Quick Answer
The most common animals digging holes in Massachusetts yards are eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus), hairy-tailed moles (Parascalops breweri), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), groundhogs (Marmota monax), striped skunks, and raccoons. Moles and voles are responsible for most lawn and turf damage across the state, while groundhogs cause the most structural damage around foundations and outbuildings.
Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ mix of dense suburbs, wooded rural towns, and protected watershed land supports a high density of burrowing wildlife. MassWildlife and UMass Extension field heavy volumes of yard-digging questions every spring. Whether you live in Greater Boston, the Pioneer Valley, or Cape Cod, identifying the animal responsible 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.
Massachusetts Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table
| Animal | Hole Size & Shape | Depth | Damage Pattern | Massachusetts 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, most common in southern/eastern MA |
| Hairy-Tailed Mole | Volcano-shaped mounds, 5–10 inches wide | Tunnels 4–12 inches deep | Mounds in clusters, smaller than eastern mole | Northern and western MA, sandy soils |
| Groundhog / Woodchuck | Large entrance, 8–12 inches wide | 2–6 feet deep | Big dirt mound, undermined foundations, sheds, and stone walls | Statewide, especially suburbs |
| 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 Massachusetts, found throughout the southern and eastern parts of the state where soils are moist and loamy. It feeds almost entirely on earthworms and grubs, and its shallow foraging tunnels are the raised ridges that crisscross lawns.
Eastern moles produce volcano-shaped mounds of excavated soil in addition to the surface ridges. The tunneling dries out soil and kills grass roots, leaving brown, bumpy strips that are difficult to mow. Moles do not eat plant roots — the grass damage is purely indirect.
Trapping in active tunnels is the most effective control, using scissor-jaw or harpoon traps. UMass Extension recommends finding a straight, fresh run connecting two mounds and setting the trap there. Because mole activity is seasonal and patchy, timing matters — spring and fall are the peak damage windows.
Hairy-Tailed Mole
The hairy-tailed mole (Parascalops breweri) is common in northern and western Massachusetts and in sandy, well-drained soils. It resembles the eastern mole but is slightly smaller, has a short, hairy tail, and tends to dig deeper tunnels (4–12 inches), so its mounds often appear in clusters rather than continuous surface ridges.
Like all moles, it eats soil invertebrates and does not damage plants directly, but its tunneling disturbs lawns and gardens. The hairy-tailed mole is also a more consistent digger in colder, rocky terrain where the eastern mole is less common.
Control follows the same approach: set traps in active tunnels. In rocky or heavily wooded lots, live trapping or accepting a tolerable level of activity may be more practical than chasing every mound.
Meadow Vole
Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are among the most damaging small rodents in Massachusetts lawns. They create networks of shallow runways through grass and dig small entrance holes about 1–2 inches across. Unlike moles, voles are plant-eaters and cause direct damage by gnawing stems, roots, and bark.
Vole damage peaks in winter, when the animals tunnel under snow and girdle young trees and shrubs. Come spring, homeowners find dying ornamentals and patchy, runnelled lawns. Vole populations boom and crash in cycles, and boom years bring widespread damage.
Control combines short mowing, removing mulch and ground cover from plant bases, and wrapping young trees with hardware cloth cylinders. Trapping and targeted baiting are effective but should follow UMass Extension IPM guidance.
Groundhog / Woodchuck
The groundhog (Marmota monax) is widespread across Massachusetts suburbs, where it digs large burrows with entrances up to a foot wide and prominent dirt mounds. Burrows extend 2 to 6 feet deep and can run 30 feet or more, often under sheds, decks, patios, and stone walls.
Groundhog burrows pose a real structural risk: tunnels under foundations and outbuildings can cause settling, and the animals strip vegetable gardens and chew irrigation lines. They are diurnal and most visible in the morning and late afternoon from spring through fall.
The most durable solution is exclusion with hardware cloth buried at least 18 inches deep with an outward-facing flange. Live trapping with fresh greens or cantaloupe bait works well before the breeding season. Groundhogs are not protected in Massachusetts, though relocation of captured animals requires landowner permission and is generally discouraged by MassWildlife.
