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

Identifying Yard-Digging Wildlife in Tennessee

Tennessee's diverse geography — from the Mississippi River lowlands in the west, through the Central Basin and Highland Rim, to the Cumberland Plateau and Great Smoky Mountains in the east — supports a wide range of wildlife that dig in residential yards. Whether you live in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, or Franklin, chances are you have encountered holes in your lawn, raised tunnels in your grass, or burrow entrances near your home's foundation.

Correctly identifying the animal responsible is critical because each species requires a different management approach. Some, like the eastern mole, are merely nuisances. Others, like the groundhog, can undermine foundations and outbuildings. And the nine-banded armadillo — now well-established across much of Tennessee — can cause significant damage to lawns and gardens overnight.

This guide synthesizes data from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), University of Tennessee Extension, and the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services program.

Key Identification Tip: The most important clue when identifying the animal digging holes in your Tennessee yard is whether the hole has a mound of dirt around it. Groundhogs and chipmunks create burrow entrances with a noticeable mound. Armadillos, skunks, raccoons, and opossums leave shallow foraging holes with no mound. Moles create raised surface tunnels — not individual holes. Voles leave small entry holes without mounds.

Tennessee Yard-Digging Animal Identification Table

Armadillos in Tennessee: An Established Population

The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is now well-established across much of Tennessee. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, armadillos were first documented in Tennessee in the 1990s, having expanded northward from Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. As of 2026, armadillos are established in all three grand divisions of Tennessee — West, Middle, and East Tennessee — with the highest densities in the western and central regions.

Armadillos dig for grubs, earthworms, and other soil invertebrates, creating dozens of shallow conical holes in a single night of foraging. They prefer moist, shaded areas with loose soil and are most active from dusk to dawn. In Tennessee, armadillo damage peaks from May through September when soil moisture is highest and insect activity is at its peak. Unlike some northern states where armadillos are still expanding, Tennessee's armadillo population is self-sustaining and reproducing successfully across the state.

University of Tennessee Extension notes that armadillos are particularly common in the Central Basin region around Nashville, where limestone-derived soils support abundant earthworm and grub populations. Armadillos are less common in the higher elevations of the Cumberland Plateau and Great Smoky Mountains, though they are still present in suitable habitat.

Identifying Armadillo Damage vs Other Diggers

Groundhogs: Tennessee's Large Burrowers

The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as the woodchuck, is one of Tennessee's most destructive yard-digging animals, particularly in Middle and East Tennessee. Groundhogs dig large burrow systems with entrances 6-8 inches in diameter, often accompanied by a large mound of excavated dirt at the main entrance. A single groundhog burrow can extend 8-50 feet in length and have multiple entrances.

Groundhog burrows are typically found near structures — under sheds, decks, foundations, or along fence lines — where the surrounding vegetation provides cover. The danger of groundhog burrows is structural: burrows under foundations, driveways, or outbuildings can cause settling and collapse. Groundhogs also damage gardens by eating vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. In Tennessee, groundhogs are most active from February through October, with a brief hibernation period during the coldest winter months.

According to TWRA, groundhog populations are highest in the Nashville Basin and the Great Valley of East Tennessee, where agricultural fields and pastureland provide ideal habitat. Groundhogs are less common in the densely forested Cumberland Plateau and the Mississippi River floodplain.

Groundhog vs Armadillo Damage Comparison

Skunks and Raccoons: Tennessee's Nighttime Foragers

Striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) are common throughout all three grand divisions of Tennessee and are frequent causes of lawn damage. Both species dig for grubs, insects, and earthworms, but their damage patterns differ significantly.

Skunks dig small conical holes, typically 3-4 inches wide and 2-4 inches deep. Their holes are usually scattered and concentrated near structures — under decks, near foundations, or along fence lines. A telltale sign of skunks is the presence of small, 1-inch diameter divots in the lawn where they have probed for insects with their noses. In Tennessee, skunk damage is particularly common in suburban areas bordering wooded lots.

Raccoons, by contrast, tear up sod in irregular patches, peeling back sections of grass like a rolled carpet. Raccoons are stronger and more dexterous than skunks, and their damage is often more extensive in a single night. Raccoon damage is particularly common in Tennessee neighborhoods near water sources such as the Tennessee River, Cumberland River, and their many tributaries and reservoirs.

