What Animal Is Digging Holes in My Oregon Yard? (Identification Guide)

Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Oregon

Oregon splits into two very different digging-problem zones. West of the Cascade Range, the wet, mild climate supports the highest mole populations in the United States — Townsend's mole is considered a major turf pest in the Willamette Valley. East of the Cascades, the drier High Desert favors pocket gophers and ground squirrels. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Oregon State University Extension Service both rank burrowing animals among the most common nuisance wildlife complaints in the state.

Key Identification Tip: Before you identify the species, check whether your holes have mounds. Raised volcano mounds or ridged surface tunnels = moles. Hard-packed mounds left in circles = pocket gophers. Large 8-12 inch entrances with a big dirt apron = mountain beaver or groundhog. Shallow scattered pits without mounds = skunks or raccoons grub-hunting. This one distinction eliminates half the possibilities immediately.

Oregon Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table

Animal	Hole Size & Shape	Depth	Damage Pattern	Oregon Range
Coast Mole	Volcano-shaped mounds, 8-14 inches wide	Surface tunnels, 2-4 inches below grade	Raised ridged tunnels across lawns, dead grass strips	West of Cascades, statewide lowlands
Townsend's Mole	Large mounds up to 18 inches wide	Deep runways, 6-12 inches below grade	Huge mounds and tunnels that kill large lawn areas	Willamette Valley, western Oregon
Mountain Beaver	Large entrance, 8-10 inches wide with apron	Burrows 2-5 feet long, shallow system	Stripped vegetation, excavated den entrances along slopes and under structures	West of Cascades, moist brushy areas
Botta's / Northern Pocket Gopher	Fan-shaped, plug-capped mounds	6-18 inches deep, tunnel systems	Kidney-shaped mounds in arcs; pulled-down plants in gardens	East of Cascades, High Desert
Meadow Vole	1-2 inch holes with surface runways	Shallow, 1-4 inches	Runways through grass, girdled trees and shrubs	Statewide
Striped / Western Spotted Skunk	3-4 inch conical holes	Shallow, 1-2 inches	Small scattered holes and flipped sod (grub hunting)	Statewide

Coast Mole

The coast mole (Scapanus orarius) is the most common mole west of the Cascades and the primary cause of lawn damage across western Oregon lowlands. It favors moist, loamy soils where earthworms and grubs thrive, which is exactly what Oregon's wet winters produce. OSU Extension reports mole damage is the most frequent lawn complaint from Portland to Medford.

Coast moles throw up volcano-shaped mounds and raised ridged tunnels that crisscross lawns. The ridges are shallow feeding runs, and mounds tend to cluster near fence lines, driveways, and other hard edges. Moles do not eat plant roots, but the raised tunnels dry out soil and kill grass, leaving the lawn bumpy and unsightly.

Trapping is the most reliable control. OSU Extension recommends scissor-jaw or harpoon traps set in actively used tunnels. Locate a fresh tunnel (a straight run connecting two mounds), open it, and set the trap. Repellents and sonic devices have inconsistent results. Because Townsend's and coast moles are technically unprotected but mole trapping is best concentrated in the damper months, timing control to spring and fall keeps damage at a minimum.

Townsend's Mole

Townsend's mole (Scapanus townsendii) is the largest North American mole and the most damaging turf pest in Oregon's Willamette Valley. It builds huge mounds up to 18 inches across and deep runways 6-12 inches below grade, and it is the mole species most resistant to simple control methods because it digs deeper and covers ground fast.

Its damage is dramatic — large areas of lawn lifted and killed in a matter of days, especially in the fertile, irrigated soils around Salem, Corvallis, and Eugene. Townsend's moles are so numerous in parts of the Valley that they have been the subject of dedicated OSU cooperative research on mole biology and control.

Because they operate deeper, scissor-jaw traps alone often miss them. The most effective approach combines locating main tunnels (the deeper, straighter runs) and using multiple trap types, or working with a professional mole-control operator who uses tunnel finders and specialized traps. Habitat modification — limiting irrigation of turf adjacent to borders and reducing soil moisture — can also reduce their movement.

Mountain Beaver

Despite the name, the mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) is neither a beaver nor a mountain dweller — it is a primitive rodent found only in the damp brushy parts of the Pacific Northwest, most commonly in western Oregon. It digs large, shallow burrow systems (typically 2-5 feet total) with big entrance holes 8-10 inches across and a characteristic apron of excavated dirt.

