Posted by Janina Oakley on June 18, 2007

Q: Hello, I have just found this informative site.

For several nights in a row, something has been digging a neat round hole in one of my house planters. The hole is a bit larger than a gold ball, and only next to a fern. The ivies in the same planter are not touched, neither have any of my other plants been touched. This planter is atop a 36" high cabinet, which has several cords hanging down the back.

I thought I must have a mouse, but it makes no sense for a mouse to tunnel in a houseplant when there is food in a paper package not 10 feet away! (food since moved!)

I would like your best guess as to what is causing this, and what to do about it. I live in a moblie home in a small village, and there is a large vacant grassy lot next to me. I do have a live trap, but the fern is too big to fit into it for bait. thanks so much, Janina in Canada

Habitat: field/meadow

State: Alberta

Habitat: field/meadow

A: Well, I have two thoughts as to what might be making your planter "holes". Seems to me that it is either a chipmunk or skunk. Not knowing your specific area, I can't be sure which of these is more likely. Chipmunks can become quite active around flower pots looking for food and do some digging creating holes as you've described. Also Striped Skunks (only skunk in Alberta) will dig in the soil looking for grubs. I realize you may not have seen any skunks around but they're active at night and are often not seen by residents. Sounds like they're not damaging your plants, just making a mess of the planters you have.

My guess is that after a few times of digging in your planters, they'll look elsewhere for food so I wouldn't worry too much right now. About the only effective approach would be to capture and remove these animals if it becomes a real problem. A local nursery may have something that can be spread over the soil that's smelly and would deter their digging, but I'm not familiar with a specific product.

Sure hope this helps. Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( June 20, 2007)