Quick Answer
The most common animals digging holes in Alabama yards are nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus), southeastern pocket gophers (Geomys pinetis, southeastern AL), groundhogs (Marmota monax, northern AL), striped skunks, and raccoons. In rural areas, feral hogs (Sus scrofa) cause severe rooting damage. Armadillos are abundant across the state and are a leading cause of shallow, conical yard digging.
Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Alabama
Alabama’s warm, humid climate and mix of Gulf coastal plain, Black Belt farmland, and Appalachian foothills support a very high density of burrowing wildlife. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System field steady yard-digging complaints, with armadillos at the top of the list statewide. Identifying the animal is the first step toward effective management.
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, ground squirrels, woodchucks, or moles. Holes WITHOUT mounds are from armadillos, skunks, raccoons, or other grub-hunting foragers. Raised surface tunnels with no visible entrance = moles. This single distinction eliminates half the possibilities immediately.
Alabama Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table
| Animal | Hole Size & Shape | Depth | Damage Pattern | Alabama Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nine-Banded Armadillo | Conical holes 1–3 inches wide in a wandering line | 1–2 inches | Multiple shallow holes in a line or cluster, uprooted mulch and plants | Statewide, most common in southern and central AL |
| Eastern Mole | Volcano-shaped mounds, 6–12 inches wide | Surface tunnels, 2–4 inches below grade | Raised ridge tunnels across lawns, dead grass patches | Statewide, most common in the Piedmont |
| Southeastern Pocket Gopher | 2–3 inch openings, crescent-shaped mounds | 6–18 inches deep | Fan-shaped soil mounds with plugged entrance, killed plants along tunnels | Southeastern AL, sandy soils |
| Groundhog / Woodchuck | Large entrance, 8–12 inches wide | 2–6 feet deep | Big dirt mound, undermined foundations and sheds | Northern AL |
| Striped Skunk | 3–4 inch conical holes | Shallow, 1–2 inches | Small scattered holes in lawn, overturned sod (grub hunting) | Statewide |
| Raccoon | 3–5 inch wide, shallow depressions | 1–3 inches | Rolled-back sod, tipped planters, lawn patches peeled up | Statewide, especially urban |
| Feral Hog | Large, irregular rooting holes, 1–3 feet wide | Up to 1 foot deep | Extensive soil upheaval, uprooted plants, torn turf | Rural areas statewide |
Nine-Banded Armadillo
The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is abundant across Alabama and is one of the most common causes of yard digging in the state. Armadillos forage for grubs and insects by rooting through soil, leaving shallow conical holes 1–3 inches wide in wandering lines, along with uprooted mulch and plants.
Armadillo damage looks distinctive — multiple small probe holes scattered across a lawn or garden in a line or cluster, often appearing overnight. They are most active at dusk and night and will return repeatedly once they find a reliable food source. They can also tunnel under foundations, slabs, and sheds.
Control focuses on reducing the grub population that attracts them and excluding them from gardens with buried hardware cloth. Armadillos are not protected in Alabama; check current ADCNR guidance for handling options.
Eastern Mole
The eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is the most common lawn-damaging mole in Alabama, especially in the Piedmont and northern counties where soils are moist and loamy. It feeds on earthworms and grubs, and its shallow foraging tunnels create the raised ridges that crisscross lawns.
Moles produce volcano-shaped mounds in addition to surface ridges. The tunneling dries out soil and kills grass roots, leaving brown, bumpy strips. Moles do not eat plants — the damage is indirect. In Alabama’s warm climate, moles are active much of the year.
Trapping in active tunnels is the reliable control, using scissor-jaw or harpoon traps set in fresh, straight runs. Auburn University Extension recommends timing for spring and fall, the peak damage windows.
Southeastern Pocket Gopher
The southeastern pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis) is a rare and localized species found only in parts of southeastern Alabama, southern Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle, on sandy, well-drained soils. It is the only pocket gopher in the eastern United States.
