Quick Answer
The most common animals digging holes in Idaho yards are the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides), the Idaho pocket gopher (Thomomys idahoensis) and the Townsend's ground squirrel (Urocitellus townsendii), with voles, striped skunks, and raccoons close behind. Throughout the mountain valleys and irrigated farmland of southern and eastern Idaho, pocket gophers cause the worst turf and garden damage, while Townsend's ground squirrels are the top digger in dry, sagebrush-dominated yards. Moles are essentially absent west of the Pecatello–Idaho Falls country, so Idaho diggers are almost always gophers, ground squirrels, voles, or grub-hunting mammals.
Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Idaho
Idaho splits into two very different digging-problem zones. The dry, high-desert valleys of southern and eastern Idaho — the Snake River Plain and the Owyhee/Great Basin steppe — favor pocket gophers and ground squirrels that thrive in sandy, low-moisture soils. Northern and central Idaho, with their Rocky Mountain forests and wetter meadows, support northern pocket gophers, voles, and a somewhat different cast. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and the University of Idaho (U of I) Extension both rank burrowing animals among the most common nuisance wildlife complaints in the state.
Key Identification Tip: Before you identify the species, check whether your holes have mounds. Hard-packed, fan-shaped mounds left in an arc with a soil plug = pocket gopher. Messy 4-6 inch burrow openings spread over open, dry ground = Townsend's ground squirrel. Shallow 1-2 inch holes with surface runways through grass = voles. Shallow, scattered pits without mounds = skunks or raccoons digging for grubs. This one distinction eliminates half the possibilities immediately.
Idaho Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table
| Animal | Hole Size & Shape | Depth | Damage Pattern | Idaho Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Pocket Gopher | Fan-shaped, plug-capped mounds | 6-18 inches deep, branching tunnel systems | Mounds in tight arcs; pulled-down plants in gardens and fields | Statewide, concentrated in irrigated valleys and mountain meadows |
| Idaho Pocket Gopher | Larger mounds, 18-24 inches wide with off-center plug | Deep runways 12-24 inches below grade | Widespread heaved-up turf; kills large garden and lawn areas | Northern Idaho valleys and wet meadows |
| Townsend's Ground Squirrel | Messy entrance holes, 4-6 inches wide with loose dirt | Burrows 1-3 feet deep, colony systems | Clusters of holes across open, dry ground; eaten plants and bulbs | Southern Idaho sagebrush steppe and dry valleys |
| Meadow Vole | 1-2 inch holes with surface runways | Shallow, 1-4 inches | Runways through grass; girdled trees and shrubs | Statewide, heaviest in moist, irrigated areas |
| Striped Skunk | 3-4 inch conical holes | Shallow, 1-2 inches | Small scattered holes and flipped sod (grub hunting) | Statewide, common in towns and irrigated farmland |
| Raccoon | Peeled-back sod, 6-12 inch patches | Shallow digging into top few inches | Lifted turf, overturned planters and trash, dug-up bulbs | Statewide, most common in river valleys and cities |
Northern Pocket Gopher
The northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) is the most widespread and damaging underground digger in Idaho. It favors loose, sandy, low-moisture soils, which is exactly what Idaho's dry mountain valleys and irrigated farmland provide. IDFG and U of I Extension both report gopher damage as the top burrowing-animal complaint across the state, from the Treasure Valley to the Panhandle.
Northern pocket gophers push up distinctive fan-shaped mounds capped with an off-center soil plug, and these mounds appear in a rough arc because the animals seal their tunnels as they go. They do not create raised surface ridge tunnels the way moles do. Gophers feed on roots, tubers, and entire plants, pulling young garden plants and alfalfa crowns down into their tunnels and leaving sudden disappearance holes.
Where legal and effective, tunnel trapping with pincher or box traps is the primary control recommended by U of I Extension. Locate the main tunnel, open it, and set traps facing both directions. On larger properties, bait registered in Idaho and placed in the lateral tunnels can help, but always follow label and IDFG guidance to avoid harming non-target animals. Exclusion with buried hardware cloth protects specific beds and orchards.
Idaho Pocket Gopher
The Idaho pocket gopher (Thomomys idahoensis) is the dominant large gopher of Idaho’s foothills and valley edges's valleys and wet meadows. It builds the biggest gopher mounds in the state — often 18-24 inches across — and deep runways 12-24 inches below grade, and it is the species most likely to heave up entire stands of lawn, garden beds, and pasture in a matter of days. In cool, irrigated northern Idaho sites it replaces the northern pocket gopher as the key turf pest.
Idaho pocket gophers are exceptional diggers that can expand their tunnel systems quickly through rich, loamy valley bottom soils. Their large, messy mounds smother grass and complicate mowing, and their feeding can strip root systems from young trees and irrigated crops along the base of the Rocky Mountains and in the Panhandle's valleys.
