Quick Answer
The most common animals digging holes in yards are armadillos, skunks, raccoons, and moles. Armadillos leave conical 1-3 inch deep holes in a wandering line. Skunks make similar but fewer holes near structures. Raccoons peel back sod. Moles create raised tunnels with volcano-shaped mounds.
Quick Answer
In Georgia, the most common yard diggers are armadillos (expanding range from south), skunks, raccoons, moles, and voles. Armadillos leave shallow conical holes in a line. Skunks dig small conical holes near structures. Moles create raised surface tunnels.
Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Georgia
Georgia's diverse geography — from the coastal plains of the south to the Appalachian foothills in the north — supports a wide range of wildlife that dig in residential yards. Whether you live in Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, or Augusta, chances are you have encountered holes in your lawn, raised tunnels in your grass, or burrow entrances near your home's foundation.
Correctly identifying the animal responsible is critical because each species requires a different management approach. Some, like the eastern mole, are merely nuisances. Others, like armadillos, can cause significant structural damage. And some, like the gopher tortoise (found in south Georgia), are legally protected.
This guide synthesizes data from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), University of Georgia Extension, and the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services program.
Georgia Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table
| Animal | Hole Size & Shape | Depth | Damage Pattern | Georgia Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nine-banded Armadillo | Conical, 3-5 inch diameter | 1-3 inches (shallow) | Dozens of holes in a wandering line | South and Central GA; expanding north |
| Striped Skunk | Conical, 3-4 inch diameter | 2-4 inches | Fewer holes, more scattered; often near structures | Statewide |
| Raccoon | Irregular torn patches | Shallow (sod rolled back) | Sod peeled back in sections | Statewide |
| Eastern Mole | Raised surface tunnels; no mounds | Just below surface | Ridged trails through grass | Statewide; most common in north GA |
| Pine Vole | 1-1.5 inch holes, no mound | Surface to 3 inches | Surface runways under mulch; girdled plant roots | Statewide |
| Eastern Chipmunk | 2-3 inch clean hole | Several feet deep | Burrow under stones, walls, or foundations | North and Central GA |
| Gopher Tortoise | Large burrow, 6-12 inch entrance | Up to 30+ feet deep | Sandy apron; half-moon entrance | South GA only (below fall line) |
| Groundhog (Woodchuck) | 6-8 inch burrow entrance | Several feet deep | Large mound of dirt at entrance; nearby vegetation eaten | North GA mountains and foothills |
Armadillos in Georgia: An Expanding Problem
The nine-banded armadillo was absent from Georgia until the 1970s, when it began expanding northward from Florida. Today, armadillos are common throughout south and central Georgia and are increasingly reported in the Atlanta metro area. According to the Georgia DNR, armadillos have been confirmed in over 100 of Georgia's 159 counties.
Armadillos dig for grubs and earthworms, creating dozens of shallow conical holes in a single night. They prefer moist, shaded areas with loose soil and are most active from dusk to dawn. In Georgia, armadillo damage peaks from May through September when soil moisture is highest.
Identifying Armadillo Damage vs Other Diggers
| Feature | Armadillo | Skunk | Mole |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hole shape | Conical, 3-5 inches | Conical, 3-4 inches | No visible hole (raised tunnel) |
| Hole depth | 1-3 inches | 2-4 inches | N/A (subsurface) |
| Number of holes | Dozens in one night | Fewer (5-10) | No holes (tunnels) |
| Mound present? | No | No | No (but may push up ridges) |
| Footprints | 4-toe front, 5-toe back | 5 toes, claw marks | Rarely visible |
| Odor | None | Strong musk near den | None |
Skunks: Georgia's Nighttime Diggers
Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) are common throughout Georgia and are the second most common cause of lawn digging after armadillos. Skunks dig for grubs, insects, and earthworms, creating small conical holes similar to armadillo holes but typically shallower and more scattered. The key differentiator is that skunk damage is usually concentrated near structures — under decks, near foundations, or along fence lines where they feel protected.
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Another telltale sign of skunks is the presence of small, 1-inch diameter divots in the lawn where they have probed for insects with their noses. These "skunk divots" are often found in rows and look like someone pressed a finger into the soil repeatedly.
Moles and Voles: Subsurface Damage
Eastern Moles
Eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus) create raised surface tunnels that look like ridges running through your lawn. They do not create visible holes or mounds (that is the pocket gopher). Moles eat earthworms and soil insects, not plant roots. Their tunnels can kill grass by separating roots from soil, creating brown streaks in the lawn.
