How to Stop Animals From Digging Up Your Lawn
One of the most frustrating things that homeowners have to deal with is animals digging up their lawns. Lawns are beautiful and can be a great addition to any home. But the downside of constant digging by animals like squirrels, deer, and raccoons can be daunting.
We will discuss a few techniques and tricks on how to stop animals from digging up your lawn so that you can use them to prevent them from doing so, but you must be mindful of what your animal might be trying to do.
The best way to stop this from happening is to install an animal exclusion barrier around your yard. This will keep out all types of pests for years without worrying about expensive repair or replacement costs!
Why Do Animals Dig Up Your lawn?
Most animals dig for a variety of reasons. Some do it to build a nest, while others may search for food or make a den. Unfortunately, this can cause damage to your lawn by exposing the roots and turf, which will prevent them from growing properly.
In addition, if you have pets in your yard who track mud into the house on their paws or fur, this can cause damage to the flooring and walls of your home.
How to Stop Animals From Digging Up Your Lawn: 10 Methods to Apply
If you would like to reduce or eliminate the damage done by digging in your yard, there are several things you can do. They include:
Method 1:
You should remove any food that animals can reach, including pet food, fallen fruit, and garden vegetables. If you feed wild birds, sometimes animals will come looking for food, and you should check the ground for uneaten seeds.
Method 2:
Use chicken wire or deer fencing around garden plants and fruit trees. Make sure any holes in the fencing are no wider than 2 inches, or you will be defeating the purpose. Also, ensure there are no holes around the base of any trunks since this will allow them to get through it easily.
Method 3:
Pouring cayenne pepper around your garden or sprinkling it on the soil may prevent animals from digging. However, ensure they cannot eat any of it, as that could harm their health. Also, be careful what you use if pets in your yard might accidentally ingest this product.
Method 4:
Dig holes or use a sprinkler in your yard to grow mushrooms. This should only be done quickly since it can cause erosion if you do not add mulch around the area. Also, be careful not to disturb any underground wires or pipes if you are digging.
Method 5:
Pouring a mixture of cayenne pepper and water over the dirt may help. Make sure it is mixed well so that animals do not just build their nests in areas with no taste or smell.
Method 6:
Adding a scent deterrent will help keep animals from digging in your yard. Several different types, including those made with predator urine, rotten eggs, and hot sauce. The downside to using this method is that the animal may build their nest or den somewhere else, and you might not notice they are gone.
Method 7:
Reducing the amount of light that enters your yard will cause animals to be less likely to build their nests there. This can include using dark mulch, ensuring trees do not overhang the house, and keeping shrubbery trimmed low so they cannot be seen.
Method 8:
If you have pets in your yard, putting up a fence with wire mesh around the area where they sleep will stop them from being able to track mud into the house on their paws or fur.
Method 9:
Use anti-digging granules on the surface of your lawn. There are many options available at garden centers or hardware stores, including such types as cayenne pepper and deodorant soap.
Make sure you read all labels to ensure safe use around children and pets before using any product, and be careful not to let children or pets come in contact with the granules themselves.
Method 10:
Use a sprinkler to create noise or water whenever an animal attempts to dig where you do not want them to. If you have other animals in your yard that are being affected by this method, take care not to use it when they are out.
You Can Check It Out to Scare Geese Off Your Lawn
Tips to Prevent Animals From Digging in the Future:
Animals that dig in your yard can be a problem, but there are ways to reduce the damage they cause.
1. Create a barrier around the area you wish to protect. For example, rocks, sticks, or wire fencing can help keep animals from digging.
2. Fill the holes once the animal has moved on. Use a stick to pack down dirt firmly so it won’t be easily dug up again by an animal.
3. Restrain pets in the area of your yard where you do not wish for them to venture.
4. Use fencing or other deterrents to keep the animals away from the area of your yard you wish to protect.
5. Stones, sticks, wire meshwork, or chicken wire fencing can be used to prevent future problems with digging in your yard. Putting rocks around the garden’s perimeter is a good option for this purpose.
6. If you lay mesh around your lawn area where you do not want animals to dig, ensure it is buried at least 2 inches deep so that the animal cannot get through.
7. Place lemon rinds in areas where you wish for animals to stop digging up your yard. The citric acid irritates and prevents animals from digging in that spot again.
8. Fill the hole with water to give animals a better option. It is easier for them to dig holes where they do not have to fight against obstacles, such as rocks or wire meshwork. In addition, they will choose to search in wet areas instead of dry ones if possible.
Conclusion:
If you take the time to work with your yard and landscape, it can be much easier to keep them looking great. You may also want to consider installing an electric fence to control digging animals such as groundhogs or rabbits.
By taking these steps, you will not only have a perfect lawn but minor damage done by those pesky critters! We hope this article has been helpful for you in understanding how to stop animals from digging up your lawn, and we would love for you to contact us if there’s anything else we can help with.
