Why Skunks Dig Holes and How to Stop Digging in Your Lawn

If you are dealing with torn-up turf and cone-shaped holes after dark, you are not alone. Figuring out how to deter skunks from digging up lawn comes down to understanding what they are chasing in your yard, then removing the reasons they keep coming back.

For more help, see our Stop Skunks Digging in Your Lawn and Yard guide.

Skunks dig for food, and they choose lawns that make for easy foraging. When you change the setup, the digging stops.

Why skunks dig in lawns and yards

Skunks are not trying to ruin your lawn for fun. They dig because something below the grass is worth the effort.

The insects and grubs skunks are hunting

Skunks mainly target grubs, beetle larvae, and other insects living in the soil. They use their strong claws to pull up turf and expose movement, then eat what is underneath. If you recently had a grub problem, or your lawn stays lush and soft, it becomes an easy meal source at night.

What to do:

Check for signs of grubs by looking for patchy, thinning grass that loosens easily.
If you can, use a screwdriver or garden trowel to lift a small plug and inspect the soil layer for white C-shaped grubs.

Target the food source, because deterring the animal without fixing the grubs often leads to repeat digging.

Why the damage is usually shallow and cone-shaped

Skunk holes are usually shallow and rough-edged. You will often see small piles of soil around the disturbed spot, and the turf comes up in cone-shaped or wedge-like impressions. This pattern happens because skunks rake the surface and grab prey near the top few inches of ground, not because they are building a deep burrow.

Look for:

Torn grass and loose soil right at the surface.
Holes that do not look like deep tunnels.
Multiple scattered spots across a yard, matching feeding routes.

Signs the digging is from skunks, not raccoons or moles

Moles create smooth, raised ridges or runways, not crater-like holes. Raccoons tend to dig deeper, with larger scrapes and a more frantic, claw-marked style, often near trash or pet food areas. Skunks leave shallow holes, torn turf, and sometimes a musky odor if you get close.

Use these clues:

Skunk digging is shallow with small cone-shaped depressions.
Activity happens at night, with fresh soil on top.
You see small tracks leading from cover to the disturbed spots (look for a slender stride and small front prints).

Find out what is attracting skunks to your property

If skunks are choosing your yard, your property is offering a reliable food source, easy shelter, or both. Fixing those attractants is what stops the digging long-term.

Check for lawn grubs and other food sources

Start with what is underneath. Grubs are the big draw, but skunks also eat earthworms, ants, and other soil insects. If the lawn is failing, or you notice brown patches that do not respond to watering, investigate before you chase the animal with deterrents.

Do this:

Inspect 10 to 20 small sections across the damaged areas, not just the worst spots.
Lift plugs and look for larvae in the top few inches of soil.
Match your findings to local pest guidance for treatment timing, then address grubs promptly.

Look for easy shelter such as brush piles, crawl spaces, and decks

Skunks feel safer when they have cover. Brush piles, thick groundcover, stacked lumber, and open access under decks or porches can turn a yard into a nighttime base. If there is a crawl space opening or gaps near foundations, skunks can move close to your lawn to feed.

Steps to reduce cover:

Remove brush piles and debris within 20 to 30 feet of where digging happens.
Seal gaps under decks, sheds, and porches (any opening 1/2 inch or larger).

Install 1/4-inch hardware cloth over vents and access points, secured so it cannot be pushed.

Spot other attractants like pet food, fallen fruit, and open trash

Even if grubs are present, skunks may also be pulled in by easy, high-calorie food. Keep pet bowls indoors at night, clean up fallen fruit daily, and store trash in sealed containers with tight lids.

Quick fixes:

Feed pets earlier in the evening and remove bowls after feeding.

Pick up fallen fruit and compost properly (keep lids closed).
Put trash out only on collection days, in secure bins with lids that lock.

How to deter skunks from digging up your lawn

Deterrents help, but the goal is to stop the digging by changing what skunks experience at night. Use a combination plan so they do not keep finding the same spots.

Remove the food source first so they do not keep returning

If grubs remain, skunks will keep returning even if you scare them off once. Treat the lawn and reduce the insects, then use deterrents only as temporary support while the yard recovers.

Apply grub control based on local product directions and the season you are in.
Use a spot treatment approach for heavily damaged areas, then treat the surrounding lawn if infestation signs spread.

Keep foot traffic and watering consistent with lawn recovery so grass regrows over disturbed soil.

Use motion-activated lights, sprinklers, and sound deterrents

Skunks are active at night, so disrupting darkness and routines can reduce repeated visits. Motion-activated lights make it harder for them to feed without pausing. Sprinklers with motion detection startle animals and interrupt feeding. Sound devices can add additional pressure, especially when used consistently.

Try this setup:

Place a motion-activated light aimed at the digging area and keep it triggered.

Install a motion-activated sprinkler so it sprays the active feeding spots.
Use a sound deterrent that runs at night on a timer, then reposition if skunks shift away.

Apply temporary repellents only as a short-term helper

Repellents can buy time, but they rarely solve the root cause. Use them while you treat grubs, remove cover, and make the lawn less inviting. Choose products labeled for skunks and apply according to the label, especially around plants and pets.

Use repellents correctly:

Apply only to the areas being dug up, not across the whole yard unless the label calls for it.
Reapply after rain or irrigation as directed on the label.
Stop using if a product harms your lawn or triggers heavy pet interest.

Make the lawn less inviting with better watering and maintenance

Healthy grass is harder for skunks to tear up and helps reduce insect survival. Overwatering can encourage insects, while stressed lawns are more vulnerable. Maintain mowing height, fix bare spots, and keep thatch under control so the soil ecosystem shifts away from grub-friendly conditions.

