Raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and moles dig up Kansas City lawns for a reason, and it is usually a food source under the soil. Here is how to identify what is digging, remove what is attracting them, and repair the damage.
Finding fresh holes throughout your yard can be frustrating, especially when they appear overnight. If you are searching for help with stopping holes from being dug in my lawn, the first step is determining what is causing the damage.
Raccoons, squirrels, skunks, birds, moles, and other animals may dig in lawns for different reasons. Some are looking for food beneath the soil, while others may be burying food or creating a place to live. Identifying the cause can help you choose a solution that protects your lawn without wasting time or money.
Kansas City yards are especially prone to this. Our cool-season fescue and bluegrass lawns, heavy clay soil, and mature tree canopy create ideal conditions for grubs and other soil insects, and the metro has a healthy population of raccoons, skunks, and squirrels ready to dig them up. Volz Lawn & Landscape sees this pattern every year across Johnson County and south Kansas City, usually starting in late summer and running through fall.
Why Are Animals Digging Holes in My Lawn?
Animals usually do not dig through a healthy lawn without a reason. In many cases, they can smell or detect insects, grubs, worms, or other food beneath the soil.
The size and appearance of the holes may help identify the animal responsible:
- Raccoons and skunks may pull back sections of grass while searching for grubs.
- Squirrels commonly create smaller holes while burying or retrieving nuts, which is very common under the oak and walnut trees found throughout older Kansas City neighborhoods.
- Birds may peck at the soil when insects are close to the surface.
- Moles create raised tunnels while searching for worms and insects.
- Voles may leave small openings and visible paths through the grass.
Before repairing the lawn, look for signs of insects, loose turf, raised tunnels, or repeated digging in the same area.
Remove the Animals’ Food Source
One of the most effective ways to discourage animals from digging is to remove the food source attracting them.
Grubs are the larvae of beetles that live beneath the soil and feed on grass roots. They can weaken the lawn while also attracting raccoons, skunks, birds, and other animals. These animals may cause even more damage as they tear through the grass looking for an easy meal.
Possible signs of a grub problem include:
- Brown or thinning patches of grass
- Turf that pulls up easily
- Grass with damaged or missing roots
- Increased activity from raccoons, skunks, or birds
- Irregular holes or sections of grass pulled back overnight
Treating the grubs can help protect the grass roots and make the lawn less appealing to digging animals. In the Kansas City area, grub damage is easy to confuse with summer drought stress, so it is worth tugging on a brown patch before assuming the lawn simply needs more water.
Grub Control Through Our Fertilization Program
Volz Lawn & Landscape provides grub control as part of our lawn fertilization program. Our program is designed to feed your lawn, control weeds, and protect the grass from common lawn-damaging insects.
Properly timed grub control targets the problem before the grubs mature and begin causing major root damage. It can also reduce the food source that attracts animals to your yard.
Because grub treatments are most effective when applied at the right time of year, it is important to take a preventive approach rather than waiting until the lawn is already damaged. Volz Lawn & Landscape schedules these applications around the Kansas City growing season, when beetle eggs are hatching and the young grubs are closest to the surface, instead of applying on a generic national calendar.
Stop Grubs Before They Damage Your Lawn
Protect your grass and reduce the food attracting animals to your property. Contact Volz Lawn & Landscape to learn more about adding grub control through our fertilization program.
Clean Up Other Food Sources
Grubs are not the only reason animals may visit your yard. Removing other easy food sources can also help reduce unwanted activity.
Keep trash containers tightly closed and avoid leaving pet food outside overnight. Clean up fallen fruit, birdseed, nuts, and food scraps around patios or outdoor eating areas. Compost piles should also be secured so animals cannot easily reach them.
These changes may not stop every animal, but they can make your property less attractive.
Repair the Damaged Areas
After addressing the cause of the digging, repair the damaged grass so weeds do not take over.
Small holes can usually be filled with topsoil and covered with grass seed. Larger areas may need to be leveled, reseeded, or repaired with sod. Keep newly repaired areas watered until the grass becomes established. In Kansas City, early fall is the best window for seeding cool-season turf, which lines up well with the same season most animal digging shows up.
Do not repair the lawn before addressing the underlying problem. Animals may return and dig through the same area again if grubs or another food source are still present. If the damage is widespread, our lawn maintenance team can handle the repair work along with your regular service.
Use Safe Deterrents When Needed
Temporary animal deterrents may help while you address the main cause of the problem. Motion-activated sprinklers, landscape lighting, and physical barriers can discourage animals from returning.
Avoid relying only on sprays or homemade repellents. Rain, watering, and normal outdoor conditions can quickly reduce their effectiveness. Deterrents usually work best when combined with insect control and the removal of other food sources.
If you believe an animal is living beneath a deck, shed, porch, or other structure, contact a qualified wildlife removal company.
Keep Your Lawn Thick and Healthy
A properly maintained lawn is better able to recover from insects, digging, heat, weeds, and other common problems. Regular fertilization provides the nutrients the grass needs to develop stronger roots and thicker growth, which matters in Kansas City where lawns deal with humid summers, clay soil, and sharp temperature swings.
A professional lawn program can also identify potential problems before they result in widespread damage. This is especially helpful when grub activity has occurred in the past or when animals repeatedly return to the same parts of the yard.
Where Volz Lawn & Landscape Sees This Most
Digging damage tends to follow the same neighborhoods year after year. Volz Lawn & Landscape treats lawns across Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood, Prairie Village, and south Kansas City, where established turf, mature trees, and nearby green space give raccoons, skunks, and squirrels plenty of cover.
Properties backing up to creeks, wooded lots, or greenways usually see the heaviest activity. In those areas we lean harder on preventive grub control so there is less reason for animals to tear into the lawn in the first place. You can see the full list of communities we cover on our service areas page.
Get Help Stopping Holes From Being Dug in Your Lawn
When it comes to stopping holes from being dug in my lawn, simply filling the holes may not solve the problem. You need to determine what is attracting the animals and remove it.
If grubs are present, Volz Lawn & Landscape can help protect your grass through our fertilization and grub-control program. We will help you create a healthier lawn while reducing the underground food source that may be attracting animals.
Contact Volz Lawn & Landscape for grub control anywhere in the Kansas City metro.