Lyla Lindsey
If you've noticed small holes in your lawn in Australia, there are several animals that could be responsible. Small holes in lawns are generally caused by insects, invertebrates, or burrowing rodents. Common causes of small holes in lawns overnight include Japanese beetles, worms, moles, voles, gophers, mice, ground wasps, birds, and even snakes. To determine the culprit, examine the size, depth, and surroundings of the holes. For example, mole holes are typically covered by a mound of earth, while vole holes are not. Birds, squirrels, and other animals may also dig small holes in lawns when searching for food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Animals causing small holes in lawns in Australia | Moles, gophers, voles, mice, ground wasps, birds, Japanese beetles, worms, cicada-killer wasps, armadillos, skunks, rabbits, rats, chipmunks, crawfish, snakes |
| Reasons for digging holes | Building nests, searching for food, laying eggs |
| Size of holes | Small holes are usually caused by insects or invertebrates; larger holes are typically caused by rodents |
| Shape of holes | Holes caused by insects are usually small and shallow, while holes caused by rodents are larger and may be marked by mounds of soil |
| Location of holes | Holes throughout the lawn are usually caused by small rodents or insects; holes near tree roots may be caused by rats or chipmunks |
| Time of year | Worms are more active in spring, especially in moist soil; Japanese beetles are most active in autumn and winter |
| Other signs | Skunks may leave a distinctive pungent odour; armadillos may leave claw marks; snakes may leave droppings with white ends or shed snakeskin |
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Insects and invertebrates
One of the most notorious insects that cause lawn damage is the Japanese beetle. These insects lay their eggs in the soil, and when the eggs hatch into larvae, they feed on grass roots, causing significant damage to the lawn. The presence of Japanese beetle larvae can also attract larger animals, such as birds, raccoons, and armadillos, which will dig holes in search of this tasty treat.
Earthworms are another common cause of small holes in lawns. While they are beneficial creatures that provide natural aeration and fertilisation for the lawn, their activity can sometimes be bothersome. Earthworms are most active in spring and moist soil conditions, and they leave behind small holes or granular towers of soil around their 1-inch (2.5 cm) burrows.
Cicada-killer wasps are another insect species that can create holes in lawns. They dig holes about an inch wide to drag their prey to the surface, and they are most commonly found in lawns with short grasses.
Additionally, birds play a role in creating small holes as they search for food, such as insects, larvae, and worms living in the soil. While birds can sometimes damage lawns, they are generally beneficial as they help control insect populations.
It's important to note that the presence of small holes in your lawn may indicate a pest problem, especially if you know your pet is not responsible for the digging. These pests can include insects, invertebrates, or small burrowing rodents. By understanding the specific cause, you can determine the best course of action to address the issue.
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Moles, gophers, voles, and mice
Moles
In Australia, the most common type of mole is the marsupial mole, which includes two species: the southern marsupial mole (*Notoryctes typhlops*) and the northern marsupial mole (*Notoryctes caurinus*). Marsupial moles are small, burrowing marsupials that spend most of their time underground, coming to the surface occasionally, often after rains. They are functionally blind, with small lenses under the skin where their eyes should be. Marsupial moles use their forelimbs and enlarged central claws to dig, swimming through the soil rather than creating permanent burrows. They are the only marsupials that are testicond.
Gophers
Gophers are small mammals that are often considered pests due to their digging habits. They create tunnel systems and can be identified by small piles of loose soil at the entrance of their burrows. Gophers have brown fur that blends in with the colour of the soil. They have distinctive large cheek pouches, from which they derive their name, used for transporting food back to their burrows. Gophers are larder hoarders and can collect large amounts of food. They feed on plant roots, shrubs, and vegetables, causing damage to gardens and farms.
Voles
Voles are small rodents that may sometimes be found in lawns and gardens. The field vole (*Microtus agrestis*) is one species that has been documented in Australia. Voles can create runways and burrows in grassy areas, but they are not known to cause significant damage to lawns or gardens.
