Heres how to figure out whats destroying your lawn.
Getty Images
Its annoying to discover unsightly holes, mounds, or tunnels in your lawn or garden beds.
But figuring out whats excavating without your permission isnt straightforward.
Credit:Getty Images
Youll need to gather information to figure out what might be causing the damage.
And theres always a chance that you are guessing incorrectly.
It could just be your neighbors dog, says Mengak.
You cant overlook the obvious.
The first step is to know what animals live in your region.
Where is the damage observed?
Knowing what kind of habitat certain types of wildlife prefer can help with identification.
What time of year is it?
Certain damage is more prevalent during specific seasons.
What time of day does the damage occur?
Animals have a time of day when theyre most active.
How does the hole or damage look?
Take note the shape of the hole (flat or raised?
), which are all clues to the animal responsible.
Are there tracks or droppings near the damage?
You also may see three-toed tracks with claw marks.
Armadillos are nocturnal but occasionally move around during the day.
Their main burrow entrance is 10 to 12-inch diameter hole with burrow systems that are 30 feet in length.
Theyre active during the day.
Heres how to manage groundhogs
Moles
Moles are insectivores, tunneling to find food.
They feed day and night because all that tunneling requires a lot of calories to sustain.
Heres how to get rid of moles
Voles
Vole damage is often confused for mole damage.
Voles, which are herbivores, construct surface or underground runways in areas of heavy ground cover.
Voles feed and tunnel day and night.
Theyre mostly active at night but also forage at dawn and dusk.
They are nocturnal but will occasionally forage in daylight, especially if its a nursing mother.
Turkeys may scratch up newly-seeded lawns, landscaped areas, or gardens.
Other birds, such as crows and jays, also may damage lawns.
Contact yourstates wildlife agencyfor assistance.