Lawn steps that help:

Mow at the recommended height for your grass type (do not scalp).
Water deeply but not constantly, so the lawn stays healthy without staying soggy.

Reseed damaged spots after treatment so the ground cover returns quickly.

Repair the lawn and prevent repeat digging

Once you remove the attractants, repair the damage so skunks do not get easy wins on bare soil. Focus on soil smoothing, reseeding, and improving conditions that support insect activity.

Treat grub problems so the digging motivation disappears

Repair work without grub treatment often fails, because skunks return to feed on the same insects. Treat the underlying grub issue, then wait the right window before reseeding based on the product label and lawn recovery needs.

Follow the product instructions for timing and watering schedules.
Treat the grub source, not just the surface holes.
Keep notes on where you treated so you can target the next round if monitoring shows new damage.

Fill holes, reseed damaged spots, and smooth disturbed soil

Fix disturbed soil so turf can regrow and the ground looks less attractive for foraging. Even small bare patches can become feeding hotspots again.

Repair steps:

Rake out loose debris and fill holes with a thin layer of topsoil.

Level the area so grass seed does not wash away during watering.
Reseed and lightly cover seed using straw mulch or seed blanket, then water gently to keep the top layer moist.

Improve drainage and lawn health to reduce insect activity

Grubs and other soil insects thrive when soil conditions stay favorable. Improve drainage and lawn vigor so fewer insects survive and grass fills in faster.

Check for standing water after a rain, then correct drainage issues by adjusting grading or adding soil to low spots.
Avoid overfertilizing, which can stress plants if watering is off.
Aerate and manage thatch only as recommended for your grass type, because the goal is healthier roots, not bare, exposed soil.

When to call wildlife control or a pest professional

DIY deterrents work best when the problem is small. Call help when skunk activity ramps up, you see possible denning, or you cannot safely confirm what is happening.

Signs the skunk may be denning nearby

Denning usually shows persistent activity in the same area and repeated digging that grows more frequent. If you notice a musky odor, frequent nighttime traffic, or a consistent location where skunks come and go, a nearby den is likely.

Signs to watch:

Digging keeps restarting in the same patch for several nights.

You see animals entering and leaving a protected spot near structures, vents, or thick cover.
Odor intensifies near the suspected entry area.

When repeated digging suggests a larger infestation

If damage spreads across the yard, grubs are likely not the only issue. Large numbers of skunks can occur when food sources are abundant, or when shelter conditions make your property attractive to multiple animals.

Call a professional when:

New holes appear day after day, not just occasional visits.

You see multiple skunks at night.
Treatment plans have not stopped digging after you address food and shelter.

How professionals remove skunks safely and legally

Wildlife control and licensed pest professionals handle trapping, exclusion, and relocation in line with local rules. They also identify entry points and help ensure that you do not create hazards like cornering an animal near your home.

Ask about:

Inspection of the yard for denning and access points.
Humane exclusion methods after the animals are not present.
A plan to repair damage and prevent skunks from returning.

What not to do when skunks are digging

Some actions make the situation worse, and a few can be dangerous. Stick to safe, humane approaches and avoid anything that increases risk.

Avoid traps, poisons, and unsafe home remedies

Traps and poisons can harm pets, wildlife, and people. Unsafe home remedies can also cause burns or lead to skunks hiding under decks or inside spaces, which creates a long-lasting odor problem.

Safer rule:

Do not use poison or DIY chemicals.
Do not set traps without knowing local regulations and without proper handling.

Choose non-contact deterrents and habitat changes instead.

Do not block an active den without checking first

If a den is active, blocking access can trap skunks inside. That leads to stress, spraying, and a worse odor problem. It can also create a situation where young animals are left vulnerable.

Instead:

Look for signs of active entry and frequent movement before you close anything.
Use exclusion only when you are sure animals are gone (a pro can help).

Focus first on removing attractants outside the den area.

Keep pets and children away from nighttime activity

Skunks can spray when threatened, and contact increases the risk of biting. Pets that chase skunks also face serious consequences. Keep people and animals inside when skunks are active at night.

Bring pets indoors during nighttime hours, especially at the first sign of digging.
Keep children away from holes, vents, and suspected entry points.

If a skunk is visible, stay back and close the door rather than approaching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are skunks digging in my yard at night?

Skunks usually dig at night because they are foraging for grubs, insects, and other food sources. If they keep returning, the yard likely offers food, shelter, or both. Checking for grub activity and securing easy attractants like pet food and trash helps you figure out the real reason they are showing up.

How do I stop skunks from digging in my lawn for good?

The best long-term fix is to remove what attracts them: treat grub infestations, secure food waste, reduce shelter spots, and use deterrents while the yard is being repaired. Deterrents can reduce visits at first, but if the food is still there, digging usually resumes.

How can I tell if skunks are causing the holes?

Skunk digging is usually shallow, with small cone-shaped holes or torn-up patches of turf. You may also notice a musky odor, nighttime activity, or tracks nearby. If the damage looks smooth, raised, or tunnel-like, it may be a different animal.

Will repellents alone keep skunks away?

Repellents may help briefly, but they work best as part of a larger plan. If skunks can still find food or shelter, they often come back the next night. Pair repellents with grub control and habitat cleanup for real results.

Should I fill holes before treating the grub problem?

You can repair the turf right away, but if grubs are still present the skunks may return. Treat the underlying food source as soon as possible, then reseed and smooth disturbed soil so the lawn regrows.