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What animal might be digging this large hole next to our home's foundation? #775987

Asked October 20, 2021, 10:17 PM EDT

See attached photo. Some animal is digging this hole in the flower bed adjacent to our home's foundation. The hole is about one foot in diameter, and the soil that has been dug up is in a heap that might also be about a foot high. We find dirt on the nearby window ledge, so the critter is a very powerful digger. We have filled the hole several times, but the animal eventually returns and digs the hole again. Putting fairly large gravel in the hole is not a deterrent. The time between filling the hole and re-digging can be fairly long, several weeks to a few months. The hole is perhaps a foot deep, When I placed a probe into the hole to find how far it extends laterally, it was not very much, Less than one foot. However, there may be a turn that I am not able to detect. What type of animal might this be, and what options are available for removal?

Denton County Texas

Expert Response

Hello Mr. Cushman,

Thank you for contacting Denton County Master Gardeners.  As volunteers we work at getting research based information to help solve gardening and/or various pest questions.  

Your hole digging situation by an animal is most probably an armadillo.  These animals can be very destructive to lawns and yards.   One suggestion is to use a live trap to capture the varmint so that it can be moved to a new location where it would thrive but not cause damage to yards, etc. Purchasing a large or small animal trap is an option.   Contacting your local Nextdoor community is another suggestion for trying to locate one of these traps or perhaps finding someone who would trap the animal for you. 

Enclosed are two websites that should help you to get more information on what these animals do and eat.

Contact us again if there are more questions or concerns.  Since this hole is close to your water drainage or water input, taking care of it soon would be good.

Sincerely,

Ruth T.  Denton County Master Gardener volunteer.

https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/holes-in-the-lawn/

https://naturalresources.extension.iastate.edu/wildlife/diagnosing-holes-yard

Denton county Master Gardener Association Replied October 21, 2021, 12:36 PM EDT

Hi Ruth,

 

Thank you for your prompt reply.

 

While I had not considered an armadillo, that may be possible. My own research pointed to a groundhog, and that is consistent with the Iowa State article.

 

Looking at exterminator websites, groundhogs do live it this area, although we are on the very southern end of their range. In any event, I think the removal process is the same for either animal. My concern is that when we fill up the hole, it can be weeks before it is re-dug. So it may only be intermittently in the area or it may be more than one animal. We are unaware of any other external openings.

 

The City of Highland Village has an animal control unit that once came and captured an owl in our attic. Do you think they might help?

 

Any additional thoughts?

 

William Cushman

 

 

 

From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2021 11:37 AM
To: wcushman <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: What animal might be digging this large hole next to our home's foundation? (#0045918)

 

The Question Asker Replied October 21, 2021, 12:57 PM EDT
Hi William,
As for your local Animal Control Dept., each one has its own policies so it's worth a phone call to them to find out.  
Best regards,
Pam S. 
Denton county Master Gardener Association Replied October 21, 2021, 4:47 PM EDT

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