How To Get Rid Of Groundhogs
(804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383
How to get rid of groundhogs or woodchucks in the Richmond VA and Charlottesville VA areas of Central Virginia is a question we are frequently asked. Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks and whistle pigs. They are often confused with gophers, pocket gophers, prairie dogs and hedgehogs. They eat plants and love to invade gardens during the Spring and Summer. They are excellent diggers creating holes in yards, fields and the edges of wood lines. Common groundhog complaints include:
- Groundhogs burrowing next to houses
- Groundhogs living under a deck or porch
- Groundhogs eating vegetables in gardens
- Sidewalks collapsing due to groundhogs tunneling
- Damage to HVAC systems and ductwork caused by groundhogs in crawl spaces
- Groundhogs digging under sheds and garages
- Horses breaking their legs in a groundhog hole
- Farm equipment being damaged by groundhog burrows
Step By Step Instructions On Getting Rid Of Groundhogs
- Purchase a large and sturdy cage trap. Preferably one rated for raccoons and about 12 x 12 x 30 inches in size.
- Monitor groundhog movements to determine the areas being frequented by the nuisance woodchucks. Set your groundhog trap in these areas after baiting them with fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure you do not leave human scent on the traps and set them in shady areas (groundhogs do not tolerate extreme heat and will die quickly).
- It is against the law to transport and relocate animal in Virginia. Any groundhogs that you catch MUST be euthanized on site and the carcass disposed of in accordance with local and state laws.
Many of our animal removal customers in Richmond, Henrico, Midlothian, Chesterfield and Charlottesville VA do not like the idea of trapping any type of wildlife. In these cases you can often resolve a groundhog problem without trapping the animal. As an example, you can install fencing around a garden you don’t want eaten by groundhogs, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits and other animals. If you use a cage trap, be sure to set it in the shade and relocate the groundhog as soon as possible. NEVER attempt to poison groundhogs. Unfortunately, there are no effective or registered groundhog repellents approved for use in Virginia.
If you have groundhog living under a deck, shed, or other structure, install an exclusion barrier – steel mesh around the perimeter, and down at least 12 into the ground, with bottom of mesh sloping outward. If you need help excluding animals give us a call. We provide animal exclusion services for all types of animals.
If you don’t want to get rid of groundhogs yourself call us. We provide fast, safe and humane groundhog removal, groundhog trapping, groundhog capture, groundhog control and groundhog management in Richmond, VA and other areas of Central Virginia. We also provide groundhog fencing and groundhog exclusion services to help keep them from digging beneath structures.
Contact Us at (804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383 for Virginia groundhog trapping, groundhog control, groundhog removal, pest control, animal capture, animal exclusion or wildlife management in VA.
Additional information on groundhogs, groundhog removal and how to get rid of groundhogs can be found here.
