Knowledgebase
What animal might be digging this large hole next to our home's foundation? #775987
Asked October 20, 2021, 10:17 PM EDT
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
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
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Subject: Re: What animal might be digging this large hole next to our home's foundation? (#0045918)
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.