Hello,

In regard to skunks - I found these three (3) articles:

Shallow holes in the ground, surrounded by a ring of loosened soil
Skunks are often the cause of these clues. The soil disruption happens overnight because skunks are nocturnal feeders. The hole is approximately the size of a skunk nose. The skunk presses its nose to the soil and digs with its long, front claws. Skunky knows that just below the surface is a protein-rich treat, just waiting to be harvested. There can be so many holes that they coalesce into an area the looks like it has been tilled. In the fall and all during the growing season, skunks are on the patrol for earthworms, grubs and a variety of soil insects. Their diets also include crayfish, small animals, birds and their eggs, frogs and turtle eggs – if they can find them. Skunks enjoy a diet that extends into fallen fruit like mulberries, raspberries, cherries and grapes. They don’t jump and cannot climb to any extent, so they work close to the ground. From the article: Who’s that digging in my yard: Skunks, raccoons or moles? - Gretchen Voyle, Michigan State University Extension - February 13, 2013 - Gain a better idea of which critter is digging up your yard or garden by the damage they cause. At this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/whos_that_digging_in_my_yard_skunks_raccoons_or_moles

Skunks and raccoons - These two animals will dig in the lawn, especially in the spring and fall looking for grubs, earthworms or soil insects. Having them digging does not mean there are grubs. They eat the same things moles do; they just work from the top down. Fall is a time to get as fat as possible for the coming winter and spring is a time to put weight back on. Again, it is good to investigate whether there are grubs or not. If less than five grubs per square foot are found, try some of the surface repellants that are castor oil-based. These mask the smell of those sweet treats just below the surface. These can be sprayed on the surface, but are not watered in. Spray the areas that are just adjacent to the damaged areas and any area that has some damage. From the article: Reduce lawn and garden damage caused by moles, skunks and raccoons - Gretchen Voyle, Michigan State University Extension - March 12, 2013 - What you can do to discourage pests such as moles, skunks and raccoons from digging up your yard and garden. At this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/reduce_lawn_and_garden_damage_caused_by_moles_skunks_and_raccoons


Skunks and opossums Skunks and opossums are foraging at night trying to pick up body weight lost during winter. They may also be looking under birdfeeders or in places where pet food is left out overnight. Neither of these animals traditionally damage landscaping, but skunks and raccoons can root around in lawns looking for invertebrates. Skunks pivot their bodies around their noses and dig in search of the snack of the moment. They leave holes ringed with piles of loose soil. Skunk, raccoon or mole digging does not always mean there are grubs in the lawn – they could be looking for earthworms. General pest-solving techniques - Use animal repellants before damage is found – there is no un-eating your tulips. Leaves and flowers can be eaten. Some animals like deer and rabbits may avoid blood meal used as a repellant, but raccoons will rush to it. Leave fences and barriers up awhile longer and then remove fences a few at a time. Stop feeding birds if the raccoon, mole and skunk damage under the feeders is more than you can tolerate. If raccoons or deer are damaging birdfeeders, take them down at night and secure them where your hungry horde cannot get to them. These guys are into midnight smash-and-munch behavior. For moles, rake out piles of soil in the lawn and use a lawn roller to flatten tunnels. Put just enough water in the roller to level the tunnels and not leave a ditch. That is dependent on how wet the soil is when you roll your lawn. From the article: Springtime animal damage in your landscape - Gretchen Voyle, Michigan State University Extension - April 14, 2016 - Recognize who is causing damage to your yard and landscape during spring and how to prevent it. At this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/springtime_animal_damage_in_your_landscape

In regard to grubs - Check out: How to choose and when to apply grub control products for your lawn - David Smitley, Terry Davis and Erica Hotchkiss, Michigan State University, Department of Entomology - May 22, 2020 - Not all the grub control products on store shelves will be effective this spring. Here’s how to choose and use the right one for your lawn. At this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how_to_choose_and_when_to_apply_grub_control_products_for_your_lawn


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