This gopher digs distinctive fan- or crescent-shaped mounds with the tunnel entrance plugged, similar to the plains pocket gopher of the Midwest. It feeds on roots and underground vegetation and can damage lawns, gardens, and planted pines by severing root systems.
Because the southeastern pocket gopher has a restricted range and conservation interest, control should be confirmed with ADCNR before taking action. Where local populations are healthy and damage is severe, trapping in active tunnels is the primary method.
Groundhog / Woodchuck
Groundhogs (Marmota monax) are most common in northern Alabama and become scarce toward the coast. They dig large burrows with entrances up to a foot wide and prominent dirt mounds, tunneling 2–6 feet deep.
Groundhogs undermine foundations, sheds, and patios and strip gardens through the growing season. They are diurnal and usually visible in the morning and late afternoon.
Exclusion with buried hardware cloth is the most durable fix. Live trapping with fresh greens or melon works best in early spring. Groundhogs are not protected in Alabama, but check local ordinances and obtain landowner permission before releasing any captured animal.
Striped Skunk
The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is found statewide and forages for grubs in Alabama lawns at night, leaving small conical holes about 3–4 inches wide. Skunks also den under porches, decks, sheds, and woodpiles.
Skunks are a common rabies vector species, and a skunk active in daylight should never be approached. Their spray is the main practical problem for homeowners.
Prevention: secure trash, remove pet food at night, and seal under-deck openings with hardware cloth. Trapping is restricted because skunks are classified as furbearers in Alabama.
Raccoon
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are abundant across Alabama, including Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile. In yards they roll back sod hunting grubs, overturn garbage, and raid bird feeders. Raccoons are nocturnal, so damage appearing overnight is a strong sign of their activity.
They commonly den in attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces, making them a leading wildlife-removal call. Raccoons are a rabies vector species, so animals in a structure should be evicted by a licensed professional.
Secure trash with locking lids, remove pet food and birdseed at night, and cap chimneys. Professional removal is recommended for animals inside buildings.
Feral Hog
Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) are a serious problem in rural Alabama and cause the most dramatic digging damage. They root up large, irregular areas of soil — up to several feet wide — while searching for roots, tubers, and grubs, leaving extensive upheaval, torn turf, and uprooted plants.
Hog rooting often appears along field edges, creek bottoms, and wooded margins and can be severe enough to destabilize soil and damage lawns, gardens, and pastures. Hogs are most active at night and are a growing problem across the state.
Feral hogs are classified as a nuisance species in Alabama and may be controlled by landowners. Exclusion with heavy hog-panel fencing, trapping, and regulated hunting are the main control options. Because hogs travel in groups, control requires coordinated, ongoing effort.
Seasonal Digging Patterns in Alabama
| Season | Most Active Diggers | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Moles, voles, groundhogs, raccoons | Breeding season; soil is moist and easy to dig; grubs and insects are abundant after winter |
| Summer | Skunks, raccoons, armadillos (south), groundhogs | Warm nights drive nocturnal grub-foraging; young animals disperse to new territories |
| Fall | Moles, voles, groundhogs, gophers | Animals build winter food caches and fat stores before cold weather |
| Winter | Moles, voles (under snow) | Moles stay active under frozen turf; voles tunnel beneath snow cover |
How to Get Rid of Animals Digging in Your Alabama Yard
1. Reduce Grub Populations
Many digging animals — especially skunks and raccoons — are after grubs and insects in your lawn. Treat your lawn with beneficial nematodes or milky spore to control grub populations naturally. For chemical control, an imidacloprid application in early summer can reduce grub numbers the following season. Always follow your state extension service integrated pest management (IPM) guidelines when choosing treatments.
2. Exclusion Fencing
For groundhogs, gophers, and other burrowing animals, bury galvanized hardware cloth or 1/4-inch mesh fencing at least 18 inches deep around gardens, foundations, and critical areas. The fence should extend above ground by at least 2 feet and include an outward-facing flange at the bottom to prevent digging underneath. For feral hogs, heavy-duty hog panel fencing is required.
