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We are Chicago Suburbs Wildlife, and we solve conflicts between people and wild animals. From squirrels in your attic, to raccoons in your trash, to bats, rats, birds, and snakes, we do it all. We specialize in safe and effective solutions to Illinois critter problems. We service the greater Chicago Suburbs region, and we offer fast service - we can usually schedule a same-day appointment. Give us a call at 630-246-2501 any time, 24/7, and we will discuss your unique wild animal problem, and give you a free price quote over the phone. We're ready to take your call now!

Our service range: We service Cook County, DeKalb County, DuPage County, Grundy County, Jasper County, Kane County, Kendall County, Kenosha County, Lake County, McHenry County, Newton County, Porter County, Will County and more. We also service Aurora, Berwyn, Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Crystal Lake, DeKalb, Des Plaines, Elgin, Elmhurst, Evanston, Gary, Hammond, Joliet, Kenosha, Naperville, North Chicago, Park Ridge, Portage, St. Charles, Valparaiso, Waukegan, Wheaton, Addison, Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, Cicero, Downers Grove, Elk Grove Village, Glendale Heights, Glenview, Gumee, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Lombard, Merriville, Mount Prospect, Mundelein, Northbrook, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Orland Park, Oswego, Palatine, Plainfield, Romeoville, SWchaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood, Tinley Park, Wheeling, Woodridge, and more.

Chicago Suburbs Wildlife Education: Do Raccoons Burrow or Dig Holes?

There are a number of pesky little critters that can be guilty of digging up your lawn or garden. There are skunks, moles, gophers, and even many dogs will dig holes wherever they can. But are raccoons one of the offenders in this case? That depends on who you talk to, or what website you read on the Internet, or what is meant by “digging holes.”



No Burrowing
Raccoons do not dig their own burrows or dens. Instead, they use burrows that are ready-made. Their little hand-like paws aren’t designed for the major digging projects that an underground den requires. So they just look for a burrow that’s all ready for someone to move into. Or they will opt for a hollow tree or log, or some other sheltered place, like your attic.

If Food is Involved
The raccoon does dig for food. They will dig through your mulch pile, compost pile, or through any garbage can or dumpster they can gain access to. They have also been known to roll up freshly laid sod in search of one of their favorite meals—grubs. They are also capable of digging underneath fences to get to a desired food source. But if you see actual holes dug into your lawn, especially cone-shaped holes that are several inches deep, those probably aren’t the handiwork of a raccoon. A skunk is more likely the perpetrator in this case. A raccoon will dig around in the grass searching for grubs or other bugs, but it’s not likely that it will dig a regular hole.

Prevention
How can you prevent a raccoon from doing what digging it will to your yard, especially to prevent it from messing up your new sod? Two things. The best thing is to rid your lawn of grubs. This will greatly reduce the chances that the raccoons will come in for a midnight snack. If you’ve just laid sod, roll up a spot and dig down a couple of inches. If you see the grubs, you’ll want to get something to kill then. Check at your hardware store or nursery for commercial preparations that will eradicate theme. When the grubs are gone, the raccoons won’t come around nearly so often. The other thing to do is to fence off the area where the sod was laid until it has had time to put down a strong root system.

Previous Education Articles
The Chicago Suburbs Black Rat Snake: Appearance, biology, life cycle, habitat, diet, behavior
What Kind of Danger can Chicago Suburbs Coyotes Can Pose to Humans?
Do relocated Chicago Suburbs mice survive?
About Chicago Suburbs Moles: Appearance, biology, life cycle, habitat, diet, behavior