What Animal Is Digging Holes in My California Yard? (Identification Guide)

Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in California

California's diverse geography — from coastal regions and the Central Valley to the Sierra Nevada foothills and desert areas — supports a wide variety of burrowing wildlife. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) report that nuisance wildlife complaints involving yard digging are among the most common requests for assistance across the state. Whether you live in suburban Los Angeles, agricultural Fresno, or the foothills of Sacramento, identifying the animal responsible is the first step toward effective management.

Key Identification Tip: Before you identify the specific animal, determine whether your holes have mounds or not. Holes WITH mounds are typically from pocket gophers or ground squirrels. Holes WITHOUT mounds are from armadillos, skunks, raccoons, or moles. Raised surface tunnels with no visible entrance = moles. This single distinction eliminates half the possibilities immediately.

California Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table

Animal	Hole Size & Shape	Depth	Damage Pattern	California Range
California Ground Squirrel	4–6 inches wide, round	Up to 3 feet deep	Large dirt mounds, chewed irrigation lines, damaged foundations	Statewide except high desert
Botta's Pocket Gopher	2–3 inches wide, crescent-shaped mound	6–18 inches deep	Fan-shaped soil mounds, plugged tunnel entrances	Statewide
Broad-Footed Mole	Volcano-shaped mounds, 6–12 inches wide	Surface tunnels, 2–4 inches below grade	Raised ridge tunnels across lawns, dead grass patches	Coastal and central California
Striped Skunk	3–4 inch conical holes	Shallow, 1–2 inches	Small scattered holes in lawn, overturned sod (grub hunting)	Statewide
Raccoon	3–5 inch wide, shallow depressions	1–3 inches	Rolled-back sod, tipped planters, lawn patches peeled up	Statewide, especially urban areas
Coyote	6–12 inch wide excavations	1–2 feet deep	Large dug-out areas under fences, near dens	Urban and suburban California
Wild Pig	Large, irregular rooting holes, 1–3 feet wide	Up to 1 foot deep	Extensive soil upheaval, uprooted plants, torn turf	Rural areas, Central Valley, coastal ranges

California Ground Squirrel

The California ground squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) is a native species found throughout most of the state and is one of the most destructive burrowing animals in California. These squirrels are easily recognized by their mottled brown fur, white-ringed eyes, and bushy tails. They are active during the day and are most visible in the early morning and late afternoon.

Ground squirrels dig extensive burrow systems that can reach 3 feet deep and 30 feet long. These burrows typically have multiple entrances surrounded by large mounds of loose soil. In residential and agricultural settings, they cause significant damage by undermining building foundations, retaining walls, and patios. Their burrowing also damages irrigation systems — a particularly costly problem in California's drought-prone landscape. UC ANR estimates that ground squirrels cause millions of dollars in damage to California agriculture and infrastructure annually.

In addition to structural damage, California ground squirrels are known carriers of fleas that transmit bubonic plague, and they can also carry tularemia and rabies. Their presence near homes and gardens poses both a property and public health risk. Control methods include trapping, fumigation, and habitat modification, though the species is prolific and requires persistent management.

Botta's Pocket Gopher

Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) is the most widespread pocket gopher species in California, found from sea level to over 10,000 feet elevation. These solitary, fossorial rodents spend almost their entire lives underground. They are named for the external fur-lined cheek pouches — "pockets" — used to carry food.

The most distinctive sign of pocket gopher activity is the fan-shaped or crescent-shaped mound of soil left at tunnel entrances. Unlike molehills (volcano-shaped), gopher mounds are asymmetrical and have a soil plug on one side. These mounds can appear overnight, and a single gopher can produce dozens of them in a week. The tunnels themselves are typically 6–18 inches below the surface, though deeper tunnels are used for nesting and food storage.

Pocket gophers feed on roots, bulbs, and underground vegetation, which means they can kill ornamental plants, shrubs, and trees by severing root systems. They also damage underground sprinkler lines and drip irrigation tubing — a common and expensive problem for California homeowners. Gophers are active year-round and are most noticeable in spring and fall when soil conditions are ideal for digging. Control options include trapping (the most effective method for small areas), poison baits, and exclusion with underground fencing.

Broad-Footed Mole

The broad-footed mole (Scapanus latimanus) is California's most common mole species, found primarily in coastal and central regions with moist, loamy soil. These insectivores are highly specialized for underground life, with large, paddle-shaped front feet, no external ears, and tiny eyes covered by skin.

Moles create two distinct types of surface evidence: volcano-shaped mounds (molehills) and raised ridged tunnels that crisscross lawns. The raised tunnels are essentially temporary feeding runs where moles search for earthworms, grubs, and other soil invertebrates. These tunnels are just 2–4 inches below the surface and are easily felt underfoot as soft, spongy ridges in the lawn.

Contrary to popular belief, moles do not eat plant roots. Their feeding damage is indirect — raised tunnels dry out the soil, kill grass roots, and create an uneven lawn surface that is difficult to mow. Moles are active year-round but are most noticeable in spring and fall when soil moisture is adequate and prey is abundant. Control is notoriously difficult; trapping is the most reliable method, though it requires skill and patience. UC ANR recommends using scissor-jaw or harpoon traps placed in active tunnels.

