Help me out. Deer or something is wrecking my new sod every night

Hi there. About five weeks ago, I had sod put down and some landscaping done. I wake up to some variation of the visuals every night. It was the worst day ever. I’m going to go crazy right now. I tried lights, sprays, and powders. Over 200 lawn staples to attempt to keep it down. However, nothing is effective. Please, help!?!?

Since the bottoms lack roots, it seems like they are dragging the sod away to consume the roots, but my cameras won’t pick them up.

The lawn competition for 2024 is on! Submit your lawn before September 30th.

You can post your entries on the pinned thread. Good luck!

Stay up and chase them off yourself.

Might be grubs, and animals like raccoons or skunks are going for them. Grubs are a snack for many animals. Try a 24-hour grub killer. Once they’re gone, the animals should stop. If your sod doesn’t root soon, it could die off, so water it a lot and keep hoping. Sod can be tricky.

@Axel
Gross but probably tasty to them.

@Axel
I had armadillos digging little holes in mine, and that’s when I realized I had grubs too.

Try an Orbit motion sprinkler.

I’m not totally sure it’s deer. That’s just my guess.

Hartley said:
I’m not totally sure it’s deer. That’s just my guess.

Same thing happened to me but it was a skunk looking for grubs. Check around 11pm with a flashlight and see what’s going on. If it’s a skunk, look through a window first.

@Tristan
Raccoons are another option. Any ideas on how to stop them? I’m thinking of trying netting.

Hartley said:
@Tristan
Raccoons are another option. Any ideas on how to stop them? I’m thinking of trying netting.

I’m dealing with the grubs first, then maybe pest control if it keeps happening. I’ve heard of using mothballs and predator urine as deterrents but haven’t tried it yet. I’m also using a sprinkler system at night, hoping that scares them.

Hartley said:
I’m not totally sure it’s deer. That’s just my guess.

Get a trail cam!

Hartley said:
I’m not totally sure it’s deer. That’s just my guess.

If you’re not sure it’s deer, maybe change the title?

It’s probably raccoons digging for grubs. Did you treat your lawn for them this year?

This looks just like what raccoons do. They peel it back looking for bugs.

Check for grubs. The way the lawn is being pulled up could mean they’ve eaten the roots.

Adi said:
Check for grubs. The way the lawn is being pulled up could mean they’ve eaten the roots.

The roots haven’t taken yet since it’s new sod.

Rowan said:

Adi said:
Check for grubs. The way the lawn is being pulled up could mean they’ve eaten the roots.

The roots haven’t taken yet since it’s new sod.

Thanks for clearing that up!

I used stainless steel mesh to stop squirrels, and it worked great. Should do the same for other animals.

Tai said:
Use Grub-Ex.

Would that still work for new sod? Everything I read says grubs are more of a problem with established lawns.