Because they build heavier, deeper systems, the same pincher and box traps that work on northern pocket gophers, plus the Deep Set and Macabee-style traps, are the most effective control. Multiple trap sets in active fresher tunnels are usually required, and re-checking regularly is essential because disturbed systems are reworked quickly. For large fields, coordinate bait programs with a licensed applicator who follows U of I IPM guidance.
Townsend's Ground Squirrel
The Townsend's ground squirrel (Urocitellus townsendii) is the signature digger of southern Idaho's dry sagebrush steppe and open valleys. Unlike gophers, it lives in loose colonies of connected burrows and appears above ground during the day. Its burrow entrances are messy, 4-6 inch holes scattered with expelled dirt, often dotting open ground, along fencerows, and in unirrigated lawns.
Townsend's ground squirrels feed on grasses, forbs, garden vegetables, young shoots, and bulbs, and they can wipe out a newly planted garden bed quickly. They are most active in spring and early summer, then largely enter a period of inactivity (estivation) during the hottest, driest part of the summer before reduced fall activity. This seasonal lull often catches homeowners off guard.
Control options include exclusion fencing buried at least 1-2 feet with an outward flange, thinning cover and food sources around buildings, and registered baiting in larger areas. Because they are not protected in Idaho, Townsend's ground squirrels may be controlled on private property. U of I Extension advises timing control for spring before females produce young, when a single colony is easiest to address.
Meadow Vole
Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are present statewide and cause some of the most underrated yard damage in Idaho. They dig small 1-2 inch entrance holes connected by shallow surface runways through grass, and they girdle the bark of young trees, shrubs, and perennials — damage that often only shows up as plants die back in spring.
Voles are most damaging in winter when they tunnel under snow or heavy mulch, and their populations cycle, with boom years causing sudden, widespread lawn damage. They are commonly mistaken for moles, but voles leave runways and chew plants at ground level rather than raising soil ridges. Voles are especially problematic in moist, irrigated lawns and around the edges of hay and pasture fields.
Control is habitat-focused: keep grass mowed, clear mulch and ground cover away from plant bases, and protect young trees with hardware cloth cylinders. Mowing and reducing thatch are the single most effective non-chemical measures. Rodenticide baiting should follow U of I IPM guidance to avoid risks to hawks, owls, and pets that prey on voles.
Skunk
Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) forage for grubs in Idaho lawns at night, leaving small conical holes 3-4 inches wide scattered across the sod. Skunks probe the turf for beetle grubs, and their holes often appear in clusters or lines where they worked a grub patch. They are common around towns, irrigated farmland, and anywhere turf is watered in the dry southern half of the state.
Skunks also dig under porches, decks, and sheds to den, and the odor risk is the main concern — a startled skunk sprays a musk that is very hard to remove. Skunks do not hibernate; they may become less active in the coldest weeks but resume foraging quickly in Idaho's milder lower valleys.
The best prevention is removing food and shelter: secure garbage, eliminate outdoor pet food, and seal under-deck openings with hardware cloth. Because skunks can carry rabies, never approach one — especially one active in daylight — and keep pets vaccinated. IDFG classifies skunks as furbearers, so trapping rules vary by season and license requirements.
Raccoon
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are abundant along Idaho's rivers and in its towns, including Boise, Nampa, and Idaho Falls. In yards they roll back sod and peel up patches while hunting grubs, overturn planters and trash cans, and dig up newly planted bulbs. Their damage tends to be patchy and looks like lifted sections of turf.
Raccoons are also among the most common animals found living in Idaho attics and crawl spaces. They are nocturnal, so damage that appears overnight — torn sod, tipped garbage — is a strong sign of raccoons. They quickly learn to defeat simple deterrents.
Reduce attractants with locking garbage lids, bring pet food indoors at night, and harvest fruit promptly. For an animal living in an attic or crawl space, professional removal is recommended — raccoons are a rabies vector species in Idaho, and eviction should happen only after any kits are old enough to leave on their own.
Seasonal Digging Patterns in Idaho
| Season | Most Active Diggers | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Northern & Idaho pocket gophers, Townsend's ground squirrels, voles | Warm, moist soil ideal for tunneling; ground squirrels emerge and breed |
| Summer | Pocket gophers, skunks, raccoons | Gophers peak in irrigated gardens; skunks and raccoons hunt grubs at night; most ground squirrels estivate |
| Fall | Pocket gophers, voles, raccoons | Animals build winter food caches and fat stores before cold |
| Winter | Voles (under snow), pocket gophers | Voles tunnel under snow and mulch; gophers stay active in insulated burrows |
How to Get Rid of Animals Digging in Your Idaho Yard
1. Identify Before You Treat
Because Idaho's digging animals range from unprotected, controllable species (ground squirrels and gophers) to furbearers with seasonal rules (skunks and raccoons), correct identification is the first step. Use the identification table above, or contact your county U of I Extension office for help confirming a gopher versus ground squirrel versus vole before you invest in traps or baits.
