My backyard was literally tore up over night, all the sod has been turned over. What did this?

Answer 1

Depends on what the damage looks like. If the sod has been completely turned and you can see holes in several places, sounds like an armadillo problem. If you have a network of tunnels throughout your yard, you have a mole problem.

Answer 2

Sounds to me you could have a problem with coons or opossums, or skunks, all of which are creatures that are nocturnal hunters. They are looking for grub worms or other type of burrowing insects. If you have had problems with moles in the past, this could also be what is tearing your lawn up, only they do it from underground making pushed up mounds all over your yard. You did not mention if this had been fresh sod that you had put down to cover and existing lawn that wasn't doing very well or what. So it's really hard to say what could be destroying your lawn without having to sit up during the night with a flashlight and guarding your yard. But my guess would be one of the mentioned critters above.

Answer 3

Armadillos may be the culprit. They will literally turn over your lawn looking for grubs, their favorite food. They are fast, destructive diggers and once destroyed a 30 foot long flowerbed on my property. They can even kill trees. Here is a picture of typical armadillo damage: http://www.cherylsgardenparty.com/2004Graphics/Diary/Oct04/DilloDamagecgp.jpg

You don't mention whether your backyard is fenced. Armadillos will dig under fences; you may be able to find where they entered your yard. When I had difficulty with armadillos in my fenced backyard, I buried chicken wire 1 foot deep around my entire property, attaching it to my chainlink fence. Hot, dirty, tiresome work? Yes. My property is 2/3 of an acre! Have I seen armadillo damage since then? No. (My neighbors have, though!)

If your yard is not fenced, there are many different armadillo repellents on the market. I have tried some of them, and have found nothing works better than cayenne pepper (powdered crushed red pepper). One "hot" snootful and the armadillo loses interest in my yard. If the pest is something besides an armadillo, red pepper works on foxes, cats, dogs, squirrels, gophers...anything with a nose.

Other sources that may help you deal with armadillos are:
http://www.msu.edu/~nixonjos/armadillo/problems.html
http://icwdm.org/handbook/mammals/armadillos.asp

Good luck!

Answer 4

With that much damage it was probably raccoons. Skunks tend to dig many small holes and not turn over the sod. They have found out that you have grubs in your lawn. Treat the grubs and the animals will leave your lawn alone.

"Skunks and raccoons may tear up lawns in search of grubs, even when grub numbers are relatively low. Typically a population of about 8 to 12 grubs per square foot causes lawn damage that requires control; whereas lower populations may not damage the grass, they may attract skunks and raccoons.

Insecticides available for homeowners include trichlorfon, halofenozide, or imidacloprid for control of white grubs. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora nematode is an example of an alternative product for white grub control that is available." Milky spore is effective on the Japanese Beetle grub but will not control other white grubs.

Answer 5

Skunk or racoon or christian or some other varmint. ;-)