Striped Skunk
The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is common statewide and forages for grubs in Massachusetts lawns at night, leaving small conical holes about 3–4 inches wide. Skunk damage appears as scattered probing holes, often near the lawn edge or along fences.
Skunks den under porches, decks, sheds, and rock piles. Their scent spray is the main practical problem, and skunks are a primary rabies vector species in the Northeast. A skunk active in daylight is a potential rabies warning sign and should never be approached.
Prevention centers on removing food and shelter: secure trash, bring pet food indoors, and close off under-deck openings with hardware cloth. Because skunks are protected as furbearers, trapping is restricted to the regulated season or licensed nuisance operators.
Raccoon
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are abundant in Massachusetts, from Boston to rural Berkshire towns. In yards they peel back sod while hunting grubs, overturn garbage, and raid bird feeders. Their damage is patchy, and fresh sod damage found in the morning is a strong raccoon sign.
Raccoons commonly den in attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces, making them a leading wildlife-removal call. They are nocturnal, intelligent, and persistent, and they are a rabies vector species in Massachusetts, so professional removal is recommended when they take up residence in a structure.
Reduce attractants: secure trash with locking lids, remove pet food and birdseed at night, and cap chimneys. If an animal is living in a building, eviction should be handled by a licensed professional and timed to avoid separating young from the mother.
Seasonal Digging Patterns in Massachusetts
| 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts wildlife removal to find qualified operators in your area. The average cost for professional wildlife removal in Massachusetts ranges from $250 to $1,000, depending on the species, severity of infestation, and accessibility of the site.
Massachusetts-Specific Regulations
- Eastern mole / hairy-tailed 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 on their property; check local ordinances for trapping and shooting rules.
- Striped skunk: Classified as a furbearer in Massachusetts. Trapping requires a valid license during the open season; nuisance situations are handled by licensed wildlife control operators.
- Raccoon: Classified as a furbearer. Trapping is subject to a license and open-season rules; relocation is not permitted. Nuisance raccoons may be addressed by licensed professionals.
- Eastern gray squirrel: Classified as a game animal. Damage to property may be addressed by landowners under nuisance provisions; check current season rules.
FAQ: Massachusetts Yard Digging
What is making small holes in my lawn at night in Massachusetts?
Small holes appearing overnight are typically from skunks or raccoons digging for grubs. Skunks leave conical holes about 3–4 inches wide, while raccoons peel back larger patches of sod. Both are nocturnal and active in Massachusetts year-round.
How do I tell the difference between a mole and a vole in Massachusetts?
Moles raise volcano-shaped mounds and surface ridges and eat insects. Voles leave shallow runways through the grass, eat plant roots and stems, and make small 1–2 inch holes. You rarely see a mole, while voles may be active in daylight, especially under snow cover.
Are groundhogs protected in Massachusetts?
Groundhogs are not protected in Massachusetts. 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 moles hibernate in Massachusetts?
Moles do not truly hibernate. Eastern and hairy-tailed moles remain active year-round in Massachusetts, digging deeper to follow earthworms when the surface freezes. Damage is most visible in spring and fall, but tunneling continues through winter.
Why do I have so many voles in my Massachusetts yard?
Vole numbers boom on a roughly 3–5 year cycle, and mild winters with good snow cover protect them from predators, allowing populations to spike. When numbers crash, so does damage. Habitat management — short grass, clear plant bases, hardware-cloth tree guards — reduces damage in any year.
What is digging holes in my yard at night in Massachusetts?
Nocturnal diggers in Massachusetts are most commonly skunks and raccoons hunting grubs, which leave small conical holes and peeled-back sod. Opossums make shallow scrapes in mulch and compost. If fresh holes appear overnight, it is almost certainly one of these nocturnal species; groundhogs and moles dig during the day.
Professional Wildlife Removal in Massachusetts
If you need professional wildlife removal or pest control services in Massachusetts, our local guides cover the following cities:
- Boston, MASSACHUSETTS — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
Professional Wildlife Removal in Massachusetts
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: Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), UMass Amherst Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice.