13 Reasons There Are So Many Fresh Holes In Your Yard

As you inspect your lawn in the spring after a long winter, it's a great time to notice and treat issues like fungi, weeds, and dead grass. In addition to these common problems, you may also see a lot of new holes in the ground, and wonder what created them.

Animals are the most common cause of new holes in your yard. Moles, voles, squirrels, rats, and chipmunks dig small holes throughout a yard. Animals such as raccoons, skunks, and dogs, can also dig holes, but usually larger ones. Insects, including ground wasps and grubs, can be responsible for small holes in the dirt. Holes can also be a sign of soil erosion or a faulty irrigation system.

Intentionally creating small holes in your lawn is a great way to aerate soil, but unexplained new holes are a cause for concern. If you notice new holes throughout your yard, you may have an animal infestation or another serious issue that you should address sooner rather than later. Keep reading to learn the most common causes of suspicious new holes in your yard.

Reasons Why You Are Seeing New Holes In Your Yard 

1. Moles

One of the most common causes of holes in your yard is moles. These blind rodents build tunnels underground and create various entry and exit points. Moles can cause a lot of damage quickly and will destroy your entire lawn if you don’t address the problem. As well, the ground giving way under your weight in certain spots, or slightly uplifted patches of grass, are signs that you likely have moles.

2. Chipmunks

Chipmunks are often considered one of the cutest rodents, but these adorable fur balls can cause problems in your yard. They are often seen in trees, but they also burrow. They dig holes to hide from predators and also build deeper systems to store food. If you see chipmunks hanging around your yard and also see a bunch of new holes in your lawn, then these furry rodents are likely to blame. Remove bird feeders and other food sources to make your property less appealing to these animals.

3. Dogs

If the holes you’re finding in your yard are on the larger side, then a bigger animal is likely to blame. If you have a dog, then you know some breed love digging holes for no reason. Dogs are expert diggers and can dig a deep hole in no time. If you aren’t watching your pet, it can dig holes in your yard without you noticing. To stop this from happening, keep your dog on a leash and discourage digging behavior.

4. Skunks

There are many reasons you don’t want skunks in your yard, including the unbearable odor they release when startled or threatened. In addition to their notorious smell, skunks are also known for digging small holes. They don’t build tunnels, but dig in search of food. They love grubs and other juicy insects, and will dig many cone-shaped holes in the ground to find them. One of the best ways to stop this behavior is to use grub and insect killer to remove their favorite food source. Doing this will help get rid of skunks and improve the way your lawn looks.

5. Voles

Voles, or field mice as they are often called, are found all over the Northern Hemisphere. These small rodents are renown hole-digging animals. Like moles, they build underground tunnels for protection from predators and for storing food. They also dig holes in search of food. If you live in an area with field mice and see lots of holes in the ground, then voles are likely to blame.

6. Mice And Rats

Voles aren’t the only type of mouse that digs holes. In fact, most mice and rats frequently dig holes in the ground. While these animals don’t always create tunnels, they do use holes to protect themselves from predators and to breed. If you’ve had issues with rats or mice, then don’t be surprised if you see small holes in your lawn.

7. Grubs

Grubs don’t dig noticeable holes, but they are often the reason why you notice these holes. These large larvae are the favorite food of several rodents and bird species. If your lawn is infested with grubs, you can expect visits from all sorts of animals. Each type of animal will dig for the grubs, which can create all sorts of damage in your yard.

8. Raccoons

Raccoons don’t only search through trash, they also dig in your yard. When easy food sources aren’t available, raccoons must forage for their protein. They eat various insects, larvae, and worms that live underground. Raccoons use their large claws to dig a substantial cone-shaped hole in the ground in search of their next meal.

9. Birds

If you see birds pecking at your lawn, don’t be surprised if they leave holes behind. While many birds cause no damage to your lawn, other species can create more substantial holes. Common avian species that can leave holes in your yard include crows, magpies, and several kinds of woodpeckers. The white ibis, common in subtropical climates like Florida, uses its long beak to search for food underground and can leave many holes in the process.

10. Squirrels

Squirrels are yet another rodent species known to dig many holes in their quest for survival. While these rodents usually nest and forage in trees, they are also known to dig in the ground. The main reason is to store food such as acorns and nuts they collect when they are in season and bury them in strategic locations to eat in the winter. As they run out of easy places to store their food, they may dig many holes in your yard. 

11. Ground Wasps

Wasps might be good pollinators, but they can also cause problems in your garden. In addition to giving painful stings, ground wasps can damage your lawn every time they create a new nest. There are several species of ground wasps, and they all dig small holes to build their nests.  If you see wasps and wasp nests, it’s best to find ways to safely seal or remove them to ensure these insects don’t grow in population and cause more damage.

12. A Faulty Irrigation System

Rodents and insects aren’t the only reasons for random holes in your yard. Some causes, including a faulty irrigation system, are manmade problems. If you have an underground irrigation system and notice holes and eroded soil around it, then your system may have a leak. A leaking irrigation system wastes water and can also create holes in the soil as water leaks underground. If you suspect your irrigation system is to blame, fix the issue right away to prevent very high water bills and further lawn damage.

13. Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is another common cause for holes in your yard. This is caused by all sorts of problems, from rotting roots and pipes to improper water drainage. Instead of holes appearing randomly all over your yard, you will likely see a concentrated area of damage when erosion is to blame.

Wrapping Up Reasons There Are So Many Holes In Your Yard

Aerating your soil is important, but if you notice many large holes in your yard, you should investigate further. These holes could be a sign of an animal or insect infestation or of erosion.

Some animals known to dig holes and ruin lawns include moles, chipmunks, voles, rats, squirrels, raccoons, several bird species, and dogs. Insects like grubs can attract these animals and prompt them to dig holes, so consider ways to remove this food source. Ground wasps often dig holes in yards to build nests. Soil erosion or a faulty irrigation system can also cause holes and concave sections in your yard.

Related Guides:

• Garden Pests That Appear In Early Spring
• How To Control Pests Without Pesticides
• Why Your Yard Is Attracting Raccoons (And How To Keep Them Out)