Nature visits your home not often. Yes, that’s turtles coming to your home and laying eggs. People are often confused about what to do when a turtle lays eggs.

It can be difficult to get turtles into your yard if you don’t know much about turtles.

What should you do? This episode of Turtles will show you what to do if a turtle starts laying eggs in your yard.

What To Do If A Turtle Lays Eggs In Your Yard?

Two options are available: either keep them safe, incubate them or call animal control. After laying eggs and digging the nest with soil, mother turtles usually move on.

Many eggs don’t incubate for a variety of reasons. They will be pulled up by small predators such as coyotes and raccoons, which can smell the eggs from far away.

If the eggs hatch successfully, the baby turtles will move to the nearest water source.

Now, let me explain in detail.

There are two options available to you if a turtle eggs in your yard. You have two options: either let them go or call animal control. The first option is my preference.

In search of a nesting spot, a turtle will dig up yards. They will make multiple nests during this process.

If the ground beneath is not suitable, she will continue digging.

There are also chances that the eggs in turtle nests may not be present.

The turtle will either leave immediately after laying her eggs or wait until the next day to recover her energy. These turtles are not likely to make a home in your garden.

Like most reptiles turtles are not maternalistic. They won’t nurture their younglings. They will not nurture their children.

What Happens To Eggs After The Turtle Leaves?

Turtles can lay hundreds of eggs per day. Because of their high mortality rate, turtles often lay hundreds of eggs at once. Your eggs might not hatch. These eggs can also be killed by pesticides, predatory attacks, and dud eggs.

The eggs would hatch in three months if they were free from all the dangers. If you wish to help the declining turtle population, this is not too long.

These are some possible scenarios for turtle eggs in your yard.

Predators Eat These Eggs

Turtle eggs are a favorite food of many predators, particularly small mammals. Some animals can smell turtle eggs far away, including coyotes and river otters as well as foxes and skunks. They will quickly eat all eggs and cause havoc in your yard.

Most Eggs Are Infertile

The turtles can lay eggs even though they haven’t mated. Your yard’s eggs will be 90% infertile.

Even if the turtle lays fertile eggs in the yard, it will still produce duds because of lack of nutrition.

These eggs that are nutritionally deficient will not produce embryos, but eggs with hollow shells will.

What Happens To The Hatched Turtle Eggs?

Only 5-10% of turtle eggs hatch and only 1% survive to adulthood. Baby turtles that have just been hatched will instinctively seek out the nearest water source. It is best to not handle turtles as they travel.

How To Protect Turtle Eggs In Your Yard?

• Protect the nest against predators by purchasing a nest protector
• Make a brush pile
• Your other pets should be kept indoors.
• Take care when you mow.
• Don’t use pesticides
• Drainage should be done near the site

Get A Nest Protector To Protect The Nest From Predators

Nest protectors are a protective cage you place over the turtle’s nesting area. It is not enough to keep it all alone. These cages can be carried by some mammals that are strong enough.

To keep them stable, place a large stone on top of the cage.

Set Up A Brush Pile

To provide shelter for eggs and turtles, build a brush pile close to the nest. If you plan to keep the turtles outdoors, this will allow them to have a safe place to hide from predators once they hatch.

Keep Your Other Pets Indoor

Inquisitive pets are dogs and cats. They will sniff out the turtle eggs in your yard. They will then dig up your yard to eat the eggs.

To prevent your pet from digging into these nests, you can keep them in the house or use a nest protector.

Be Mindful While Mowing

Mowing your lawn should be done with care. You can avoid mowing near the nest to remove the brush piles which hide it from predators. Do not mow areas far from the nest.

Do Not Use Pesticides

Pesticides can cause eggs to become infertile by disrupting the incubation process. Pesticides can also be used to kill other insects and invertebrates that are important food sources for baby turtles.

These insects will provide the turtles with protein once they have emerged from their eggs. Use pesticides only during the incubation period of turtle eggs.

Make Proper Drainage Near The Site

Don’t allow water to seep into the nest. This could cause damage to the eggs within the nest. Turtle eggs can only incubate if they are kept dry and warm. Mothers should avoid places that are too close to water sources.

Frequently Asked Question

Why Do Turtles Make Multiple Holes In The Yard?

In their search for suitable locations to lay eggs, turtles dig multiple holes. Their eggs must incubate in a dry and warm place.

It has another reason. They don’t always fill every hole with their eggs. These turtles can fool predators by creating empty nests.

Should You Re-Bury Turtle Eggs In Another Spot?

You shouldn’t bury eggs in another place. The nesting site is chosen carefully by turtles. For eggs to hatch, they know exactly the depth, moisture, temperature, and other requirements. They will not hatch if they are repositioned in different locations.

Should You Remove Turtle Eggs From Your Yard?

These turtle eggs are not necessary to be removed. They will hatch within three months, or they will become infertile. If your conscience says you should remove them, contact animal control to have them do so.

What To Do If The Turtle Doesn’t Leave After Laying Eggs?

Most turtles won’t harm a fly, in general. Snapping turtles are aggressive and may bite you if they approach you. Call animal control to have the turtle removed. These experts will use turtle traps in order to capture these guests who are not returning.

Final Words On What To Do If A Turtle Lays Eggs In Your Yard

Turtles travel long distances every year to find dry areas to lay their eggs. Only a few of these eggs survive, and they make it to adulthood from hundreds of others.

You have two options: either provide shelter for the turtles and allow them to go their natural course or call animal control to have them removed.