3. Live Trapping
Live trapping can be effective for groundhogs, raccoons, and skunks. Use bait such as peanut butter, seeds, or fresh fruits. Check traps at least twice daily and be prepared to handle trapped animals according to state regulations. Note that relocating trapped wildlife is often illegal or restricted without a permit — always check with your state wildlife agency before moving any animal.
4. Habitat Modification
Remove brush piles, rock piles, tall grass, and dense ground cover that provide shelter for burrowing animals. Keep your lawn mowed and eliminate food sources such as fallen fruit, birdseed spills, and pet food left outdoors. Installing motion-activated sprinklers can deter nocturnal foragers like skunks and raccoons.
5. Professional Wildlife Removal
If DIY methods fail to resolve the problem, contacting a professional wildlife removal service is the safest and most effective option. Licensed professionals have the experience, equipment, and permits to handle persistent infestations, especially for protected species or large animals like feral hogs. Search for Alabama wildlife removal to find qualified operators in your area. The average cost for professional wildlife removal in Alabama ranges from $250 to $1,000, depending on the species, severity of infestation, and accessibility of the site.
Alabama-Specific Regulations
- Nine-banded armadillo: Not protected. Landowners may control armadillos on their property; follow current ADCNR guidance.
- Eastern mole: Not protected. May be trapped on private property. Poison baits are not recommended due to secondary poisoning risk.
- Southeastern pocket gopher: Has a restricted range in Alabama; confirm current ADCNR status before any control action.
- Groundhog: Not protected. Landowners may control groundhogs; check local ordinances for trapping and shooting rules.
- Striped skunk: Classified as a furbearer in Alabama. Trapping requires a license during the open season; nuisance situations are handled by licensed wildlife control operators.
- Raccoon: Classified as a furbearer. Trapping is subject to license and season rules; relocation is not permitted.
- Feral hog: Classified as a nuisance species. Landowners may control feral hogs on their property; follow current ADCNR regulations.
FAQ: Alabama Yard Digging
Are armadillos common in Alabama?
Yes. Nine-banded armadillos are abundant across Alabama, especially in the southern and central parts of the state, and are one of the most common causes of yard digging. They are less common in the highest northeast Alabama mountains.
How do I tell armadillo damage from feral hog damage in Alabama?
Armadillo damage is shallow conical probe holes 1–3 inches wide scattered in lines or clusters, often appearing overnight. Feral hog damage is much larger — irregular rooting areas several feet wide with extensive soil upheaval, typically along field edges and wooded margins.
Do groundhogs live in southern Alabama?
Groundhogs are most common in northern Alabama and are uncommon in the hot southern counties. In southern Alabama, armadillos, raccoons, and skunks are the more likely yard diggers.
Are there pocket gophers in Alabama?
Yes. The southeastern pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis) occurs in sandy parts of southeastern Alabama. It is a localized species with a restricted range, so confirm its current status with ADCNR before any control action.
What attracts armadillos to my yard?
Armadillos are attracted to lawns and gardens with high grub and insect populations and to loose, easily dug soil. Reducing grubs with a lawn treatment and watering less can make your yard less attractive over time.
What is digging holes in my yard at night in Alabama?
Nocturnal diggers in Alabama are most commonly armadillos, skunks, and raccoons. Armadillos leave wandering lines of shallow probe holes, skunks and raccoons leave small conical holes and peeled-back sod, and feral hogs leave large rooting areas in rural areas. Daytime diggers include groundhogs, moles, and pocket gophers.
Professional Wildlife Removal in Alabama
If you need professional help, see our Wildlife Removal Cost: $200-$1,500 (2026 Complete Price Guide) for pricing information. Costs vary by animal type and infestation severity.
Sources: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Auburn University), USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice.