Raccoon Damage to Sod: Prevention and Protection Strategies

Identifying the Culprit

If your newly laid sod is being "unrolled" at night, raccoons are almost certainly responsible. The distinctive paw prints and rolled-back turf sections are telltale signs. They're typically searching for grubs and earthworms beneath the sod—often a mother teaching her cubs to forage.

Protecting New Sod

A simple, effective barrier system uses chicken wire anchored with wire "hairpins":

1. Lay chicken wire over the entire sodded area
2. Create anchors from wire coat hangers bent into U-shapes
3. Space anchors every 6 inches along all edges
4. Remove wire once sod has firmly rooted (typically 3-4 weeks)

Why This Works

Raccoons can't grip the wire to roll the sod, and the tight anchoring prevents them from lifting edges. The wire allows grass to grow through while providing complete protection during the critical establishment period.