Quick Answer
The most common animals digging holes in Maryland yards are eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus), groundhogs (Marmota monax), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), striped skunks, raccoons, and eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). Moles and voles cause most of the turf damage across the state, while groundhogs cause the most structural damage around foundations, patios, and outbuildings.
Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Maryland
Maryland’s mix of dense suburbs, Chesapeake Bay shoreline, and rolling farmland supports a high density of burrowing wildlife. The Maryland DNR and University of Maryland Extension field steady yard-digging questions, with moles, voles, and groundhogs at the top of the list. Whether you live in the DC suburbs, Baltimore, or the Eastern Shore, 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.
Maryland Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table
| Animal | Hole Size & Shape | Depth | Damage Pattern | Maryland Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Groundhog / Woodchuck | Large entrance, 8–12 inches wide | 2–6 feet deep | Big dirt mound, undermined foundations, patios, and sheds | Statewide, especially suburbs and farmland |
| Meadow Vole | 1–2 inch holes with runways | Shallow, 1–4 inches | Surface runways through grass, chewed roots and bark | Statewide |
| 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 |
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Small 2–3 inch holes, dug-up bulbs | 1–4 inches | Scattered holes in flower beds; bulbs dug up and missing | Statewide, especially wooded suburbs |
Eastern Mole
The eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is the most common lawn-damaging mole in Maryland, found statewide in moist, loamy soil. 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.
Trapping in active tunnels is the reliable control, using scissor-jaw or harpoon traps set in fresh, straight runs. University of Maryland Extension recommends timing for spring and fall, the peak damage windows.
Groundhog / Woodchuck
Groundhogs (Marmota monax) are common across Maryland, especially in suburbs and along farmland and highway edges. They dig large burrows with entrances up to a foot wide and prominent dirt mounds, tunneling 2–6 feet deep and 30 feet or more.
Groundhogs undermine foundations, patios, decks, and sheds, and they 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 Maryland, but check local ordinances and obtain landowner permission before releasing any captured animal.
Meadow Vole
Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are widespread in Maryland and can be very damaging. They create shallow runways through grass, dig small 1–2 inch entrance holes, and chew plant stems, roots, and bark.
Vole damage peaks in winter, when the animals girdle young trees and shrubs beneath snow cover. Populations boom on a multi-year cycle, so damage can spike suddenly.
Control: keep grass short, clear mulch and ground cover from plant bases, and protect young trees with hardware cloth cylinders. Trapping and targeted baiting follow University of Maryland Extension IPM guidance.
Striped Skunk
The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is found statewide and forages for grubs in Maryland 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 Maryland.
Raccoon
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are abundant across Maryland, including Baltimore and the DC suburbs. 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.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are abundant in Maryland’s wooded suburbs and are frequent culprits for dug-up flower beds. They dig small 2–3 inch holes while burying and recovering nuts and while digging up freshly planted bulbs.
Squirrel digging is often seasonal, peaking in fall (nut burying) and spring (bulb planting season). The holes are small, shallow, and scattered, and bulbs are sometimes partially dug up and left on the surface.
To protect bulbs, plant them beneath wire mesh or sprinkle the bed with a taste repellent. Removing bird feeders or using squirrel-proof feeders reduces the food draw that keeps squirrels digging in the yard.
Seasonal Digging Patterns in Maryland
| 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 Maryland 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 Maryland wildlife removal to find qualified operators in your area. The average cost for professional wildlife removal in Maryland ranges from $250 to $1,000, depending on the species, severity of infestation, and accessibility of the site.
Maryland-Specific Regulations
- Eastern mole: Not protected. May be trapped on private property. Poison baits are not recommended due to secondary poisoning risk.
- Meadow vole: Not protected. May be trapped, baited, or excluded by landowners.
- Groundhog: Not protected. Landowners may control groundhogs; check local ordinances for trapping and shooting rules.
- Striped skunk: Classified as a furbearer in Maryland. 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.
- Eastern gray squirrel: Classified as a game animal; property damage may be addressed under nuisance provisions. Check current Maryland DNR season rules.
FAQ: Maryland Yard Digging
What is digging up my flower bulbs in Maryland?
Dug-up bulbs are most often the work of eastern gray squirrels, which bury and recover nuts and dig up freshly planted bulbs in fall and spring. Skunks and raccoons also dig in flower beds hunting grubs, but they leave broader, messier holes.
How do I tell a groundhog burrow from a mole mound in Maryland?
A groundhog burrow has a large entrance (8–12 inches) with a big dirt mound and is usually at ground level. Mole mounds are volcano-shaped, 6–12 inches wide, with no visible opening, and moles also leave raised surface ridges across the lawn.
Are groundhogs protected in Maryland?
Groundhogs are not protected in Maryland. Landowners may control them on their own property, but you should check local municipal ordinances and always follow humane handling practices. Relocation requires landowner permission at the release site.
Do Maryland moles hibernate?
Moles do not hibernate. Eastern moles remain active year-round in Maryland, digging deeper to follow earthworms when the surface freezes. Damage is most visible in spring and fall.
Why do raccoons keep digging up my lawn in Maryland?
Raccoons dig up lawns hunting for grubs. High grub populations from Japanese beetle larvae are the main draw. Treating the lawn for grubs and reducing other attractants — uncovered trash, pet food, birdseed — reduces the digging.
What is digging holes in my yard at night in Maryland?
Nocturnal diggers in Maryland are most commonly skunks and raccoons hunting grubs, which leave small conical holes and peeled-back sod. Opossums make shallow scrapes in mulch. If fresh holes appear overnight, it is almost certainly one of these nocturnal species; groundhogs, moles, and voles dig during the day.
Professional Wildlife Removal in Maryland
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: Maryland Department of Natural Resources, University of Maryland Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice.