Quick Answer
The most common animals digging holes in New Jersey yards are eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus), groundhogs (Marmota monax), striped skunks, raccoons, and meadow voles. In urban neighborhoods, Norway rats also burrow along foundations and under patios. Moles and voles do the most turf damage across the state, while groundhogs cause the most structural damage to foundations and sheds.
Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in New Jersey
New Jersey’s dense mix of suburbs, farmland, and preserved green space supports a wide variety of burrowing wildlife. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension report that yard-digging complaints are among the most common nuisance wildlife calls in the state. Whether you live in suburban Bergen County, agricultural Salem County, or along the shore, 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.
New Jersey Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table
| Animal | Hole Size & Shape | Depth | Damage Pattern | New Jersey 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 at one entrance, undermined foundations and patios | Statewide, especially 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, peeled-up lawn patches | Statewide, especially urban |
| Meadow Vole | 1–2 inch holes with runways | Shallow, 1–4 inches | Surface runways through grass, chewed roots and bulbs | Statewide |
| Norway Rat | 2–3 inch burrow openings along walls | 6–18 inches | Burrows under slabs, patios, and sheds; gnawed wiring | Urban and suburban areas |
Eastern Mole
The eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus) is the most widespread mole in New Jersey and the single most common cause of lawn damage across the state. It is found from the Highlands to the Pine Barrens and down to the shore, favoring moist, loamy soil where earthworms and grubs are abundant.
Moles create two tell-tale signs: volcano-shaped mounds and raised ridged tunnels that crisscross lawns. The ridges are shallow feeding runs just 2–4 inches below the surface and feel soft and spongy underfoot. Contrary to popular belief, moles do not eat plant roots — the damage is indirect: raised tunnels dry out the soil, kill grass roots, and make the lawn uneven and hard to mow.
Mole control is notoriously difficult. Trapping is the most reliable method, using scissor-jaw or harpoon traps set in active tunnels, but it requires skill and patience. Rutgers NJAES recommends identifying fresh tunnels (straight runs connecting two mounds) and setting traps there. Repellents and sonic devices have limited, inconsistent results.
Groundhog / Woodchuck
The groundhog (Marmota monax), also called a woodchuck, is common throughout New Jersey’s suburbs, fields, and highway edges. It digs the largest burrow you are likely to find in a yard — a wide entrance up to a foot across with a prominent dirt mound, leading to tunnels that can run 2 to 6 feet deep and 30 feet or more.
Groundhog burrows are a genuine structural risk. Tunnels under sheds, patios, decks, and foundations can cause settling, and the animals strip gardens and chew through irrigation lines. They are diurnal, so you will usually see the animal itself during the day, especially in early morning and late afternoon from spring through fall.
Exclusion is the most durable solution: bury 1/4-inch hardware cloth at least 18 inches deep with an outward-facing flange along foundations and garden borders. Live trapping with bait such as cantaloupe or fresh greens is effective when done before the breeding season. Groundhogs are not protected in New Jersey, and relocation requires a landowner’s permission or is generally discouraged by NJDEP.
Striped Skunk
The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) forages for grubs and insects in New Jersey lawns at night, leaving small conical holes about 3–4 inches wide. A skunk’s holes are often scattered in a line or cluster where it has probed for beetle grubs just under the sod.
Skunks also dig under porches, decks, and sheds to den. The odor risk is the main concern — a startled skunk sprays a potent musk that is very hard to remove. Skunks are active year-round in New Jersey but do not hibernate; they may go dormant for days in the coldest stretch of winter.
The best prevention is removing food sources and shelter: secure garbage, eliminate pet food left outdoors, and seal under-deck openings with hardware cloth. Because skunks can carry rabies, never approach one, especially if it is active during daylight, and keep pets vaccinated.
Raccoon
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are abundant across New Jersey, including in the densest cities. In yards, they roll back sod and peel up lawn patches while hunting grubs, and they overturn planters and trash cans. Their damage tends to be patchy and looks like someone peeled back sections of turf.
Raccoons are also the most common animal found living in New Jersey attics and crawl spaces. They are nocturnal, so damage that appears overnight — especially torn sod and tipped garbage — is a strong sign of raccoons. They are intelligent and persistent, and they quickly learn to defeat simple deterrents.
