Groundhogs have short curved claws which are well adapted for digging and climbing. As a homeowner or property manager it is important to note if groundhogs are making their home on your property. As they dig their tunnel system, up to 700 lbs of soil is removed. This can be troublesome for foundations and other structural elements as cracks and other problems may form due to stress from lack of the support solid ground would provide.

The groundhogs (also known as a Woodchuck or Whistle pig) burrows usually have multiple points of entry to escape predators and average about 45 feet of dug out tunneling. These burrows serve as a place to sleep, raise young, and enter a 'true hibernation' state. They are timid creatures and can easily be scared off, though many times return to their burrow once the danger has passed.

Groundhogs: Damage to properties

As mentioned above, a groundhogs burrowing technique can cause damage to homes, foundations, garages and other structures that sit above the burrows. Besides digging extensively; groundhogs also feed on: grasses, leaves, berries, dandelions, clovers, fruits and vegetables. Their diet can often leave a home garden in shambles and the homeowner frustrated.

Burrows:
To keep groundhogs out, bend hardware cloth into an 8"-12" long L shape, bury the hardware cloth about a foot from the point of entry you want to block off. This will prevent the groundhog from burrowing in specific areas. Another solution would be to attach a 1 way door to the burrows entrance(s). This will allow the groundhog to leave but will prevent him from entering back. Ideally, the 1 way door should be installed in late summer when the litter has grown and left the burrow. After you feel the groundhog has left, you can place grass and other material near the burrows entrance to monitor if he comes back. If the plant material is left undisturbed for a couple of days, then you can be sure that the groundhog has moved on and it is safe to fill the burrows entrance (with soil) to make a permanent seal and check back often to ensure that another mammals has not attempted to make it their new home.

Other Control Methods:
Groundhogs are visual creatures. By rigging objects up in the garden that sway with the wind (and make noise), the groundhog may think twice before making his home in your lawn.

Mixing Tabasco Sauce with water and spraying around the garden will also deter him from your plants (as well as other garden feeders, such as the rabbit).

A 3 foot tall chicken wire fence will also aid in keeping the groundhog from entering specific areas of the garden, though about 1 foot of the fence needs to be buried to prevent tunneling to the other side.