Identifying the culprit behind holes in the yard can be difficult. To narrow down the candidate list, a process of elimination may help, taking into consideration the size of the holes, whether they continue into tunnels or dead-end, and if mounds of soil are present. Iowa State University’s resource Diagnosing Holes in the Yard may be helpful, even though it’s not a complete overlap with Maryland’s hole-digging fauna, nor is it an exhaustive list. NC State Extension’s “What’s Making This Hole in My Yard?” article is a similar resource that isn't all-encompassing either, but which might provide clues to the culprit.

If you observe a burrow for a few days, see if there are more clues that appear, such as footprints or scat nearby. Does it seem to be a one-time disturbance, or does it look like something is consistently at work in that area? (If you fill the hole in, does it reappear within a few days?) Some gardeners set up a motion-activated trail cam to see if they can catch what animals are visiting, especially overnight.

This time of year,  we would guess that it is most likely squirrels burying nuts for the winter. Before resorting to any type of management, it would be best to determine what it is first.

Since the details of animal behavior and the specifics of burrow construction are outside of the realm of our expertise, you can inquire with wildlife biologists at the MD Department of Natural Resources. An email can be sent to <personal data hidden> (especially if you want to share photos) or, if you would like to speak to someone, they have a Wildlife and Heritage Service phone number at<personal data hidden>. The phone line is staffed during regular business hours, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, except on state holidays and weekends.

Emily