Mice
Mice are small rodents that can sometimes infest lawns and gardens, particularly in rural or agricultural areas. In Australia, mouse plagues have been documented throughout history, with major occurrences in the early 20th century and more recently in the late 2010s and early 2020s. During a plague, mice can cause extensive damage to crops, machinery, and infrastructure, costing farmers millions of dollars in losses. They may also strip food and other items from shelves in search of food.
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Birds
Japanese beetles lay their eggs in the soil, and the resulting larvae attract birds to your garden. The larvae feed on grass roots, which can damage your lawn. The larvae appear on the ground in autumn and winter and grow and mature in the following months. In spring, they turn into beetles and dig to the surface, leaving holes in your lawn.
Worms are another common cause of small holes in lawns overnight. Worms form tunnels in the soil, creating a bumpy appearance on your lawn. Earthworms are beneficial creatures that provide your lawn with natural aeration and fertilizer. They also help mix nutrients and water through the soil. While worms can sometimes damage lawns, it is not recommended to eliminate them, as they are vital to the health of the soil.
To prevent birds from digging holes in your lawn, you can try to reduce their food sources. Japanese beetles can be controlled with insecticides, especially when present in large numbers. To reduce worm activity, you can adjust your watering routine to provide your lawn with 1-1.5 inches of water each week.
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Snakes
To determine whether a snake is inhabiting a hole in your lawn, look for discarded snake skins and/or snake droppings, which will appear as a thick, dark brown or black liquid in a cylindrical form with a chalky white cap. If you see signs of digging, such as tiny paw prints or claw marks, or small piles of freshly dug soil, it is more likely that rodents are inhabiting the hole. Snakes are attracted to areas with food, shelter, and cover, so they may be drawn to rocks, leaf piles, overgrown vegetation, and clutter, as well as standing water and damp areas.
If you have identified that a snake is living in a hole in your lawn, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, you can fill the hole with soil or block the entrance with a rock, a piece of burlap, or chicken wire. However, this may only be a temporary solution, as snakes will likely just find another hole to live in if they like your yard. To make your backyard less inviting to snakes, you can keep your grass mowed, ensure proper drainage, and avoid overwatering your lawn. If you have repeated issues with venomous snakes, it may be necessary to call a wildlife or pest control expert.
It's important to remember that snakes are part of a healthy natural ecosystem and play an important role in backyard pest control by feeding on small rodents and garden pests. Therefore, there is no need to make your yard snake-free unless they are causing problems.
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Skunks
Skunk holes are typically small and shallow, only a few inches in diameter, and they usually appear in groups rather than individually. Skunks may also neatly roll up sod to create their feeding holes. In addition to the holes, skunks can be identified by their distinctive pungent odour, which is impossible to miss.
To deter skunks from digging up your lawn, you can try eliminating their food sources, such as grubs, by using treatments or sprays. You can also try using bright lights, jets of water, citrus peels, hot pepper spray, or store-bought skunk repellents containing black pepper, capsaicin, or putrescent whole egg solids. Installing fencing around your yard or motion-activated floodlights may also help keep skunks away.
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Frequently asked questions
Small holes in your lawn could be caused by insects, invertebrates, or burrowing rodents. Some common causes of small holes in Australian lawns overnight include Japanese beetles, worms, moles, voles, gophers, mice, birds, and ground wasps.
The size, depth, and surroundings of the holes can help identify the cause. For example, holes throughout the lawn are usually caused by small rodents or insects. Mole holes are covered by a mound of earth, while vole holes are not. Insect holes are usually small, about the size of a pencil, and are often surrounded by a granular tower of soil.
First, identify and control the cause of the holes. Then, fill the holes with a mixture of topsoil and compost or sand.
To prevent small holes in your lawn, eliminate whatever is attracting animals to your yard. This may include removing potential food sources such as fallen fruit or nuts and trimming overgrown bushes where critters may be taking shelter.