Reduce attractants: use locking or weighted garbage lids, bring pet food indoors at night, and harvest fruit promptly. For an animal living in an attic or under a deck, professional removal is strongly recommended — raccoons are a rabies vector species in New Jersey, and eviction should happen after any kits are old enough to leave.
Meadow Vole
Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are small rodents that make shallow surface runways through grass and dig small entrance holes about 1–2 inches wide. They are often mistaken for moles, but voles leave visible grass runways and chew plants at the base rather than raising soil ridges.
Voles are most damaging in winter, when they tunnel under snow and girdle the bark of young trees, shrubs, and perennials — a problem that becomes visible in spring as dying plants. Their populations cycle, with occasional boom years that cause sudden, widespread lawn damage.
Control combines habitat management and exclusion: keep grass mowed short, clear mulch and ground cover away from plant bases, and protect young trees with hardware cloth cylinders. Trapping and rodenticide baiting are options but should follow Rutgers NJAES IPM guidance to avoid risks to pets and wildlife.
Norway Rat
In New Jersey’s cities and older suburbs, Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) dig burrow systems along foundations, under patios, and beneath sheds. Burrow openings are smooth, 2–3 inches across, and often appear along a wall or slab edge with packed soil around the entrance.
Rat burrows are usually a sign of a nearby food source — uncovered trash, pet food, bird feeders, or compost. Rats are a health concern and can chew through wiring and insulation, creating a fire risk. They breed rapidly, so a small burrow can become a large infestation quickly.
The most effective response is sanitation plus exclusion: eliminate food sources, seal gaps larger than 1/2 inch around pipes and doors, and remove harborage like woodpiles. Professional baiting programs are often needed for established infestations and are the recommended route in urban New Jersey.
Seasonal Digging Patterns in New Jersey
| 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey wildlife removal to find qualified operators in your area. The average cost for professional wildlife removal in New Jersey ranges from $250 to $1,000, depending on the species, severity of infestation, and accessibility of the site.
New Jersey-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 on their property; check local ordinances for trapping and shooting restrictions.
- Striped skunk: Classified as a furbearer in New Jersey. Trapping requires a valid New Jersey trapping license during the open season. Relocation is generally not permitted.
- Raccoon: Classified as a furbearer. Trapping requires a license and is subject to open-season rules; nuisance raccoons may be handled by licensed wildlife control operators. Relocation is not permitted.
- Norway rat: Not protected. May be controlled by landowners; professional pest control is recommended in urban areas.
FAQ: New Jersey Yard Digging
What is making small holes in my lawn at night in New Jersey?
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 New Jersey year-round.
How do I tell the difference between a mole and a vole?
Moles raise volcano-shaped mounds and surface ridges, and they eat insects. Voles leave shallow runways through grass, eat plant roots and stems, and their holes are small (1–2 inches). You rarely see a mole, while voles are sometimes active in daylight.
Do New Jersey groundhogs hibernate?
Groundhogs are true hibernators. In New Jersey they typically enter deep torpor from late fall and emerge in late winter or early spring, usually around February, which is why groundhog burrow activity often reappears suddenly in early spring.
How deep are groundhog burrows in New Jersey?
Groundhog burrows can reach 2 to 6 feet deep and extend 30 feet or more, with multiple entrances. The main entrance has a distinctive dirt mound, and there are usually one or two hidden escape holes.
Are moles active all year in New Jersey?
Yes. Eastern moles are active year-round in New Jersey. They are most noticeable in spring and fall when soil moisture is ideal and prey is abundant, but they continue to tunnel under frozen turf in winter and during summer drought.
What is digging holes in my yard at night in New Jersey?
Nocturnal diggers in New Jersey are most commonly skunks and raccoons hunting grubs, which leave small conical holes and peeled-back sod. Norway rats dig smooth burrow openings along foundations, and opossums make shallow scrapes in mulch. If fresh holes appear overnight, it is almost certainly one of these nocturnal species; daytime diggers like groundhogs and moles are active during daylight.
Professional Wildlife Removal in New Jersey
If you need professional wildlife removal or pest control services in New Jersey, our local guides cover the following cities:
- Newark, NEW JERSEY — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
- Jersey City, NEW JERSEY — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
- Paterson, NEW JERSEY — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
- Trenton, NEW JERSEY — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
- Camden, NEW JERSEY — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
- Atlantic City, NEW JERSEY — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
Professional Wildlife Removal in New Jersey
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: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Division of Fish and Wildlife, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice.