Lawn attacked by skunks/raccoons?

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Quattro Pete

Quattro Pete

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After last night, part of my lawn looks like it was aerated. A bunch of holes about 1"-1.5" wide and deep, grass pulled with roots. Judging by the photos I found online, it looks like either a skunk or a raccoon had a field day there. From what I've read, they typically do this to dig up grubs/Japanese beetle larva, but isn't it too early in the season for the larva to already be chomping on the grass roots? I pulled a piece of sod to see if I can find any, but the only thing I saw was some earthworms. Is it possible the skunk was just digging for earthworms?

Any way to stop the skunk from digging?


lawn_damage1.jpg
 
It's been a warm winter. I've got plants growing that shouldn't be up for another month already. Why wouldn't the bugs be agead of schedule too?

Shepherd type dogs are good for dealing with skunks. Just make sure you get one that knows the difference between a skunk and a puppy. They do sort of look and smell like puppies. That can get confusing sometimes. Worst case the skunk will teach the dog about the differences for you.
 
Doesn't look bad.
If it is a skunk, it will move on.
Never even think about messing with a skunk.
Nothing you can really do about it.
I can tell you it isn't a racoon, since they wouldn't bother.
Could be birds, squirrels or who knows what.
I don't think you'll see long term damage.
It's not like you've got moles.
 
get some milky spore for your grub problem. It gives them a disease and lasts up to 10 yrs once the colony (?) gets it.
 
I need a skunk to aerate my lawn for free.

It will probably move on to new turf, and the lawn will probably patch itself up pretty quickly with the way this winter/spring has been going. Probably won't be a recurring issue if this hasn't happened before unless you have some sort of infestation in your lawn that your neighbors don't have.

Better this than a raccoon. Raccoons like the woods behind my house, and they love the trash cans in the neighborhood.
 
Heh heh, my lawn is rough enough , so the holes dont bother me. Skunks are fine, and we have a flock of turkeys too. I found a JB grub about a week ago. Way early.
 
+ for the milky spore.

Might not help much now but can prevent future problems and could work sooner. I wouldn't do anything more aggressive than that ,however. Looks pretty minor.
 
Originally Posted By: joaks
Looks pretty minor.

Well, that's just after one night. But if there is more grub in there, the skunks will be back to do more digging...
 
We had Racoons make a mess of the lawn a few years back. the damage was MUCH more extensive than the few holes you show, more like square miters of peeled back turf!

We were advised to place a small transistor radio in a plastic bag, tune it to a talk radio station, and leave it out all night.

It worked a treat. They just went next door to strip the neighbors lawn.
 
Originally Posted By: expat
We were advised to place a small transistor radio in a plastic bag, tune it to a talk radio station, and leave it out all night.

It worked a treat.

Did you tune it to Rush Limbaugh?
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: expat
We were advised to place a small transistor radio in a plastic bag, tune it to a talk radio station, and leave it out all night.

It worked a treat.

Did you tune it to Rush Limbaugh?


What, and have PETA all over me?
 
Spotlight and a 22 cal will do the job. One shot to the ribs will allow the skunk to run off and die somewhere other than your lawn. Beats picking the thing up after it has sprayed and died. Ask me how I know...
 
I haven't tried it but coyote urine (or wolf) is usually available at the garden centers. This may work as a deterent. Not sure on the freshness of scent, however!
 
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