Groundhog Trapping & Removal

Humane Groundhog Removal Process

We start with a thorough inspection to locate all burrow entrances, assess proximity to foundations and structures, and determine how extensive the setup for trapping will need to be. Groundhog burrows typically have two to five openings, including hidden escape holes.

Burrow-Targeted Trapping: No Bait, No Guesswork

We don't use bait when trapping groundhogs. Most companies do, and it's worth understanding why that's a problem.

Baited traps attract every raccoon, opossum, squirrel, and skunk in the neighborhood, not just the groundhog under your deck. Groundhogs are notoriously difficult to capture with baited traps, so you're likely to pay for a dozen non-target animals before the actual groundhog is ever caught, if it's caught at all. Most companies charge per animal removed, and bait-based trapping conveniently pads that billing model with catches that have nothing to do with your problem.

We take a different approach. We use professional-grade traps installed directly over active burrow entrances so that groundhogs must pass through them to enter or exit. We use no bait that draws in outside animals, so that only the animals using that specific burrow are captured. Occasionally another species may be co-habiting the burrow with the groundhogs, and if so, we'll catch them too. But you'll know that every animal we remove was actually part of your problem.

These traps are a significant investment. They are expensive and prone to damage, which is why most companies avoid them. We use them because they work.

Cellular Data Camera Monitoring

Each trap is monitored with a cellular data camera. The moment a trap closes, we're notified. This matters because a closed trap temporarily blocks the burrow entrance, so it allows us to respond promptly to keep the process moving efficiently and minimize stress on the captured animals. We come out within 24 hours, remove the animal, and reset.

Watch Out for "Pay-by-the-Day" Trapping

Some companies offer flat-rate pricing for a set number of days. Their offer is "we'll leave traps out for X dollars for X days." This sounds straightforward, but it rarely delivers results. These operators often don't use burrow-targeted traps, and in some cases don't even bait them. You pay for time, not results. When the days run out and nothing has been caught, you're either asked to pay for more days or left to deal with the problem yourself. They never guaranteed removal, only that traps would sit on your property for a period of time.

After Removal: Structural Assessment and Exclusion

Once the groundhogs are gone, we will sometimes recommend that sinking structures be reset prior to exclusion. However, in many cases exclusion work can commence as soon as the burrow is empty.

We install permanent exclusion barriers around vulnerable structures to prevent new groundhogs from digging in. These are often painted to color match the structure if the barriers are visible above ground, to ensure they protect the current aesthetics.

All exclusion work is backed by a 10-year written guarantee. If groundhogs enter through any area we protected, we come back at no cost and solve the issue.

Biology & Behavior

The Groundhog (Marmota monax), also called a woodchuck, is the largest member of the squirrel family in the northeast. Adults weigh 8 to 14 pounds. They are true hibernators, entering deep sleep from late October through late February.

Groundhogs are diurnal and herbivorous. They are most active in early morning and late afternoon, feeding on clover, alfalfa, garden vegetables, and ornamental plants. They can consume over a pound of vegetation per day.

Their burrow systems are engineering feats. A typical system includes a main entrance with a characteristic dirt mound, one or more escape holes (usually hidden in vegetation), a nesting chamber, and a separate latrine chamber. Tunnels run 2 to 5 feet below grade and can extend 40 feet or more.

Foundation Damage, Garden Destruction & Disease

Structural undermining is the primary concern. Groundhog burrows along foundations can cause settling, cracking, and water infiltration. Burrows under patios, sidewalks, and retaining walls cause them to sink and shift. The cost of foundation repair far exceeds the cost of groundhog removal and exclusion.

Garden and landscape damage can be extensive. A single groundhog will destroy a vegetable garden in days. They eat everything from tomatoes to ornamental shrubs. They also gnaw on wooden decks, fence posts, and even underground utility lines.

Groundhog burrows are also used by other animals. Skunks, raccoons, opossums, and rabbits will move into abandoned burrow systems, creating secondary wildlife problems.

As a rabies vector species, groundhogs also carry a risk of becoming rabid.

Active Season: March Through October

Groundhogs emerge from hibernation in late February or early March. Males immediately begin roaming for mates. Females give birth in April and May to litters of four to six pups. By June, most young are above ground and foraging. This is when garden damage accelerates.

By October, groundhogs begin eating heavily to build fat reserves for hibernation. They retreat underground in late October or November. The best time to trap and exclude is either early spring before pups are born, or in the summer after the young have dispersed.

Exclusion Barriers & Habitat Modification

Trapping alone does not solve a groundhog problem. If the habitat is attractive, a new groundhog will move in. Sometimes even more dangerous animals, such as raccoons and skunks, will move into groundhog burrows once they are empty. We install permanent barriers around foundations, decks, sheds, and other structures. Our barriers are deep and wide, with an L-shaped footer to prevent digging.

For gardens, we recommend and install buried fence systems that extend below grade. We also advise on habitat modifications that make your property less attractive to groundhogs. It is not advisable to use any deterrents until the groundhogs are gone, as they can make problems significantly worse. However, after the groundhogs are gone and barriers are installed, common sense deterrents can be utilized. Learn more about our full home exclusion service.