Pine Voles
Pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) create surface runways under mulch or leaf litter and 1-1.5 inch holes with no surrounding mound. Unlike moles, voles DO eat plant roots and can girdle the base of shrubs and small trees, killing them. If your plants are dying for no apparent reason and you see small holes nearby, suspect voles.
Mole vs Vole Comparison
| Feature | Eastern Mole | Pine Vole |
|---|---|---|
| Diet | Earthworms, soil insects | Plant roots, bulbs, bark |
| Surface damage | Raised tunnels/ridges | Surface runways under mulch |
| Holes | None visible | 1-1.5 inch, no mound |
| Plant damage | Brown grass streaks | Girdled roots, dying shrubs |
| Body size | 4-7 inches, paddle-like feet | 3-5 inches, mouse-like |
Seasonal Digging Patterns in Georgia
| Season | Most Active Diggers | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar-May) | Skunks, armadillos, chipmunks | Grub emergence; breeding season; soil thaws in north GA |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Armadillos, moles, voles | Peak insect activity; soil moisture high; armadillo young foraging |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Skunks, raccoons, chipmunks | Acorn/nut season; animals building fat reserves |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Moles, voles (reduced surface activity) | Frozen surface soil in north GA limits digging; moles stay active below frost line |
How to Stop Animals from Digging in Your Georgia Yard
1. Reduce Grub Populations
Most digging animals are attracted to grubs. Apply beneficial nematodes or milky spore in spring or early summer when soil temperatures are above 60°F. According to University of Georgia Extension, beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) can reduce grub populations by up to 80% within one season.
2. Exclusion Fencing
- Armadillos: 24-inch fence buried 12-18 inches with L-shaped footer
- Skunks: 3-foot fence buried 6 inches; also seal openings under decks and sheds
- Groundhogs: 3-foot fence buried 12 inches with a top rail; they can climb
3. Live Trapping
In Georgia, armadillos and skunks can be live-trapped on private property. However, Georgia DNR regulations require that trapped wildlife be euthanized — it is illegal to relocate wildlife off your property without a permit. Check local ordinances before trapping.
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4. Habitat Modification
- Remove brush piles, fallen logs, and debris
- Keep grass mowed short
- Reduce irrigation to lower grub and earthworm populations
- Use hardware cloth (1/4 inch mesh) to protect bulb plantings from voles
Georgia-Specific Regulations
- Gopher Tortoises: State-threatened in Georgia (found only south of the fall line). Protected under Georgia's Wild Animal Law. Contact Georgia DNR for relocation permits.
- Armadillos: No protection. Can be trapped and removed on private property.
- Skunks/Raccoons: Can be trapped on private property but must be euthanized on-site. Off-site relocation requires a DNR permit.
- Groundhogs: Classified as nuisance wildlife in Georgia. Can be removed without a permit on private property.
FAQ: Georgia Yard Digging
Are armadillos in north Georgia yet?
As of 2026, armadillos have been confirmed in most counties south of Interstate 20, with increasing sightings in the Atlanta metro area. They have not yet become established in the mountain counties of north Georgia, but their range continues to expand northward at approximately 4-6 miles per year according to Georgia DNR tracking data.
What is digging small conical holes in my lawn?
In Georgia, small conical holes (3-4 inches wide, 2-4 inches deep) are most likely from skunks. Larger conical holes (3-5 inches, 1-3 inches deep) in a wandering line are from armadillos. Very small holes (under 1 inch) could be from voles, shrews, or solitary bees.
How do I know if I have moles or voles?
If you see raised ridges/tunnels in your grass with no visible holes, you have moles. If you see small holes (1-1.5 inches) with surface runways under mulch, and your shrubs are dying with girdled roots, you have voles. Moles eat insects; voles eat plants.
What should I do if I find a gopher tortoise burrow?
Gopher tortoises are a threatened species in Georgia. Do not fill in, collapse, or block the burrow entrance. Contact the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division for guidance. They can advise on whether a permitted relocation is appropriate.
Do Georgia skunks carry rabies?
Yes, skunks are one of the primary rabies vector species in Georgia along with raccoons, bats, and foxes. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, skunks account for approximately 15-20% of confirmed rabies cases in the state. Never approach a skunk, especially one active during daylight hours.
Sources: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, University of Georgia Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, Georgia Department of Public Health. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice.