Quick Answer
The most common animals digging holes in Missouri yards are eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus), meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), groundhogs (Marmota monax), striped skunks, and raccoons. In the southern half of the state, nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) are common and leave distinctive shallow probe holes in lawns and gardens. Moles and voles do the most turf damage statewide.
Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Missouri
Missouri’s mix of Ozark forest, prairie farmland, and expanding suburbs supports a wide variety of burrowing wildlife. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and University of Missouri Extension field steady yard-digging complaints, and southern counties increasingly report armadillo damage. 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.
Missouri Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table
| Animal | Hole Size & Shape | Depth | Damage Pattern | Missouri 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 northern MO |
| 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 | Statewide, especially farmland edges |
| 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 |
| Nine-Banded Armadillo | Conical holes 1–3 inches wide in a wandering line | 1–2 inches | Multiple shallow holes in a line or cluster, uprooted mulch and plants | Southern half of Missouri |
Eastern Mole
The eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is the most common lawn-damaging mole in Missouri, especially in the northern two-thirds of the state where soils are moist and deep. 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 Missouri Extension recommends timing for spring and fall, the peak damage windows.
Meadow Vole
Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are widespread in Missouri and can be very damaging in lawns and gardens. They create shallow runways through grass, dig small 1–2 inch entrance holes, and chew plant stems, roots, and bark.
Vole damage is most visible in spring after winter girdling of young trees and shrubs beneath snow cover. Populations boom on a multi-year cycle.
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 Missouri Extension IPM guidance.
Groundhog / Woodchuck
Groundhogs (Marmota monax) are common across Missouri, especially along farmland edges, fencerows, and suburban lots. 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, sheds, patios, and outbuildings and 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri.
Raccoon
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are abundant across Missouri, including St. Louis and Kansas City. 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.
Nine-Banded Armadillo
The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is now common across the southern half of Missouri and is a frequent cause of yard digging. Armadillos forage for grubs and insects by rooting through soil, leaving shallow conical holes 1–3 inches wide in wandering lines, along with uprooted mulch and plants.
Armadillo damage looks distinctive — multiple small probe holes scattered across a lawn or garden in a line or cluster, often appearing overnight. They are most active at dusk and night and will return repeatedly once they find a reliable food source.
Control focuses on reducing the grub population that attracts them and excluding them from gardens with buried hardware cloth. Armadillos are not protected in Missouri; check current MDC guidance for handling options.
Seasonal Digging Patterns in Missouri
| 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 Missouri 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 Missouri wildlife removal to find qualified operators in your area. The average cost for professional wildlife removal in Missouri ranges from $250 to $1,000, depending on the species, severity of infestation, and accessibility of the site.
Missouri-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 Missouri. Trapping requires a permit during the open season; nuisance situations are handled by licensed wildlife control operators.
- Raccoon: Classified as a furbearer. Trapping is subject to permit and season rules; relocation is not permitted.
- Nine-banded armadillo: Not protected in Missouri. Landowners may control armadillos on their property; follow current MDC guidance.
FAQ: Missouri Yard Digging
Are armadillos common in Missouri?
Armadillos are common across the southern half of Missouri and are expanding northward. They are most frequently reported in the Ozarks and along the Missouri and Mississippi river valleys, and less common in the far north.
How do I tell an armadillo hole from a skunk hole in Missouri?
Armadillo holes are shallow, conical, 1–3 inches wide, and appear in wandering lines or clusters of many small probe holes, often with uprooted mulch. Skunk holes are similar in size but usually fewer and scattered, typically near lawn edges and under structures.
Do Missouri groundhogs hibernate?
Yes. Missouri groundhogs are true hibernators, typically entering torpor in late fall and emerging in late winter or early spring, often around February.
Are moles active all year in Missouri?
Moles do not hibernate. Eastern moles in Missouri remain active year-round, digging deeper to follow earthworms when the surface freezes. Damage is most visible in spring and fall.
What is digging up my lawn in southern Missouri?
In southern Missouri, a sudden cluster of shallow conical probe holes is most likely armadillo foraging. Scattered holes near structures are typically skunks or raccoons, mounds and runways are moles and voles, and large burrow entrances with dirt mounds are groundhogs.
What is digging holes in my yard at night in Missouri?
Nocturnal diggers in Missouri are most commonly skunks, raccoons, and (in southern counties) armadillos. Skunks and raccoons leave small conical holes and peeled-back sod while hunting grubs; armadillos leave wandering lines of probe holes. Daytime diggers include groundhogs, moles, and voles.
Professional Wildlife Removal in Missouri
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: Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), University of Missouri Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice.