Identifying the Culprit Behind Holes in Your Gravel Driveway

Small, scattered holes (2–5 inches deep, 2 inches wide) appearing overnight in a gravel driveway—especially in dry areas—are a classic sign of skunks foraging for grubs and insects.

Why Skunks?

Skunks dig shallow, conical pits in loose soil, gravel, and lawns to uncover beetle larvae, earthworms, and other invertebrates. They are nocturnal, so the damage appears each morning. They prefer dry, easy-to-dig substrates over grass, which explains why your gravel drive is targeted while the lawn is mostly spared.

Confirmation and Control

• Verify with photos: Take clear, high-resolution photos of the holes (include a ruler for scale) and email to a wildlife specialist or extension service.
• Exclusion: Install 1/2-inch hardware cloth buried 12 inches deep around vulnerable areas.
• Habitat modification: Reduce grub populations in the lawn with beneficial nematodes or milky spore (long-term). Remove pet food, fallen fruit, and accessible garbage.
• Trapping: If legal in your state, live-trap and euthanize (relocation is often prohibited). Use covered cage traps baited with sardines or peanut butter. Check local laws first.

Visit the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (icwdm.org) for detailed skunk biology, trapping instructions, and state-specific regulations.