What causes skunks to damage turf?

Skunks are primarily attracted to turf areas because they are actively searching for grubs, which are larvae of beetles that live in the soil. These grubs are a high-protein food source for skunks, and they use their strong sense of smell to locate them beneath the surface. When skunks dig in the ground to access these grubs, it can lead to significant damage to the turf, creating unsightly patches or holes.

While skunks might occasionally look for other food sources such as insects or building nests in a different context, their most common and damaging behavior in terms of turf would indeed involve their foraging process for grubs specifically. The presence of grubs in grass and soil makes lawns particularly appealing to skunks, which is why their search for these pests results in damage. Seeking water sources is typically not a behavior that directly causes damage to turf, further emphasizing that grub searching is the primary motivator for skunks in this scenario.