2. Trapping (Gophers & Ground Squirrels)
Trapping remains the most reliable method for pocket gophers. Set pincher or box traps in the main tunnel, opening it from above and placing traps facing both directions. For Townsend's ground squirrels, cage traps baited with grain or seeds can reduce small colonies around buildings. Check traps regularly and reset in fresh tunnels as activity shifts.
3. Exclusion Fencing
For gophers, ground squirrels, and voles, bury 1/4-inch hardware cloth at least 18 inches to 2 feet deep along garden and foundation borders, with an outward flange at the bottom. Protect young trees and shrubs with wire cylinders. This is the most durable protection against persistent diggers in Idaho's dry soils.
4. Habitat Modification & Grub Control
Reduce skunk and raccoon foraging by controlling lawn grubs with beneficial nematodes and following U of I IPM guidance. Clear brush piles, tall grass, and dense ground cover that shelter diggers. Keep lawns mowed and eliminate food sources such as fallen fruit, birdseed spills, and outdoor pet food. On dry southern properties, reducing heavy localized irrigation can discourage ground squirrel burrowing.
5. Professional Wildlife Removal
If DIY methods fail or you have a persistent species, contact a licensed wildlife removal service. Licensed operators have the equipment, permits, and experience to handle stubborn gopher systems, ground squirrel colonies, and raccoons in attics. Search for Idaho wildlife removal to find qualified operators. The average cost for professional wildlife removal in Idaho ranges from $250 to $1,000, depending on species, severity, and site access.
Idaho-Specific Regulations
- Northern & Idaho pocket gopher: Not protected in Idaho. May be trapped or baited by landowners using registered methods.
- Townsend's ground squirrel: Not protected in Idaho. May be controlled on private property by landowners or their agents.
- Meadow vole: Not protected. May be trapped, excluded, or controlled by landowners.
- Skunk: Classified as a furbearer by IDFG; trapping rules and license requirements vary by season. Relocation restrictions may apply.
- Raccoon: Raccoons are furbearers in Idaho; nuisance raccoons may be trapped by licensed wildlife control operators. Check local ordinances before any action.
- Moles: Moles are rare west of the southeast corner of Idaho and are largely absent across the state; where present, they are not protected and may be trapped.
FAQ: Idaho Yard Digging
What is making small holes in my lawn at night in Idaho?
Small holes appearing overnight are typically from striped skunks probing for grubs. They leave conical holes 3-4 inches across, often in clusters. Raccoons leave larger peeled-back patches of sod, and their activity is also mostly nocturnal.
How do I tell a pocket gopher from a mole in Idaho?
Moles are essentially absent across most of Idaho, so almost all mound damage is from pocket gophers. Gophers make flat, fan-shaped mounds with an off-center plug and eat plants, pulling them down into their tunnels. True moles make volcano-shaped mounds and raised ridge tunnels and eat insects — a combination nearly unseen in Idaho.
What is the difference between a pocket gopher and a Townsend's ground squirrel in Idaho?
Pocket gophers are solitary, spend nearly all their time underground, and leave rows of plugged mounds. Townsend's ground squirrels live in loose colonies, appear above ground by day, and leave open, messy burrow entrances 4-6 inches wide in dry, open ground. The presence of open holes versus plugged mounds is the easiest distinction.
Are ground squirrels protected in Idaho?
Townsend's ground squirrels are not protected in Idaho and may be controlled on private property by landowners. Coordinating timing with U of I Extension help is recommended so you target females before they produce young, when a colony is easiest to address.
How do I get rid of pocket gophers in Idaho?
Trapping in active main tunnels is the most effective method. Locate a fresh, straight tunnel connecting two mounds, open it from above, and set pincher or box traps facing both directions. Check and reset frequently as the gopher backfills disturbed tunnels. Repellents have limited, inconsistent results in Idaho's dry soils.
Why do I see holes in my yard in southern Idaho in the summer?
In dry southern Idaho, summer holes are most often fresh pocket gopher work in irrigated lawns and gardens, or skunks and raccoons hunting grubs at night. Townsend's ground squirrels largely become inactive during the hottest weeks (estivation), so fresh daytime burrow digging in midsummer is more likely gopher or grub-foraging activity.
Professional Wildlife Removal in Idaho
If you need professional wildlife removal or pest control services in Idaho, our local guides cover the following cities:
- Boise, IDAHO — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
- Nampa, IDAHO — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
- Meridian, IDAHO — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
- Idaho Falls, IDAHO — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
Professional Wildlife Removal in Idaho
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: Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), University of Idaho (U of I) Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice.