Quick Answer
The most common animals digging holes in Minnesota yards are plains pocket gophers (Geomys bursarius), eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus, southeastern MN), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), groundhogs (Marmota monax), striped skunks, and raccoons. Pocket gophers are the most destructive to lawns and gardens in western and central Minnesota — the state is even nicknamed the Gopher State — while moles dominate in the southeast.
Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Minnesota
Minnesota’s mix of prairie, farmland, lakeside suburbs, and northern forest supports a wide variety of burrowing wildlife. The Minnesota DNR and University of Minnesota Extension field steady yard-digging complaints, with pocket gophers and moles at the top of the list. Whether you live in the Twin Cities metro, a western prairie town, or along the North 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.
Minnesota Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table
| Animal | Hole Size & Shape | Depth | Damage Pattern | Minnesota Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plains Pocket Gopher | 2–3 inch openings, crescent/fan-shaped mounds | 6–18 inches deep | Fan-shaped soil mounds with a plugged entrance, killed plants along tunnels | Western and central MN, prairie soils |
| Eastern Mole | Volcano-shaped mounds, 6–12 inches wide | Surface tunnels, 2–4 inches below grade | Raised ridge tunnels across lawns, dead grass patches | Southeastern MN |
| Meadow Vole | 1–2 inch holes with runways | Shallow, 1–4 inches | Surface runways through grass, chewed roots and bark | Statewide |
| Groundhog / Woodchuck | Large entrance, 8–12 inches wide | 2–6 feet deep | Big dirt mound, undermined foundations and sheds | Southern MN, farmland and suburbs |
| 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 |
| Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel | 2–3 inch holes, small mounds | Up to 3 feet deep | Scattered small holes in lawns and gardens, chewed plants | Southern and central MN |
Plains Pocket Gopher
The plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) is the animal behind Minnesota’s nickname — the Gopher State — and it is the most damaging burrowing rodent in western and central Minnesota. These solitary, fossorial rodents spend nearly their entire lives underground and are rarely seen above ground.
The signature sign is a fan-shaped or crescent-shaped mound of soil with the tunnel entrance plugged. Mounds can appear overnight, and a single gopher can produce dozens in a week. Gophers tunnel 6–18 inches deep, feeding on roots and bulbs, which kills ornamental plants, shrubs, and even small trees by severing their root systems.
Trapping is the most effective control for small areas, using gopher-sized traps set in fresh tunnels. Toxic baits and exclusion with buried underground fencing also work. Because gophers are solitary, one animal may be responsible for a whole cluster of mounds — removing it can end a season’s damage.
Eastern Mole
The eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is found in southeastern Minnesota, where moist, loamy soils support abundant earthworms. It creates the volcano-shaped mounds and raised surface ridges that homeowners associate with mole damage.
Moles eat insects, not plants, so the damage is indirect: shallow tunnels dry out soil, kill grass roots, and leave bumpy, uneven turf. Eastern moles are active year-round but most visible in spring and fall when soil moisture is ideal.
Trapping in active tunnels is the reliable control method. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends setting scissor-jaw or harpoon traps in fresh, straight runs and checking them daily.
Meadow Vole
Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are common across Minnesota and cause heavy damage in boom years. They make shallow runways through grass and small 1–2 inch entrance holes, and they chew plant stems, roots, and bark — especially under winter snow cover.
The classic pattern is dying young trees and shrubs in spring after a winter of vole girdling beneath the snow. Vole populations spike on a multi-year cycle, so damage can suddenly appear statewide.
Control: keep lawns mowed, remove mulch and ground cover from plant bases, and protect young trees with hardware cloth cylinders. Trapping and targeted baiting follow University of Minnesota Extension IPM guidance.
Groundhog / Woodchuck
Groundhogs (Marmota monax) are common in southern Minnesota, especially around farmland, fencerows, and suburban edges. They dig large burrows with entrances up to a foot wide and prominent dirt mounds, tunneling 2–6 feet deep and up to 30 feet long.
Groundhogs undermine foundations, sheds, patios, and outbuildings, and they strip gardens through the growing season. They are diurnal, so you will usually see the animal itself, typically in the morning or late afternoon.
Exclusion with buried hardware cloth is the most durable fix. Live trapping with fresh greens or melon works best in early spring before breeding. Groundhogs are not protected in Minnesota, 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 Minnesota lawns at night, leaving small conical holes about 3–4 inches wide. Skunks also den under porches, decks, sheds, and woodpiles.
Skunks are one of the most common rabies vector species in Minnesota, and a skunk active in daylight should never be approached. Their spray is difficult to remove and can deter pets and people from the area.
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 Minnesota.
Raccoon
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are abundant across Minnesota, including in Minneapolis and St. Paul. In yards they roll back sod hunting grubs, overturn garbage, and raid bird feeders. Raccoons are nocturnal, so damage that appears overnight is a strong sign of their activity.
They commonly den in attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces, making them a top wildlife-removal call. Raccoons are a rabies vector species in Minnesota, so any animal living 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, timed to avoid orphaning young.
Seasonal Digging Patterns in Minnesota
| 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota wildlife removal to find qualified operators in your area. The average cost for professional wildlife removal in Minnesota ranges from $250 to $1,000, depending on the species, severity of infestation, and accessibility of the site.
Minnesota-Specific Regulations
- Plains pocket gopher: Not protected. Landowners may trap, bait, or otherwise control gophers on their property.
- 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 Minnesota. 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.
FAQ: Minnesota Yard Digging
Why is Minnesota called the Gopher State?
Minnesota is nicknamed the Gopher State because of the plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius), which was once abundant in the state’s prairies and farmland. The University of Minnesota’s mascot, Goldy Gopher, carries the name.
How do I tell a pocket gopher mound from a mole mound in Minnesota?
Pocket gopher mounds are fan- or crescent-shaped with the tunnel entrance plugged, and they appear in clusters. Mole mounds are volcano-shaped with no visible opening, and moles also leave raised surface ridges across the lawn.
Do Minnesota groundhogs hibernate?
Yes. Groundhogs in Minnesota are true hibernators and may stay underground from late fall until late winter or early spring, often emerging in February or March depending on snow and temperatures.
Are moles active in winter in Minnesota?
Moles do not hibernate. In Minnesota, eastern moles remain active through winter, digging deeper to follow earthworms as the surface freezes. Their tunneling continues, but damage is usually most visible in spring after the snow melts.
What is digging up my lawn at night in Minnesota?
Nocturnal diggers are most commonly skunks and raccoons hunting grubs, which leave small conical holes and peeled-back sod. If the damage is smooth burrow openings along a wall or under a slab, suspect Norway rats in urban areas. Daytime diggers include gophers, moles, and groundhogs.
Are pocket gophers hard to get rid of?
Pocket gophers are solitary and territorial, so often a single animal is responsible for a cluster of mounds. Trapping that single gopher in a fresh tunnel can stop the damage for the season. Because they plug tunnel entrances behind them, bait and trap placement must target active runs.
Professional Wildlife Removal in Minnesota
If you need professional wildlife removal or pest control services in Minnesota, our local guides cover the following cities:
- Minneapolis, MINNESOTA — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
Professional Wildlife Removal in Minnesota
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: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, University of Minnesota Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice.