Quick Answer
In Ohio, the most common yard diggers are groundhogs (woodchucks), eastern moles, striped skunks, raccoons, Virginia opossums, and pine voles. Groundhogs create large 6-10 inch burrow entrances with prominent dirt mounds. Skunks dig small conical holes in lawns searching for grubs. Moles create raised surface tunnels with no visible openings. A newer phenomenon is the nine-banded armadillo expanding northward from the Ohio River, now reported in southern Ohio counties.
Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Ohio
Ohio's diverse landscape — from the Lake Erie shoreline and the fertile till plains of the west to the Appalachian foothills of the east — supports a wide variety of burrowing and digging wildlife. The state's moderate climate, abundant rainfall, and rich soils create ideal conditions for animals that tunnel and root. Ohio homeowners most commonly encounter damage from groundhogs, moles, skunks, raccoons, and voles, with nine-banded armadillos becoming an increasingly reported species in the southern tier of counties along the Ohio River.
This guide is based on data from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, Ohio State University Extension wildlife publications, and USDA APHIS Wildlife Services records for Ohio.
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.
Ohio Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table
| Animal | Hole Size & Shape | Depth | Damage Pattern | Ohio Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groundhog (Woodchuck) | 6-10 inch round entrance; large dirt mound | 3-6 feet deep; tunnels up to 45 ft | Large mound at entrance; collapsed tunnels; damaged garden plants; undermined foundations | Statewide; most common in rural and suburban areas |
| Eastern Mole | Raised ridges; no visible hole; volcano-shaped mounds | 3-12 inches (surface tunnels); deeper winter tunnels | Raised surface tunnels crisscrossing lawn; volcano-shaped mounds; soft, spongy turf | Statewide except urban centers |
| Striped Skunk | Small conical holes, 2-3 inch diameter | 2-4 inches (foraging holes) | Scattered small holes in lawn; overturned sod; often in a line or grid pattern | Statewide; common in suburban areas |
| Raccoon | Conical holes, 3-4 inch diameter; torn-up sod patches | 2-4 inches (surface foraging) | Large patches of rolled-back sod (like a carpet); scattered holes; overturned trash | Statewide; abundant in urban and suburban areas |
| Virginia Opossum | Scattered small holes, 2-3 inches | 2-3 inches (surface foraging) | Less destructive than raccoons; small scattered holes; overturned mulch | Statewide |
| Pine Vole | Tiny holes, 1-1.5 inches; no mounds | Surface runways under leaf litter; tunnels just below soil | Surface runways in grass; girdled tree trunks at base; damaged plant roots | Statewide; especially in orchards and wooded areas |
| Nine-banded Armadillo | Cone-shaped holes, 2-3 inches; rooting patches | 2-5 inches (foraging) | Multiple small conical holes; rooting under mulch; disturbed flower beds | Southern Ohio counties; expanding northward |
Groundhogs: Ohio's Largest Yard Digger
Groundhogs (Marmota monax), also known as woodchucks or whistle pigs, are the most destructive burrowing animal in Ohio yards. A single groundhog burrow can be 3-6 feet deep and extend up to 45 feet in total tunnel length, with multiple entrances and chambers. The main entrance is unmistakable — a 6-10 inch wide hole with a large mound of excavated dirt on the outside.
Groundhogs are true hibernators in Ohio, entering their dens in October and emerging in February or March. Their activity peaks in spring and early summer when they are feeding heavily on garden vegetables, clover, and alfalfa. In suburban Ohio yards, groundhogs are particularly attracted to vegetable gardens, and a single groundhog can destroy an entire garden in a week.
Beyond garden damage, groundhog burrows pose a structural hazard. Burrows under sheds, patios, and foundations can cause settlement and collapse. Livestock and mowers can break legs in hidden groundhog holes. ODNR classifies groundhogs as a nongame species, meaning they can be trapped or killed on private property without a permit during the open season, but a nuisance wildlife permit is required for trapping during the closed season (typically February through May).
Eastern Moles in Ohio Lawns
The eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is the most common mole species in Ohio and the primary cause of mole-related lawn damage. Moles are insectivores that feed on earthworms, grubs, and other soil insects. They do not eat plant roots, but their tunneling activity damages root systems and creates unsightly raised ridges across lawns.
Mole activity in Ohio follows a seasonal pattern. Surface tunnels are most visible in spring (March-May) when the soil is moist and earthworms are near the surface. During summer dry periods, moles tunnel deeper and surface activity decreases. A second peak of surface tunneling occurs in fall (September-November) when soil moisture returns.