Because the mountain beaver is a native species with restricted range, it is protected under Oregon wildlife rules, and ODFW discourages lethal control. Mountain beavers strip vegetation around their dens, gnaw shrubs and young trees, and undermine hillsides and walkways. They are active mostly at dawn, dusk, and night.

The recommended approach in Oregon is exclusion and habitat management rather than trapping. Install buried 1/4-inch hardware cloth along garden and slope borders, keep brush and dense ground cover cleared, and protect valued plants with wire cylinders. Live-capture and relocation requires coordination with ODFW, as mountain beavers are not free to relocate without a permit.

Pocket Gopher

East of the Cascades and across parts of the High Desert, pocket gophers — primarily Botta's (Thomomys bottae) and the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) — are the dominant underground diggers. They push up distinctive fan-shaped mounds capped with an off-center soil plug, unlike the volcano mounds of moles. Gopher mounds often appear in a rough arc because the animals seal their tunnels as they go.

Pocket gophers feed on roots, tubers, and entire plants, pulling young garden plants down into their tunnels and leaving sudden disappearance holes. They are a particular pest in alfalfa and pasture country and in irrigated gardens across central and eastern Oregon.

Where legal and effective, tunnel trapping with pincher or box traps is the primary control. Baiting with registered gopher baits placed in the lateral tunnels is used on larger properties, but always follow ODFW and label guidance to avoid non-target harm. Exclusion with buried gravel or hardware cloth protects specific beds and orchards.

Meadow Vole

Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are present statewide and cause some of the most underrated yard damage in Oregon. They dig small 1-2 inch entrance holes connected by shallow surface runways through grass, and they girdle the bark of young trees, shrubs, and perennials — damage that often only shows up as plants die back in spring.

Voles are most damaging in winter when they tunnel under snow or heavy mulch, and their populations cycle, with boom years causing sudden widespread lawn damage. They are commonly mistaken for moles, but voles leave runways and chew plants at ground level rather than raising soil ridges.

Control is habitat-focused: keep grass mowed, clear mulch and ground cover away from plant bases, and protect young trees with hardware cloth cylinders. Mowing and reducing thatch are the single most effective non-chemical measures. Rodenticide baiting should follow OSU IPM guidance to avoid risks to hawks, owls, and pets that prey on voles.

Skunk

Both the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and the rarer western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis) forage for grubs in Oregon lawns at night, leaving small conical holes 3-4 inches wide scattered across the sod. Skunks probe the turf for beetle grubs, and their holes often appear in clusters or lines where they worked a grub patch.

Skunks also dig under porches, decks, and sheds to den, and the odor risk is the main concern — a startled skunk sprays a musk that is very hard to remove. Skunks do not hibernate; they may become less active in the coldest weeks but resume foraging quickly.

The best prevention is removing food and shelter: secure garbage, eliminate outdoor pet food, and seal under-deck openings with hardware cloth. Because skunks can carry rabies, never approach one — especially one active in daylight — and keep pets vaccinated. ODFW classifies skunks seasonally as furbearers, so trapping rules vary by time of year.

Raccoon

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are abundant across Oregon, including the state's largest cities. In yards they roll back sod and peel up patches while hunting grubs, overturn planters and trash cans, and dig up newly planted bulbs. Their damage tends to be patchy and looks like lifted sections of turf.

Raccoons are also the most common animal found living in Oregon attics and crawl spaces. They are nocturnal, so damage that appears overnight — torn sod, tipped garbage — is a strong sign of raccoons. They quickly learn to defeat simple deterrents.

Reduce attractants with locking garbage lids, bring pet food indoors at night, and harvest fruit promptly. For an animal living in an attic or crawl space, professional removal is recommended — raccoons are a rabies vector species in Oregon, and eviction should happen only after any kits are old enough to leave on their own.

Seasonal Digging Patterns in Oregon

Season	Most Active Diggers	Why
Spring	Coast & Townsend's moles, voles, mountain beavers	Wet soil is ideal for tunneling; breeding drives new burrow activity
Summer	Skunks, raccoons, pocket gophers	Warm nights drive grub-foraging; gophers peak in irrigated gardens and pastures
Fall	Moles, voles, pocket gophers	Animals build winter food caches and fat stores
Winter	Moles (west), voles (under snow)	Moles stay active under wet turf; voles tunnel beneath snow and mulch

How to Get Rid of Animals Digging in Your Oregon Yard

1. Identify Before You Treat

Because Oregon's digging animals range from protected native species (mountain beaver) to heavy turf pests (Townsend's mole), correct identification is the first step. Use the identification table above, or contact your county Extension office for help confirming a mole versus gopher versus vole before you invest in traps or baits.