Seasonal Digging Patterns in California

Season	Most Active Diggers	Why
Spring	Ground squirrels, pocket gophers, moles	Breeding season; soil is moist and easy to dig; insects and grubs are abundant
Summer	Ground squirrels, raccoons, skunks	Ground squirrels active aboveground; raccoons and skunks dig for grubs in dry lawns
Fall	Pocket gophers, moles, wild pigs	Gophers and moles build food caches; wild pigs root for acorns and tubers
Winter	Pocket gophers, moles	Active year-round; less competition from surface-dwelling animals

How to Get Rid of Animals Digging in Your California Yard

1. Reduce Grub Populations

Many digging animals — especially skunks and raccoons — are after grubs and insects in your lawn. Treat your lawn with beneficial nematodes or milky spore to control grub populations naturally. For chemical control, imidacloprid or halofenozide applied in early summer can reduce grub numbers the following season. Always follow UC ANR integrated pest management (IPM) guidelines when choosing treatments.

2. Exclusion Fencing

For ground squirrels and other burrowing animals, bury galvanized hardware cloth or 1/4-inch mesh fencing at least 18 inches deep around gardens, foundations, and critical areas. The fence should extend above ground by at least 2 feet and include an outward-facing flange at the bottom to prevent digging underneath. For wild pigs, heavy-duty hog panel fencing is required.

3. Live Trapping

Live trapping can be effective for ground squirrels, raccoons, and skunks. Use bait such as peanut butter, seeds, or fresh fruits. Check traps at least twice daily and be prepared to handle trapped animals according to California regulations. Note that relocating trapped wildlife is often illegal or restricted without a permit — always check with CDFW before moving any animal.

4. Habitat Modification

Remove brush piles, rock piles, tall grass, and dense ground cover that provide shelter for burrowing animals. Keep your lawn mowed and eliminate food sources such as fallen fruit, birdseed spills, and pet food left outdoors. Installing motion-activated sprinklers can deter nocturnal foragers like skunks and raccoons.

5. Professional Wildlife Removal

If DIY methods fail to resolve the problem, contacting a professional wildlife removal service is the safest and most effective option. Licensed professionals have the experience, equipment, and permits to handle persistent infestations, especially for protected species or large animals like coyotes and wild pigs. Search for California wildlife removal to find qualified operators in your area. The average cost for professional wildlife removal in California ranges from $250 to $1,000, depending on the species, severity of infestation, and accessibility of the site.

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California-Specific Regulations

• California ground squirrel: Not protected. Can be trapped, shot, or fumigated on private property without a permit. Check local ordinances for restrictions on firearms.
• Pocket gopher: Not protected. Can be controlled by trapping, baiting, or fumigation. No permit required for landowners.
• Broad-footed mole: Not protected. Can be trapped on private property. Poison baits are not recommended due to secondary poisoning risks.
• Striped skunk: Classified as a furbearer. Trapping requires a valid California trapping license. Relocation requires a permit from CDFW.
• Raccoon: Classified as a furbearer. Depredation permits may be required for lethal control. Relocation is generally not permitted.
• Coyote: Can be taken year-round with a hunting license. For depredation on private property, a CDFW permit is required for certain control methods.
• Wild pig: Requires a valid California hunting license and wild pig tag. Can be taken year-round with landowner permission.

FAQ: California Yard Digging

What is making small holes in my lawn at night in California?

Small holes appearing overnight are typically from skunks or raccoons digging for grubs. Skunks leave conical holes about 3–4 inches wide, while raccoons peel back larger patches of sod. Both are nocturnal and active in California year-round.

How do I tell the difference between a gopher hole and a mole hole?

Gopher holes have fan-shaped or crescent-shaped mounds with a visible soil plug, while mole holes are volcano-shaped mounds with no visible entrance. Moles also create raised surface tunnels (ridges) across lawns, while gophers do not.

Do California ground squirrels hibernate?

California ground squirrels do not truly hibernate. In coastal areas they remain active year-round, while in colder inland and mountain regions they may enter a period of torpor (dormancy) during the coldest months but will emerge on warm days.

Are pocket gophers active all year in California?

Yes, pocket gophers are active year-round in California. They are most noticeable during spring and fall when soil moisture makes digging easier, but they continue to tunnel and feed throughout summer and winter as well.

What attracts raccoons to dig in my California yard?

Raccoons are attracted to lawns with high grub populations, unsecured garbage cans, pet food left outdoors, bird feeders, and fruit trees with fallen fruit. California's mild climate means raccoons are active year-round, making consistent food removal essential for prevention.

What is digging holes in my yard at night in California?

Nocturnal animals digging in California yards at night are most commonly skunks and raccoons searching for grubs and insects. Skunks leave small, conical holes about 3–4 inches wide, while raccoons create larger, irregular patches of rolled-back sod. Opossums and coyotes may also dig at night but are less common in urban yards. In contrast, diurnal (daytime) diggers include ground squirrels and pocket gophers, which are active during daylight hours. If you see fresh holes in the morning that weren't there the night before, you are almost certainly dealing with a nocturnal species.

Sources: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only.