Holey Moley, Maybe Not

     I get lots of questions beginning in the spring about holes in the yard. Clients call in describing holes and want to know what caused them and how to get rid of the culprit.

   Following is a list of hole descriptions and the critter that made them:12 - 36 inches in diameter, thoroughly plowed three inches deep, in flowerbed: armadillo


6 - 10 inches in diameter, no mound, scattered in lawn: skunk or raccoon

6 - 10 inches in diameter, mound four inches high, near garden or barn: groundhog


2 inches in diameter, no mound, scattered in lawn: squirrel digging acorns

2 inches in diameter, small mound one inch high, under a shrub, log pile or concrete slab: chipmunk or rat

2 inches diameter, small mound, in lawn with markedly raised grass nearby: mole

1 inch diameter, no mound, next to hosta: vole
1 inch diameter, soil thinly scattered around hole, middle of the yard: cicada killer wasp

1 inch diameter, two inches high and made from balls of mud, near creek: crayfish

One-fourth inch diameter, mound two inches high & wide, several in middle of the lawn: ground bee

No hole, mound two inches high & wide, several in middle of the lawn: earthworm

    As well diggers might joke, their work involves lots of deep thinking! I am hopeful this table will help you solve landscape ‘hole’ puzzles without a great deal of thought. For answers on control of these varmints, call your local extension service office.