2. Trapping (Moles & Gophers)

Trapping remains the most reliable method for moles and pocket gophers. For moles, set scissor-jaw or harpoon traps in fresh, straight-run tunnels. For gophers, locate the main tunnel and set pincher or box traps facing both directions. Check traps regularly and reset in fresh tunnels as needed.

3. Exclusion Fencing

For voles, mountain beavers, and gophers, bury 1/4-inch hardware cloth at least 18 inches deep along garden and foundation borders, with an outward flange at the bottom. Protect young trees and shrubs with wire cylinders. This is the most durable protection against persistent diggers.

4. Habitat Modification & Grub Control

Reduce skunk and raccoon foraging by controlling lawn grubs with beneficial nematodes and following OSU IPM guidance. Clear brush piles, tall grass, and dense ground cover that shelter diggers. Keep lawns mowed and eliminate food sources such as fallen fruit, birdseed spills, and outdoor pet food.

5. Professional Wildlife Removal

If DIY methods fail or you have a protected or persistent species, contact a licensed wildlife removal service. Licensed operators have the equipment, permits, and experience to handle stubborn moles, mountain beavers, and raccoons in attics. Search for Oregon wildlife removal to find qualified operators. The average cost for professional wildlife removal in Oregon ranges from $250 to $1,000, depending on species, severity, and site access.

Oregon-Specific Regulations

• Coast & Townsend's mole: Not protected in Oregon. May be trapped on private property by landowners or their agents.
• Mountain beaver: Protected native species. ODFW discourages lethal control; exclusion and habitat management are the recommended approaches. Relocation requires coordination with ODFW.
• Pocket gopher: Not protected. May be trapped or baited by landowners using registered methods.
• Meadow vole: Not protected. May be trapped, excluded, or controlled by landowners.
• Skunk: Classified seasonally as a furbearer in Oregon; trapping rules vary by time of year. Relocation restrictions may apply.
• Raccoon: Raccoons may be trapped by licensed wildlife control operators; check local ordinances before any action.

FAQ: Oregon Yard Digging

What is making small holes in my lawn at night in Oregon?

Small holes appearing overnight are typically from striped skunks probing for grubs. They leave conical holes 3-4 inches across, often in clusters. Raccoons leave larger peeled-back patches of sod, and their activity is also mostly nocturnal.

How do I tell a mole from a pocket gopher in Oregon?

Moles (coast and Townsend's) make volcano-shaped mounds and raised surface ridges and eat insects. Pocket gophers make flat, fan-shaped mounds with an off-center plug and eat plants, pulling them down into their tunnels. The mound shape is the easiest distinguishing feature.

Does Oregon have groundhogs digging in yards?

Groundhogs (Marmota monax) are rare and mostly confined to the far northeast corner of Oregon near the Washington border. They are not a common yard pest across most of the state; moles, gophers, and voles are much more typical.

Are Townsend's moles worse than coast moles?

Townsend's moles are larger, dig deeper, and can be more damaging pound for pound, concentrated in the Willamette Valley. Coast moles are more widespread across western Oregon. Both can destroy lawns quickly, and Townsend's often require deeper, more persistent trapping.

How do I get rid of moles in Oregon?

Trapping in active tunnels is the most effective method. Locate a fresh straight run connecting two mounds, open it, and set a scissor-jaw or harpoon trap. Repeat in different tunnels as activity shifts. Repellents have limited, inconsistent results in Oregon's wet soils.

What is digging holes in my yard at night in Oregon?

Nocturnal diggers in Oregon are most commonly skunks and raccoons hunting grubs, which leave small conical holes and peeled-back sod. In some western Oregon areas, mountain beavers are active at dawn and dusk, and raccoons also dig in search of food. If fresh holes appear overnight, it is almost certainly one of these species.

Professional Wildlife Removal in Oregon

If you need professional wildlife removal or pest control services in Oregon, our local guides cover the following cities:

• Portland, OREGON — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
• Salem, OREGON — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
• Eugene, OREGON — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
• Bend, OREGON — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide
• Medford, OREGON — Wildlife & Pest Identification Guide

Professional Wildlife Removal in Oregon

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: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice.