If you’ve noticed mysterious mounds of dirt, sunken spots in your lawn, or chewed-up garden plants, you might be dealing with more than just bad luck. You could be facing an underground invasion by groundhogs.
Also known as woodchucks, groundhogs are surprisingly destructive for their size. While they may seem like innocent, chubby rodents enjoying a sunny day, these critters can turn your peaceful yard into a construction zone almost overnight.
Why Groundhogs Love Your Property
Groundhogs are burrowing animals that prefer open spaces near wooded areas, making backyards, fields, and commercial green spaces the perfect real estate. They dig extensive burrow systems, some reaching up to 45 feet long and 5 feet deep, that include multiple exits, nesting areas, and food storage spots.
What attracts them? Easy access to food like vegetables, flowers, and shrubs. If your property includes a garden, orchard, or even a well-landscaped lawn, it’s a five-star buffet to a hungry groundhog.
The Damage They Cause
Don’t let their slow shuffle and cute appearance fool you, groundhogs are capable of serious destruction:
- Structural damage: Their burrows can compromise foundations, sidewalks, driveways, and even decks or sheds if they dig beneath them.
- Landscape destruction: Gardens, flower beds, and lawns are often ravaged by hungry groundhogs searching for soft roots and greens.
- Livestock hazards: On farms, their holes can trip livestock, damage equipment, or lead to flooding in pastures.
- Attracting predators: Burrows can also attract other animals like skunks, foxes, or snakes looking for shelter.
And if one groundhog finds a safe, food-rich environment? Others will follow.
Signs of a Groundhog Problem
Knowing what to look for can help you catch an infestation early. Common signs include:
- Large, crescent-shaped dirt mounds near tunnel openings
- Wide, round holes in the ground (typically 10–12 inches in diameter)
- Bite marks on vegetables, fruit, or ornamental plants
- Tracks with four toes on the front and five on the back
- Droppings near feeding areas
You may even spot the culprit sunbathing on a rock or your porch; they love to bask in the sun between meals.
DIY Fixes Rarely Work
Homeowners often try to deter groundhogs with motion-sensor sprinklers, ammonia-soaked rags, or ultrasonic devices. While these may offer temporary relief, groundhogs are smart and persistent. Once they’ve invested the time to build a burrow system, they’re unlikely to leave without a serious reason.
Trapping them requires skill, timing, and knowledge of local wildlife laws. Many areas have specific guidelines about how and where groundhogs can be relocated.
Why Professional Removal is Best
At A Plus Wildlife, we offer safe, humane, and effective groundhog removal services tailored to your specific property and situation.
Here’s how we handle it:
- Thorough Inspection – We locate burrow systems, feeding zones, and entry points.
- Targeted Trapping – Using legal and humane methods, we remove the animal(s) safely.
- Burrow Elimination – Once vacated, we take measures to collapse and fill tunnels to prevent reuse.
- Exclusion & Repairs – We install barriers and repair areas to discourage future visitors.
- Prevention Guidance – We help you identify attractants and make changes to protect your property long-term.
Don’t Let Groundhogs Dig In
The longer you wait, the more groundhogs dig in literally. What starts as a small mound can turn into a major repair bill or a ruined garden.
Whether you’re dealing with your first groundhog or suspect a full-blown underground colony, A Plus Wildlife is here to help. We’ve got the tools, knowledge, and experience to protect your home or business in a humane way.
📞 Call us today or request service online:
🌐 https://wildlife-control.org
Let’s stop the digging before it goes any deeper.