![]() This information is for educational purposes only. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. ![]() Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. " Reduce lawn and garden damage caused by moles, skunks and raccoons"." Preserve landscapes and gardens by discouraging deer, woodchucks and rabbits".See my article on what smart gardeners can do to discourage these dirty devils, " Reduce lawn and garden damage caused by moles, skunks and raccoons." Notice that it is “discourage” rather than “eliminate.” It’s tough to fight Mother Nature and her gang. For more information on moles, see the MSU Extension article “ Moles in the lawn.” They are feeding on earthworms and possibly grubs and soil insects. At the same time, the eastern mole is tunneling just below the surface and you can walk on its created trail.ĭuring the winter when the ground is partially frozen, both kinds of moles will push up piles of soil when they are active. In warm weather, the star-nosed mole works about 6 inches or more below the surface and periodically pushes soil up to make an air vent. Moles leave piles of soil on the surface because they are pushing them up from below. The gentle skunk is being harassed by the backyard bully raccoon. Since skunks and raccoons can be feeding during the night in the same area, you may wake to a powerful skunk odor. This behavior is quite common on newly laid sod or grass with shallow roots. Raccoons enjoy diets that are almost identical to skunks, but raccoons use their front paws like hands. Chunks of sod that have been ripped up and flipped over They don’t jump and cannot climb to any extent, so they work close to the ground. Skunks enjoy a diet that extends into fallen fruit like mulberries, raspberries, cherries and grapes. Their diets also include crayfish, small animals, birds and their eggs, frogs and turtle eggs – if they can find them. In the fall and all during the growing season, skunks are on the patrol for earthworms, grubs and a variety of soil insects. Photo credit: Alfred Viola, Northeastern University, There can be so many holes that they coalesce into an area the looks like it has been tilled. Skunky knows that just below the surface is a protein-rich treat, just waiting to be harvested. The skunk presses its nose to the soil and digs with its long, front claws. The hole is approximately the size of a skunk nose. The soil disruption happens overnight because skunks are nocturnal feeders. Skunks are often the cause of these clues. ![]() Shallow holes in the ground, surrounded by a ring of loosened soil Food hunting is “job one.” It is possible to identify the digger by the clues left at the scene of the crime. In the spring, these same animals are trying to regain weight, especially if there has been a great deal of snow cover or extremely cold weather. The fatter they are, the better chance they have of living long and prospering. In the fall, animals are trying to pick up as many calories as possible to make it through the winter. Michigan State University Extension hotlines receive many calls at certain times of the year about mystery mounds. Often, more damage occurs in the fall and spring. The time of the year makes a difference in the frequency of digging. Keep in mind that the usual motivation for digging up yards comes down to two things: food and lodging. There are several animals that are common yard visitors. They want to know what critter made the heap and are worried that it means something worse is going wrong. I see the dirt from some furry bum.” Many have walked into the yard and found perplexing piles of soil in their lawn or flower beds. ![]()
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