Contrary to popular belief, controlling grubs does not reliably eliminate moles. Ohio State University Extension research shows that earthworms make up 60-80% of the eastern mole's diet in Ohio soils, and moles will continue tunneling even after grub treatments. The most effective mole control methods in Ohio are trapping (using scissor-jaw or harpoon traps in active surface tunnels) and exclusion (buried hardware cloth barriers around garden beds).
Skunks and Raccoons: Ohio's Nocturnal Lawn Diggers
Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) are the two most common nocturnal animals digging holes in Ohio lawns. Both dig for the same food source — white grubs and other soil insects — but their digging patterns differ.
Skunks create small, conical holes 2-3 inches in diameter and 2-4 inches deep. These holes often appear in a line or scattered pattern across the lawn. Skunk damage is typically shallow and does not involve large patches of torn-up sod. Homeowners often smell a faint skunk odor around the digging area, even if the skunk has not sprayed.
Raccoons are far more destructive. They use their dexterous front paws to pull back sod in large sheets, leaving the lawn looking like a carpet that has been rolled back. Raccoons are also drawn to bird feeders, pet food left outdoors, and unsecured trash cans. In urban Ohio neighborhoods, raccoons are the most common cause of nocturnal lawn damage.
Both species are classified as furbearers by ODNR. They can be trapped during the regulated furbearer trapping season with a valid license. Outside of trapping season, landowners may take nuisance animals on their property without a permit, but relocating trapped animals is illegal in Ohio without a permit.
Nine-banded Armadillos: A New Ohio Digger
The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a relatively new addition to Ohio's wildlife. Historically restricted to the southern United States, armadillos have been expanding their range northward for decades. They were first reported in southern Ohio in the early 2000s and have since become established in several southern Ohio counties along the Ohio River, including Adams, Brown, Clermont, and Scioto counties.
Armadillos dig numerous small conical holes (2-3 inches wide, 2-5 inches deep) as they forage for insects, grubs, and earthworms. They are also known to uproot small plants and disturb mulch beds. Unlike groundhogs, armadillos do not create large burrow systems in yards — they dig shallow foraging holes and may use existing burrows or natural cavities for shelter.
Armadillos are not protected by Ohio wildlife regulations and can be trapped or removed without a permit. However, homeowners should be aware that armadillos can carry leprosy (Hansen's disease), though transmission to humans is extremely rare. If you handle an armadillo, wear gloves and wash thoroughly.
Seasonal Digging Patterns in Ohio
| Season | Most Active Diggers | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar-May) | Groundhogs, moles, skunks | Groundhogs emerge from hibernation; moles follow earthworms in moist soil; skunks dig for grubs after thaw |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Raccoons, skunks, groundhogs | Raccoons with young dig heavily; groundhog burrow expansion; skunk foraging peaks |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Moles, groundhogs, armadillos | Mole surface tunnels reappear with fall rains; groundhogs fatten up for hibernation; armadillos active before winter |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Moles (deep), voles (surface) | Moles tunnel deeper below frost line; voles active under snow cover (subnivean runways) |
How to Get Rid of Animals Digging in Your Ohio Yard
1. Reduce Grub Populations
Grubs are a primary food source for skunks and raccoons. Treat your lawn with beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) or milky spore (Paenibacillus popilliae) in late summer to reduce grub populations. Apply in August or early September when grubs are small and most vulnerable. Chemical grub controls (imidacloprid, chlorantraniliprole) can be applied in June-July as preventive treatments. A healthy lawn with deep roots is more resistant to grub damage and less attractive to diggers.
2. Exclusion Fencing
For groundhogs, install 3-foot mesh fencing buried at least 12 inches deep with an L-shaped footer extending outward 6 inches at the bottom to prevent digging under. For armadillos, a 2-foot fence angled outward at 45 degrees is effective since armadillos can climb straight fences but struggle with overhangs. For raccoons, electric fencing or roller bars on top of existing fences prevent climbing. Use 1/4-inch hardware cloth for vole exclusion around garden beds and tree trunks.
💡 Looking for professional help? Compare quotes for Fences and get free estimates from local pros.
