Which Varmints Dig in the Ground to Nest?

Moles

• Moles have cylindrical bodies, usually covered with black or gray fur. As they live mostly underground, they're seldom seen although they're a relatively common small mammal in most locations. The average mole spends much of the day -- as well as night -- gathering food or digging underground tunnels.

  Farmers and gardeners consider moles varmints because their tunnels often become disruptive to the growth of plants; moles also have a positive side as they feed on beetles and worms, helping to control the population.

Skunks

• Skunks either dig their own nest or occupy deserted nests of other mammals. They use underground nests for several purposes, including birthing, raising offspring, hiding and resting. Skunks -- like moles -- can be both beneficial and disadvantageous to plant and vegetable growers. As scavengers, skunks eat nearly anything they come across.

  Although handling wild animals should be avoided -- due to potential disease dangers such as rabies -- skunks are relatively docile and are rarely aggressive toward humans. Creatures that put a skunk under a stressful circumstance may find an unusual, smelly liquid sprayed at them.

Burrowing Owl

• The burrowing owl has several names from the hill owl to the tunnel owl. The owl maintains a prominently sandy color and has a round head with long legs. Although the burrowing owl nests, rests and stores its food underground, they rarely excavate their own hole, unless the soil condition allows it to do so; instead, the burrowing owl builds its nest in burrows vacated by other mammals.

  Unlike other nocturnal owls, they are active from dusk until dawn, and in some cases, even during the day. They feed on different types of prey, including arthropods, such as grasshoppers and beetles, as well as small mammals, including rodents and squirrels.

Digger Bees

• Digger bees are covered with thick, solid black and yellow hair. The female digger bees build their nests a few inches within the ground in the late spring and early summer. Male digger bees travel the whole day searching for female bees to mate with and resting at night; female digger bees are usually gathering pollen for their offspring or digging nests.