Just started my garden a week ago (some seeds and some plants) and when I went out to go water them I noticed small holes in only one of the planter boxes. They are about the size of a dime. No mounds. I live in Southern California if that helps to narrow down what it could be. I don't see any damage to leaves but they are definitely all around where I had put some seeds. Google has been no help. Just hoping it's something that won't hurt my little baby garden lol. Thanks!

I don't know what they are but it could be some kind of beetle. Holes the size of a dime are pretty large. So maybe a really big beetle?

I don't know what they are but it could be some kind of beetle. Holes the size of a dime are pretty large. So maybe a really big beetle?

Maybe @JRsbugs can stop by to take a look.

I get holes like that also. Mine are about the size of between a quarter or 50 cent peice.
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Could be Cicadas

Many solitary bees nest in the ground making holes like this. Some make small mounds which they cover the hole with when they leave, and scratch their way back in when they return but others don't. Dime sized sounds quite large but maybe you have large bees.

https://www.google.co.uk/searc...

Yikes !😬! I must have some huge soldier beetles or huge bees, to leave a 1 to 2 inch dia. Hole. 😮😬😬😬.
No ground squrills.
I do get gophers. Butt ! I've never known a gopher to leave there hole open ?
What y'all think ???😕
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There is a woodpecker here which walks along the sidewalk and pecks into the soil,--- looking for ants, I think. He leaves holes as he goes.

Our yard is full of holes where cicadas are emerging. Some, a little smaller than a dime, others a little bigger.

Southern CA here as well... Are you seeing a lot of Green rose chafers/June beetles? They'd be digging and putting grubs in the soil.. Can you dig up the soil to detect any grubs?


I spotted this one digging into a pot containing a dead bird.. they like the smell of decomposition and manure. Their grubs are very large and come to the surface at night.

THe only other alternative I can think of is a wasp.

I'll bet on solitary wasps. They dig holes in bare soil to drag caterpillars for food for their eggs in August. Don't disturb the soil around the holes. The female wasps depend on seeing the same terrain to find the holes when they bring caterpillars to the eggs.

I read an article once that said even moving a couple small stomes could confuse them completely.

BTW, if you see cone shaped holes in the soil, don't bother those either. Those are ant-lions. Ants step on the slope and the loose grains make them fall in where the larvae grabs. them. It is admirable in a minor lethal way.

The adult form seems harmless to animals, flowers or veggies. Just one of those insects that have little effect.