What Are Some Signs That You Have A Groundhog Under Your Shed Or Porch?

It is not uncommon to find small animals living under your shed or porch. However, it can be devastating to find that one of these animals is a groundhog. They are difficult and frustrating to deal with and they can cause a ton of property damage.

The first step in dealing with a ground hog is properly diagnosing the issue. There are some tell-tale signs that let you know without a doubt, there is a groundhog living under your shed or porch. Here is what to look out for.



Signs of a Groundhog

Groundhogs have an insatiable thirst for digging and they are also very cautious animals. This means they like to have multiple escape routes from their main den. Sometimes you will find these in the form of collapsed tunnels or holes in the yard leading away from the shed or porch area.

If you have a groundhog living under your shed or porch, you will certainly see signs of digging in the area. You’ll also likely find fresh dirt in front of some of the holes. These animals love dirt and they love to move it around.

Groundhogs constantly expand their burrows and will leave multiple holes in front of the shed or porch. You’ll likely see new ones just about every day. A single groundhog burrow can span forty-five feet underground, compromising the integrity of your foundation.

You may also hear a high-pitched whistling sound when you go outside. These animals whistle through their teeth to warn other groundhogs of potential danger. In this case, you are the danger. You’ll also see signs of hungry animals in your garden, or what’s left of it. Groundhogs can ravage a garden and render it nearly useless.

Removing Groundhogs

Groundhogs are heavily populated in certain regions and they can cause a lot of damage. There are also many laws governing these animals. Some state and local ordinances often differ because of the nature of these pests.

It is typically recommended that you get professional help removing ground hogs from your property. They can be difficult to deal with and aggressive when encountered. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that you have removed every groundhog before beginning to seal up entry ways.

Inadvertently sealing groundhogs under your home can just exacerbate the issue. The burrow must be properly filled and sealed to prevent other pests and additional groundhogs from creating future problems.

Your best bet is to call your local wildlife management team. They can likely put you in touch with a professional to help with the job. Regular pest control companies are only equipped to handle insects, not larger rodents.


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