Something digging in my garden?

19 years ago

I'm noticing a bunch of holes appearing around my watermelons vines. They're all around the same size - most are a little smaller across than a tennis ball. I haven't noticed any animals in there, (other than a small terrapin that got in through a since-mended gap in the fence a few weeks ago) but the garden's near the back of my yard, so it would be easy enough for whatever it is to disappear before I got close enough to see it - the watermelons are doing really well and their leaves would provide plenty of cover for a smallish animal. Today I found a few droppings in a little pile - round, dry looking, kind of a light brown color, a little bigger than an acorn.

Whatever it is has nibbled a few of my still-green roma tomatoes, but it doesn't seem to like them too much. There doesn't seem to be much other damage, but nothing's ripe yet, so I don't know how destructive my new squatter is going to be. Anyone have any ideas of what it might be, or advice on how to find out or how to discourage it?

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

anitamo
19 years ago
Maybe rabbits? I googled rabbit scat so you can compare notes.
Not sure if rabbits cause the holes, though.

Here is a link that might be useful: rabbit scat
ElaineW
19 years ago
Tarainmd, have you found out what was making the holes? I just found a good sized mound of sand in my perennial bed. It was made of contractors sand that was used to build up my lot when they originally built my house. So it was odd seeing it on TOP of the mulch in my garden. I scooped it up and noticed a tennis ball sized hole. I have filled it in a few times. I thought I collapsed it with water but whatever is doing it is very persistent. Then I sunk really low and put some fresh dog poo way down into and it did not deter it. The hole is back. I have put in too much time and money in this garden to have it wrecked by some mystery critter. What can I do to get it to move to a new home? I am not into killing small animals but I'd love for it to just go away. Any help would be great!
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laceyvail 6A, WV
19 years ago
It could be voles if they're eating vegetable matter, or moles if it's just the hole but no eating of plant material, but there's a type of solitary wasp that makes little holes and excavates quite a bit of dirt too.
dseerveld
19 years ago
Could be skunks digging for grubs.

If you live in the south, armadillos.

Here is a link that might be useful: Skunk control and removal