What is making holes in my yard? They are 1 to 1-1/2 diameter and 2 to 10 " deep?

I have seen one or two holes over my yard in the past but when I planted some flowers under my mimosa tree holes have appeared all around the tree. I have never seen such a mess, some of the flower bulbs have been uprooted and the mulch that was 4 inches deep, pulverized. I live in North Carolina and would love some help finding what did this and how to stop it! Thanks, Wanda.

Answers:
snakes or gophers

Other answers:
rodents of somesort
rodents of somesort
moles they do the same thing to my yard
Could it be gopher or mole holes? Imagine (if you don't already) your property as home to others, though you're probably the one paying rent, mortgage and/or taxes on it!
Sounds like Moles to me. You can go to your local feed meal or Southern States. They can probably help you with solving this problem.
See if there are Japanese Beetles also known as Elm Root Beetles in your state. We have them here in Las Vegas Nevada and they are known for burrowing holes about the size you described around the bottoms of trees in the soil. They eat the roots of trees especialy Elm trees. They usually only come out around dusk (early evening). They are creepy, they are 2 to 3 inches long with pincher's. They fly. They don't bother anyone and it's not like you see them all the time, actually you hardly ever see them. But they're there. Check and see if this is your problem.. If it is don't worry they don't seem to purposely hurt anyone.. However, my uncle put one down my pants when I was about 5 and it bit me in the @$$. I lived though.. ha ha.. Hope this helps.
Sounds like an armadillo to me.
Carpenter ants
I live in North Carolina also and it could be one of two culprits - especially if you live near a wooded area. If you are losing entire plants - like a small bunch of petunias or pansies the deer will rip them up roots and all. If it is just various holes being dug - sounds like you have a squirrel problem. They will dig the holes and bury nuts in the fall and all winter, spring and summer dig your yard to pieces looking for the nuts. The dimensions of the holes you described fit squirrels also. My grandmother planted bulbs for irises one fall and her next door neighbor had beautiful irises the following spring - thanks to squirrels!
I know this sounds cruel, but you might just take your water hose and run water into the holes over night, If there is something in there, like a mole or something, it will find a way out and move to somewhere else, not so wet. Either that or it will drown. Problem solved.
Gopher, maybe mole. Possible a snake. Throw some moth balls out there.
aaaaaaaaaa.is'nt there any mischevious sqierrel?
they are called grubs grub x will do the job follow directions
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