University of Tennessee Extension reports that skunk and raccoon damage in Tennessee typically peaks in spring (March-May) when grubs are near the surface following winter dormancy, and again in fall (September-October) when animals are building fat reserves for winter.

Moles and Voles: Subsurface Damage in Tennessee Lawns

Eastern Moles

Eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus) create raised surface tunnels that look like ridges running through Tennessee lawns. They do not create visible holes or mounds (that is the pocket gopher, which is rare in Tennessee). Moles eat earthworms and soil insects, not plant roots. Their tunnels can kill grass by separating roots from soil, creating brown streaks in the lawn. Mole activity in Tennessee is most pronounced in the Central Basin and Highland Rim regions, where limestone-derived clay-loam soils are easy to excavate and support abundant earthworm populations.

Pine Voles

Pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) create surface runways under mulch or leaf litter and 1-1.5 inch holes with no surrounding mound. Unlike moles, voles DO eat plant roots and can girdle the base of shrubs and small trees, killing them. If your plants are dying for no apparent reason and you see small holes nearby, suspect voles. Pine vole damage is particularly common in Tennessee's eastern counties, where thick forest leaf litter provides ideal runway habitat, but they are present statewide.

Mole vs Vole Comparison

Eastern Chipmunks and Virginia Opossums in Tennessee

Eastern Chipmunks

Eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) are common throughout Tennessee and create small, clean 2-3 inch diameter holes near stones, walls, foundations, and under decks. Chipmunk burrows can extend several feet deep and may have multiple entrances. While chipmunks are not as destructive as groundhogs, their burrows can undermine retaining walls, walkways, and foundation edges. In Tennessee, chipmunk activity is most visible in spring and fall, and they are diurnal, so you may see them carrying food to their burrows during the day.

Virginia Opossums

Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) are common throughout Tennessee and are opportunistic foragers that may dig in mulched flower beds and compost piles in search of insects, fallen fruit, and food scraps. Opossum damage is typically less structured than other diggers — they create irregular, shallow scrapes and scattered debris rather than distinct holes. Opossums are nocturnal and are more likely to be seen as nuisances around garbage cans and pet food bowls than as dedicated lawn diggers in Tennessee.

Seasonal Digging Patterns in Tennessee

How to Get Rid of Animals Digging in Your Tennessee Yard

1. Reduce Grub Populations

Most digging animals (armadillos, skunks, raccoons, moles) are attracted to white grub populations in lawns. Apply beneficial nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) or milky spore (Paenibacillus popilliae) in late spring or early summer when soil temperatures are above 60°F. According to University of Tennessee Extension, beneficial nematodes can reduce grub populations by 50-80% within 2-4 weeks, making lawns significantly less attractive to diggers. For best results in Tennessee, apply nematodes in late May or early June when soil moisture is adequate.

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2. Exclusion Fencing

• Armadillos: 24-inch fence buried 12-18 inches with L-shaped footer extending outward
• Skunks: 3-foot fence buried 6 inches; also seal openings under decks and sheds
• Groundhogs: 3-foot fence buried 12 inches with a top rail; they can climb
• Chipmunks: 1/4-inch hardware cloth buried 6 inches around foundations
• Voles: Install 1/4-inch hardware cloth cylinders around vulnerable tree and shrub roots, buried 3-4 inches deep

3. Live Trapping

In Tennessee, armadillos, groundhogs, skunks, raccoons, and opossums can be live-trapped on private property. However, TWRA regulations prohibit relocating trapped wildlife off your property without a permit — most nuisance wildlife must be euthanized on-site or released on the same property. Always check current TWRA regulations before trapping, and contact a licensed Wildlife Damage Control Agent if you are uncertain about legal requirements.

