That May Be Making Holes in Your Yard
Here are some common culprits that make holes and borrows, along with tips on how to identify exactly what has taken up residence in your yard and how you can evict them.
1. Moles
Moles create small, volcano-shaped dirt mounds when tunneling below the surface. Their tunnels are about 2 inches wide. They eat grubs and earthworms, so you might notice damage to grass roots as a result.
You can control moles with kill traps like scissors or harpoons, use repellents with castor oil or capsaicin, or by reducing their food source using grub-killing nematodes.
2. Voles
Voles bore 1 to 2-inch wide burrows near the lawn surface, which have clean, beveled edges and surface runways. They eat grass roots causing dead brown patches.
Trapping is most effective for voles. Poison baits are available but must be used carefully, especially if you have pets that go outside or roam the area. Mowing the grass short can also make your yard less attractive to these critters.
3. Crawfish
Crawfish, also known as crayfish, dig 2-inch wide, 6 to 12-inch deep holes, and the excavated dirt forms a mound of mud around the hole. They eat plants, worms, and other insects. You’ll likely only see these critters if you live near water.
Spreading insecticide over infested areas can reduce crawfish populations. Some types of birds will also eat them, so encouraging birds to visit your yard can have an impact. Carefully fill holes to avoid colony collapse.
4. Yellowjacket Wasps
Yellowjackets dig 1/2-inch wide holes to create underground nests. Nests often have multiple entrance holes in areas with abundant food and water. Watch for wasps flying in and out.
It’s best to call a pest control company to treat nests, as DIY methods can be risky.
Treatment involves applying insecticide dust or spray directly into the nest. If you tackle the job yourself, always follow the product’s instructions.
5. Cicada Killer Wasps
These large wasps dig 1/2-inch wide tunnels and deposit cicadas inside as food for larvae. Holes go straight down and may have loose soil. Cicada killers rarely sting unless provoked.
One cicada killer wasp nest isn’t a big deal and won’t excessively damage the lawn. However, if there are a lot of wasps, it can get out of control quickly. An infestation can lead to massive damage. First, mark and avoid their nesting areas for safety. If you need to get rid of cicada killer wasps, dust insecticides work well.
6. Ground-Nesting Bees
Solitary bees dig 1/4-inch wide holes straight down into soil. Some form dense colonies with many close holes — watch for bees entering and exiting holes during daylight.
It’s best to mow around and avoid ground bee nests. If control is needed, apply dust insecticides at night when bees are in nests. Remember, bees are important pollinators, so elimination should be a last resort. Professional beekeepers can also be called to help you relocate the bees.
7. Earthworms
Earthworms leave small piles of dirt around 1/4 to 1/2 inch holes from pushing castings up while feeding. This disrupts grass growth but improves overall soil health.
You can reduce castings by avoiding over-fertilizing and irrigating, both of which stimulates earthworms. Once a year, top dress lawns with compost to incorporate the castings. If earthworms need to be removed, some insecticides reduce populations.
8. Grubs
Beetle larvae called grubs feed on grass roots, weakening and damaging turf. On top of that some animals, such as raccoons, dig random, shallow holes searching for the bugs.
You can apply beneficial nematodes or milky spores in the summer to kill grubs. Letting the grass grow longer can also encourage predators. In addition, fill any animal holes you find and plan grub-resistant varieties to reduce damage.
9. Chipmunks
Chipmunks are cute, but they can wreak havoc on lawns. Their holes tend to be clean and around 1 to 2 inches in diameter – usually around the size of a silver dollar.
You can use traps to get rid of chipmunks or you can opt for repellents, such as vinegar, garlic, and peppermint. Removing food sources, such as bird feeders and pet food, from your yard can also send the chipmunks packing.
10. Gophers
Gophers can do significant damage to gardens if left unchecked. Their holes are around 8 inches wide. They’re active during the daytime, so it’s easier to catch them in the act and identify their dens. You might also see flies around the burrow.
Eliminating food sources and placing traps can help you get rid of gophers. You might see recommendations to sprinkle coffee grounds in your yard as they hate the smell, but it’s not that simple. Coffee depletes nitrogen in the soil, which can kill your grass. If you use this method, you’ll likely have to use a nitrogen fertilizer after to balance the soil.
What Else Can Cause Holes in Your Yard?
Other animals could be responsible for the holes in your yard. Some rarer culprits include skunks, rats, mice, ground squirrels, rabbits, armadillos, badgers, snakes, and raccoons.
However, animals and insects aren’t always to blame. Rotten roots, water erosion, and flooding can also cause holes to suddenly appear. It can even be as simple as children playing and digging in the yard.
When to Call a Professional
Severe infestations and dangerous pests, like yellowjackets, often require a professional pest control company. These professionals have proper equipment and training to effectively and safely treat large nests that DIY methods can’t handle.
Professionals can also diagnose mysterious damage, spotting clues a homeowner may miss, and develop a customized treatment plan.
How to Prevent Holes in Your Yard
There are several methods homeowners can take to reduce the likelihood of holes and to keep unwanted animals out. Here are some suggestions:
- Know when pests are most active. This can help you plan ahead to prevent the animals from digging. Spring is ideal for trapping burrowing rodents while late summer and early fall are best for treating grubs with nematodes.
- Maintain the yard. Homeowners should regularly water and fertilize for a healthy lawn. Aim for 3 to 3.5 inches when mowing, and aerate the yard once a year to minimize thatch buildup. Trim back bushes and dense growth on fences.
- Choose the right grass. Some types of grass deter pests or are more resilient than others. For example, if you deal with grubs, choose a grub-resistant grass variety.
- Remove food sources. Remove bird feeders and pet food from your yard. If fruit falls from a tree, pick it up right away.
Why is Identifying Lawn Holes Important?
Properly identifying holes in your lawn is an important first step before you can attempt to control the issue. Without accurate identification, you might opt for ineffective treatment methods or accidentally make the problem worse, wasting time and money.
Unaddressed holes can lead to dead grass, erosion, unsightliness, and dangerous nests. Regularly walking the lawn makes early identification easier and allows you to address the issue before damage escalates. If you’re unable to diagnose the cause, call an expert right away.
FAQs About Lawn Holes
Is it safe to fill in animal burrows I find in my yard?
It depends on the animal. Some animal burrows, such as mole or vole burrows, can be easily filled. Others from groundhogs or armadillos are too large and difficult to fill. If you think a dangerous animal, including yellowjackets or snakes, are to blame, it’s best to call a professional before trying to fill the hole.
How can I tell if I have moles or voles?
Moles leave volcano-like mounds and about 2-inch-wide tunnels. Voles create 1–2-inch burrow openings with clean edges and surface runways. Voles also damage roots, leaving dead patches.
Could these small holes in my yard be from snakes?
Snakes don’t dig holes. Instead, they use existing holes made from other animals. While they didn’t create the hole, they may now be occupying the space. If you suspect a dangerous snake is in your yard, call a professional as soon as possible.
How do I humanely remove burrowing animals from my property?
You can humanely remove burrowing animals from your yard by using humane traps, applying repellents, or eliminating food sources. Some professional pest control companies can also relocate the animal.
Can I relocate a trapped animal?
Some wildlife regulations prohibit animal relocation unless done by a professional or require a permit. Always check your local laws before moving an animal.
Are the holes in my yard harmful to my pets?
Yes, holes in the yard can be harmful to pets. It can cause injury if the pet trips or steps into the hole. If it’s an animal burrow, the animal may also be defensive if the pet gets too close. Identify the cause of the hole to determine if it’s dangerous to your pets.
