How to Quickly Eliminate Holes in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Getting those pesky holes filled in quickly on your Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) island is a common concern for many players. Whether you’ve been on a fossil-hunting frenzy, terraforming your landscape, or simply dealing with the aftermath of some digging shenanigans, it’s helpful to know the most efficient ways to tidy things up. The quickest method to get rid of holes in ACNH is to simply kick them closed using your character’s foot, or, if you’re not in a rush, they’ll disappear on their own after saving and quitting the game.

The Quickest Method: Kicking Holes Closed

The absolute fastest way to eliminate holes is by simply pressing the “Y” button while standing next to them. Your character will then use their foot to kick dirt back into the hole, effectively filling it. This method is significantly faster than using a shovel, making it ideal when you have multiple holes to address or are just in a hurry to get back to your island activities. This technique is very simple; move up to the hole you want to fill and press Y. Your character will then kick the dirt over it and be done, it’s as simple as that!

When to Use the Kick Method

• Multiple Holes: If you’ve been doing some serious landscaping or digging, using the “Y” button will save you a significant amount of time compared to refilling each hole with your shovel.
• Speed: When you need to quickly get rid of a hole and move on, this is your best bet. This is especially useful if you are in the middle of terraforming or have just finished getting all of the buried bells for the day.
• Broken Shovel: If your shovel breaks mid-digging session, the “Y” button is a lifesaver. You can continue your activities without having to stop to craft or purchase a new one immediately.

The Lazy Method: Letting Holes Disappear

If you’re not in a rush or if you simply don’t feel like filling in every hole immediately, you can leave the holes open. These holes will disappear automatically when you save and quit the game and then reload your save. This is ideal for when you are finished playing for the day or simply don’t want to be bothered with cleaning up at the moment. This can be helpful for players who don’t have time to fill them but still want to have a pristine island to come back to the next time they play.

When to Use the Disappearing Method

• End of Play Session: If you are about to finish playing, you can leave the holes open and they’ll be gone when you play next time.
• Time Savings: This is the most relaxed way to deal with holes and is particularly convenient if you’re not too fussed about them being there until your next play session.
• No Effort: This method takes absolutely no effort from you; just close the game, and the holes are gone when you return.

FAQ: Clearing Holes in ACNH and Other Digging Related Questions

1. Do holes disappear by themselves in Animal Crossing?

Yes, holes disappear automatically when you save and quit the game, and then reload the game. This means that you don’t have to fill in the holes every time if you don’t want to.

2. Do buried items disappear if you leave the holes?

No, buried items do not disappear if you leave holes unfilled. When you quit the game, all the holes may disappear, but your buried items will still be there.

3. What are the glowing spots?

The glowing spots you see on the ground are where you can dig up buried bells. When you find a glowing spot, dig it up to get bells. You also have the opportunity to bury bells in that same spot to grow a money tree.

4. What can cause holes to appear on your island?

Holes typically appear when the player uses their shovel to dig. This includes digging for fossils, buried bells, or during terraforming. While other animals cannot create these holes, your villagers can sometimes be seen investigating the holes that you’ve created.

5. Can villagers dig holes?

No, villagers cannot dig holes. They will, however, investigate the holes that you’ve dug around your island.

6. What is the shovel for in ACNH?

The shovel is used for digging up items, like fossils and buried bells, as well as removing trees, and filling holes back up. It’s a crucial tool for developing your island.

7. Can my shovel break?

Yes, shovels can break after a certain number of uses. It’s always good to have a spare shovel on hand, or be aware of your inventory.

8. How do I get a shovel?

You can get the DIY recipe for a flimsy shovel from Tom Nook at the start of the game and can also purchase a better version later on. This recipe will be given upon the completion of his DIY workshop, where he gives you the materials to craft many of the basic items you’ll need to begin your journey on the island.

9. How does the kick method work?

Simply press the “Y” button when standing near a hole to kick dirt back into it. This is a very quick way of filling up holes.

10. Is the kick method faster than using a shovel?

Yes, the kick method is significantly faster than filling a hole with a shovel.

11. What are the pitfalls of leaving holes open?

Leaving holes open can create visual clutter, and some players might find it bothersome when navigating their island. If you’re terraforming, an untidy island can also be very distracting.

12. Can other players fill holes on my island?

Yes, if you have other players visiting your island, they can also fill in holes using both the “Y” button or their shovels. This can be a nice way to have friends help you clean up your island.

13. Is there a way to get rid of the holes instantly?

The closest thing to instantly getting rid of holes is to kick them all closed using the “Y” button in combination with some island reorganization. However, no method gets rid of them entirely except saving and closing the game.

14. Are there any tricks for finding buried bells?

There are no specific tricks other than to simply check your island daily. Glowing spots will appear in different locations each day, and those are the spots where you’ll want to begin digging. You may also dig up buried fossils which can be added to your museum.

15. What are money trees and how do I grow them?

To grow a money tree, dig up a glowing spot, and then, instead of just getting the bells, bury bells in the open hole. A money tree sprout will then appear. The tree will grow within a few days. Once fully grown, the tree will hold bags of bells.

By knowing these methods and FAQ answers, you can easily manage holes on your ACNH island and spend more time focusing on enjoying all the features the game has to offer, like collecting fossils, growing flowers, or finding the rarest villagers.