Skunks Are Digging Grubs in My Lawn

Skunks search for grubs underground by digging up the lawn.

Green grass in the spring and summer makes the landscaping look appealing. However, if the lawn is not maintained, Japanese beetles can lay eggs in the lawn that turn into grub larvae.

Grubs

In July, in most parts of the United States, Japanese beetles will lay their eggs in the lawn. When the eggs hatch, they are grub larvae, which burrow underground and feed on grass roots.

Skunks

Skunks are night feeders that have a keen sense of smell. The skunk searches out the grubs underground. In doing so, the skunks dig holes the size of a quarter in diameter and 1 to 2 inches deep to eat the grubs.

Preventing Grubs

Lawns treated with imidacloprid anytime between April 1 and Aug. 15 just once will not have grub infestations, thus leaving skunks with no reason to dig up the lawn. The imidacloprid prevents the Japanese beetle eggs from hatching.

References

• Cornell University: New York State Integrated Pest Management
• University of California IPM Online: Pests in Gardens and Landscapes
• University of Rhode Island: White Grub Control