Groundhog Control in Washington D.C.

District Wildlife Solutions provides groundhog trapping, removal, and exclusion services. We specialize in the safe, humane, and effective removal and prevention of groundhogs from home and property. Special groundhog trapping considerations are required, and we have the correct traps, tools, and experience to properly address the unique characteristics of groundhogs. Call us now at 202-997-3410 for all your professional groundhog removal needs.

Visit our Washington DC wildlife removal home page to learn more about our groundhog control services.

 

Groundhog Removal Tips from Professionals

While they might look like cute little rodents, there’s nothing cute about groundhogs invading your property. Otherwise known as woodchucks, groundhogs will indiscriminately make holes all over your yard. If these holes are near the foundation of your house, they can compromise the structural integrity of your building. What’s more, they will mercilessly eat the plants in your garden until there’s nothing left, and their burrows in the garden will destroy the root system of plants. With these destructive capabilities on their resume, it’s no surprise groundhogs are a constant source of frustration to homeowners, who quickly discover a need for groundhog control.  

At District Wildlife Solutions, we have helped thousands of businesses and homeowners bring an end to their groundhog infestation problems with our professional groundhog removal services. In this post, we’ll explore some of the ways you can keep these pesky pests away from your property. 

Eliminate food supply

Although groundhogs are omnivores, most of their diet is plant-based. This makes gardens one of their primary target areas. They also eat other pests like grubs, insects, and even snails. The first step to keeping them away is to cut off easy access to food. Here are some things you should do:

  1. Avoid over-watering your lawn. Over-watering your lawn allows grubs to thrive, and in turn, attract more grubs. 
  2. Pick up fallen fruits from your garden. 
  3. If possible, fence your garden. (More on fencing later on).

Eliminate hiding spots and shelter

Although groundhogs spend a lot of their time in their burrows, from time to time, they come out in search of food. During this time, they rely on the cover of trees, shrubs, and other features to conceal their presence from external threats like predators. 

That’s why clearing off hiding spots from your property can make it less attractive to groundhogs. Here are some tips to bear in mind:

  1. Trim shrubs and bushes regularly.
  2. Remove abandoned objects from your yard.
  3. Clear off woodpiles and other rubbish in your yard. 
  4. Remove leaves and other debris on your property.
  5. Ensure that you seal all potential entry holes into your property.
  6. Make areas underneath your house inaccessible to groundhogs. 

Try repellents

Several substances can be used to repel groundhogs from your property. Examples include raw eggs, castor oil, cayenne pepper, and predator urine, among many others. Apply any of this repellent around the vicinity of your property and into their den. In most instances, these repellents cause enough discomfort to deter groundhogs from residing in your yard. One quick note on repellents. Because repellents quickly wear off with time, they need to be constantly re-applied. 

Traps

Let’s face it, some groundhogs will continue to remain a nuisance regardless of what you do. If that’s the case, then adding groundhog trapping and relocation to your strategy are your best bets. Because groundhogs build a complex network of tunnels, trapping them can be challenging. That’s why involving professional wildlife companies like District Wildlife Solutions is usually the way to go. 

But in general, here’s how groundhog trapping works: Place the trap 5 feet away from the main entrance of the groundhog’s burrow. Bait the groundhog trap with peas, lettuce, cantaloupe, sweetcorn, or string beans. Once you catch the animal, relocate it to at least 10 miles from the capture site. 

Fencing

Although an expensive option, fencing is very effective for keeping woodchucks away. However, groundhogs are skilled climbers and diggers, so building an effective fence can be tricky. But here are some things to keep in mind while planning your fence:

  • Ensure that the strong wire fence is at least 3 to 4 feet above the ground.
  • Create an outward angle at the top of the fence to make it difficult to climb. 
  • But, most importantly, the fence should extend at least 1 foot into the ground. Ensure that the fence is carved in the shape “L” underground as it makes it impossible for groundhogs to dig under. 

Conclusion

From weakening the foundation of buildings, destruction wreaked upon gardens, or the landscape disfigurement they cause, groundhogs are highly destructive pests. If you would like professional help dealing with any groundhog infestation, groundhog removal, or groundhog control needs, contact us today at District Wildlife Solutions.