4. Habitat Modification

• Remove brush piles, fallen logs, and debris that provide cover for diggers
• Keep grass mowed short to reduce insect habitat
• Reduce irrigation to lower grub and earthworm populations
• Use hardware cloth (1/4 inch mesh) to protect bulb plantings from voles
• Fence gardens with 3-foot chicken wire with a 12-inch buried footer to exclude groundhogs

5. Professional Wildlife Removal

If you have a persistent digging problem or suspect a burrow under a structure, it is time to call a professional Tennessee wildlife removal service. Licensed Wildlife Damage Control Agents in Tennessee are certified by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and have the training, equipment, and permits to handle nuisance wildlife safely and legally. Professional services typically include inspection, trapping, exclusion, and damage repair. The average cost for professional wildlife removal in Tennessee ranges from $150 to $550, depending on the species, severity of the infestation, and structural repairs needed. For complex burrow removals (such as groundhogs under foundations), costs may exceed $700.

Tennessee-Specific Regulations

• Armadillos: Classified as non-native, non-game wildlife in Tennessee. Can be trapped and removed on private property without a permit. TWRA encourages reporting sightings to track population expansion.
• Groundhogs: Classified as non-game wildlife. Can be trapped and removed on private property without a permit. May be hunted during established seasons with appropriate licenses.
• Skunks/Raccoons/Opossums: Can be trapped on private property. Rabies-vector species restrictions apply — relocation is prohibited in Tennessee. Must be handled by a licensed Wildlife Damage Control Agent for off-property issues.
• Moles/Voles: No protection. Can be trapped, gassed, or controlled on private property using approved methods.
• Eastern Chipmunks: No protection. Can be trapped or controlled on private property.

FAQ: Tennessee Yard Digging

Are armadillos in Tennessee?

Yes. As of 2026, nine-banded armadillos are well-established across all three grand divisions of Tennessee. They are most common in West and Middle Tennessee, with the highest densities in the Central Basin region around Nashville. Armadillos are present but less common in East Tennessee, particularly at higher elevations. According to TWRA, armadillos have been confirmed in over 80 of Tennessee's 95 counties, and their population continues to grow and expand into suitable habitat across the state.

What is digging small conical holes in my Tennessee lawn?

In Tennessee, small conical holes (3-4 inches wide, 2-4 inches deep) are most likely from striped skunks, particularly if they are scattered and concentrated near structures. Larger conical holes (3-5 inches, 1-3 inches deep) in a wandering line are from armadillos. Very small holes (under 1 inch) could be from voles, shrews, or solitary bees. If the holes have no mound and appear in large numbers overnight, armadillos are the most likely culprit in most of Tennessee.

How do I know if I have groundhogs or chipmunks?

Groundhog burrows are 6-8 inches in diameter with a large mound of excavated dirt at the entrance. Chipmunk holes are much smaller (2-3 inches) and are typically found next to stones, walls, or foundation edges. Groundhogs are larger (5-10 pounds) and diurnal; chipmunks are small (2-5 ounces) and also diurnal. Groundhogs cause significant structural damage; chipmunks cause minor cosmetic damage.

How do I know if I have moles or voles?

If you see raised ridges/tunnels in your grass with no visible holes, you have moles. If you see small holes (1-1.5 inches) with surface runways under mulch, and your shrubs are dying with girdled roots, you have voles. Moles eat insects; voles eat plants. Moles are most active in Tennessee's clay-loam soils in the Central Basin, while voles are more common in areas with thick leaf litter in East Tennessee.

Do Tennessee skunks carry rabies?

Yes. Skunks are one of the primary rabies reservoir species in Tennessee, along with raccoons, bats, and foxes. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, the raccoon rabies variant is endemic statewide, and skunks account for a significant percentage of confirmed rabies cases in the state. Never approach a skunk, especially one active during daylight hours, and ensure your pets are current on rabies vaccinations.

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

Nocturnal diggers in Tennessee include armadillos, skunks, raccoons, and Virginia opossums. These animals are active from dusk to dawn and are responsible for most overnight digging damage. Armadillos and skunks create conical foraging holes, raccoons peel back sod in patches, and opossums make shallow scrapes in mulch and compost. If the damage appears overnight, it is almost certainly from one of these nocturnal species. Diurnal diggers in Tennessee — groundhogs, chipmunks, and birds — dig during daylight hours and are rarely responsible for overnight damage.

Sources: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), University of Tennessee Extension, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services, Tennessee Department of Health. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional wildlife management advice.