Groundhog Under Your Porch or Shed? What Ohio Homeowners Should Know

Seeing a groundhog disappear underneath your porch, deck or shed is usually a pretty good indication that there's more going on underneath than you can see.

Groundhogs are excellent diggers and commonly create burrows underneath structures where they have shelter and protection. While seeing one in the yard may not seem like a big deal at first, their burrowing can become a problem when it's happening directly underneath your home or another structure.

Here's what Ohio homeowners should know if they have a groundhog living under a porch, deck or shed.

Why Do Groundhogs Burrow Under Sheds and Porches?

Groundhogs naturally create underground burrow systems, and the space underneath a structure can provide an ideal protected location.

Sheds, decks and porches give them overhead cover while the surrounding soil allows them to dig. Once they've established a burrow, you may notice them regularly entering and exiting from the same area.

Groundhog burrows can also be more extensive underground than what you can see from the entrance.

Signs You May Have a Groundhog Burrow

Actually seeing a groundhog is the easiest way to identify the problem, but you may notice the burrow before you ever see the animal.

A groundhog burrow typically has a noticeable opening with disturbed soil around it. You may also notice digging along the edge of a shed, porch or deck, trails through the yard, damage to landscaping or gardens, or repeated groundhog activity around the property.

If you're seeing fresh digging around an opening, there's a good chance the burrow is actively being used.

Can Groundhogs Cause Damage?

Groundhogs aren't trying to damage your property. They're simply creating a place to live. Unfortunately, where they choose to dig can sometimes create problems for homeowners.

Their burrowing can disturb soil underneath and around sheds, decks, porches and other structures. They can also damage gardens, landscaping and vegetation while feeding.

The longer an active burrow remains underneath a structure, the more extensive the underground tunnel system may become.

Should You Fill in a Groundhog Hole?

If you discover a groundhog hole under your shed or porch, simply filling it in isn't necessarily the best solution.

If the groundhog is still actively using the burrow, it may dig the opening back out or create another entrance nearby. There is also the possibility of additional animals being inside the burrow.

Before closing off access, it's important to make sure the wildlife issue itself has been addressed.

Groundhog Trapping and Removal

When a groundhog has established a burrow underneath a structure, trapping can be used to address the active animal before moving forward with repairs or exclusion.

At KBC Wildlife Solutions, we evaluate the property and activity to determine the appropriate approach for each situation. Every property is different, and the location of the burrow can affect how the issue should be handled.

Once the groundhog activity has been addressed, the next step is making it harder for another animal to move into the same space.

Preventing Groundhogs From Getting Back Under a Shed or Porch

Removing the groundhog doesn't change the fact that the area underneath the structure provided a good place to burrow.

That's where wildlife exclusion can make a big difference.

Depending on the structure and property, exclusion may involve installing a physical barrier around the perimeter to prevent wildlife from easily digging underneath again.

KBC Wildlife Solutions provides both nuisance wildlife trapping and exclusion services, allowing us to address the animal that's currently there as well as the access that made the area attractive in the first place.

Groundhog Removal in Central Ohio

If you have a groundhog living under your shed, porch or deck, KBC Wildlife Solutions can help.

We provide groundhog trapping, wildlife inspections and exclusion services throughout Central Ohio, including Delaware County and surrounding communities.