3. Live Trapping
Live traps are effective for groundhogs, raccoons, and armadillos in Ohio. Use a 10x12x32-inch or larger trap for groundhogs and raccoons, baited with fresh vegetables (groundhogs), canned fish or marshmallows (raccoons), or overripe fruit (armadillos). Check traps at least twice daily as required by Ohio law. Relocating trapped animals in Ohio requires a permit from ODNR; without a permit, trapped animals must be euthanized. In general, relocation is not recommended because relocated animals rarely survive in unfamiliar territory.
4. Habitat Modification
Remove brush piles, rock piles, and debris that provide cover for skunks, groundhogs, and armadillos. Keep grass mowed short to reduce vole and mole habitat. Trim tree branches that overhang roofs to limit raccoon access. Install chimney caps and seal foundation gaps to prevent animals from denning under structures. Remove bird feeders at night to avoid attracting raccoons and skunks.
5. Professional Wildlife Removal
For persistent or large-scale infestations, professional wildlife removal services are the safest and most effective option. Licensed wildlife control operators in Ohio are permitted by ODNR to trap and remove nuisance animals. Professional Ohio wildlife removal services typically cost between $150 and $600 depending on the animal species, the complexity of the job, and whether exclusion work (sealing entry points) is included. Multiple-visit packages for groundhog or raccoon removal often range from $300-$500. Always verify that the company holds a valid ODNR nuisance wildlife trapping permit.
Ohio-Specific Regulations
- Groundhogs (woodchucks): Classified as nongame mammals. May be taken by landowners on their property year-round. During the closed season (typically February 1 through May 31), a nuisance wildlife permit is required for trapping. During the open season, a valid hunting or trapping license is required.
- Striped skunks and raccoons: Classified as furbearers. Trapping during the regulated season (November 10 through January 31) requires a valid fur taker permit. Outside of season, landowners may take nuisance animals on their property without a permit, but relocation requires a nuisance wildlife permit.
- Eastern moles: No protection. Can be trapped or killed on private property without a permit year-round. No closed season.
- Nine-banded armadillos: No protection in Ohio. Can be trapped or removed without a permit. Armadillos are not classified as a game species in Ohio.
- Virginia opossums: Classified as furbearers. Same regulations as skunks and raccoons. May be trapped during furbearer season or taken as nuisance animals outside of season.
- Pine voles: No protection. Can be controlled with traps or rodenticides on private property. Follow all label directions for rodenticide use.
FAQ: Ohio Yard Digging
What is digging small holes in my Ohio lawn at night?
Small conical holes appearing overnight in your Ohio lawn are most likely from striped skunks or raccoons digging for white grubs. Skunk holes are typically 2-3 inches in diameter and scattered, while raccoon damage involves larger patches of rolled-back sod. Both are nocturnal and feed on the same soil insects. Check for a faint skunk odor or scattered trash to distinguish between the two.
Are armadillos common in Ohio?
Armadillos are not yet common across Ohio but are increasingly reported in the southern tier of counties along the Ohio River, including Adams, Brown, Clermont, Gallia, Lawrence, and Scioto counties. They have been expanding their range northward for decades and are now considered established in parts of southern Ohio. Sightings north of Interstate 70 remain rare but are increasing.
How do I get rid of groundhogs in my Ohio yard?
Groundhogs can be live-trapped using a 10x12x32-inch trap baited with fresh vegetables (cantaloupe, sweet corn, or lettuce). Place the trap near the burrow entrance. During the closed season (February 1 through May 31), a nuisance wildlife permit is required from ODNR. Exclusion fencing buried 12 inches deep with an L-shaped footer is the most effective long-term solution. Gas cartridges and fumigation are also legal for groundhog control in Ohio.
What is digging holes in my yard at night in Ohio?
Nocturnal digging in Ohio is most commonly caused by raccoons, striped skunks, and Virginia opossums. Raccoons are the most destructive, pulling back sod in large sheets. Skunks create smaller, conical holes. Opossums cause the least damage of the three. Diurnal (daytime) digging is typically from groundhogs or squirrels. If you see activity during the day, it is likely a groundhog. At night, focus on raccoons and skunks as the primary culprits.
Should I fill in groundhog holes in my yard?
Only fill in groundhog holes after confirming the burrow is empty. To test, loosely fill the entrance with dirt and leaves, then check after 24-48 hours. If the hole has been reopened, the groundhog is still inside. If the hole remains filled, the burrow is empty. Once empty, fill the hole with packed soil and gravel, then tamp it down firmly. For active burrows, consider trapping the groundhog first before filling.
Sources: Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, Ohio State University Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice. Always verify current regulations with ODNR before taking wildlife control action.