Mysterious digging - Ask Extension
I have been in this house for 10 yrs and others for 44 yrs, and never saw anything like this. Do you know what animal will dig shallow holes (so look...
Knowledgebase
Mysterious digging #893343
Asked February 28, 2025, 1:51 PM EST
I have been in this house for 10 yrs and others for 44 yrs, and never saw anything like this. Do you know what animal will dig shallow holes (so looking for food) in a linear pattern about 1' apart? With some interruptions they occurred for about 50' and are only 1-3" deep - and very messy, i.e., irregular. This was in a garden area with no turf, but directly next to lawn (where assume grubs would more likely be, but regardless this occurred during the winter when grubs wouldn't be near the surface anyway). I had not been in that area for at least several months, so no idea when it occurred.
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Unfortunately we don't know what created the holes, as that's outside of our area of expertise. We would guess it might have been a vole or mole "runway" that has been disused long enough to be collapsed or mostly filled-in, with the hole-like depressions left after the fact. It's not uncommon for vole runways to become more prominent after a snow, when they use the snow as cover from predators as they forage.
Generally, when skunks or raccoons dig in soil to seek grubs or other invertebrates, they do so in a more scattered pattern. (Even then, the presence of grubs -- if that's even what they were eating -- doesn't necessarily mean that the insects were numerous to warrant treatment or cause plant damage.)
If you want a second opinion on what might be going on, you can inquire with wildlife biologists at the MD Department of Natural Resources. An email can be sent to <personal data hidden> (especially if you want to share a photo) or, if you would like to speak to someone, they have a Wildlife and Heritage Service phone number at<personal data hidden>. The phone line is staffed during regular business hours, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, except state holidays and weekends.
Miri
Generally, when skunks or raccoons dig in soil to seek grubs or other invertebrates, they do so in a more scattered pattern. (Even then, the presence of grubs -- if that's even what they were eating -- doesn't necessarily mean that the insects were numerous to warrant treatment or cause plant damage.)
If you want a second opinion on what might be going on, you can inquire with wildlife biologists at the MD Department of Natural Resources. An email can be sent to <personal data hidden> (especially if you want to share a photo) or, if you would like to speak to someone, they have a Wildlife and Heritage Service phone number at<personal data hidden>. The phone line is staffed during regular business hours, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, except state holidays and weekends.
Miri
