Why Groundhog Trapping is Critical for Your Home
If you’re noticing groundhog activity around your property in Centerburg, OH, it’s time to call in the professionals. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, may look harmless, but their burrowing habits can lead to serious structural damage to foundations, decks, and sheds. Beyond property damage, groundhogs can also carry parasites and diseases that pose risks to people and pets. Left unchecked, their rapid reproduction and destruction of vegetation can disrupt the local ecosystem. At Caudill Pest Control, our expert groundhog trapping and removal services are designed to protect your home, safeguard your health, and restore balance to your property - all with humane, effective solutions.
Groundhog Facts Every Homeowner Should Know
- Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks and are part of the marmot family.
- They can dig burrows up to 5 feet deep and 30 feet long, often near foundations, sheds, or porches.
- Groundhogs are herbivores and can quickly destroy gardens, landscaping, and crops.
- They hibernate during the winter and are most active from early spring through fall.
- A single groundhog can create multiple burrow entrances for escape and protection.
- Their burrowing can weaken soil and cause significant structural damage to buildings.
- Groundhogs may carry fleas, ticks, and other parasites, and can transmit diseases like tularemia.
Signs You Need This Service
- Large burrow openings near foundations, sheds, decks, or fences, often 8–12 inches wide with a mound of fresh dirt nearby.
- Holes appearing in the yard or along slopes, especially near brush piles, rock walls, or under structures.
- Damage to gardens, landscaping, or crops, like chewed stems, missing vegetables, or flattened plants.
- Undermining around patios, walkways, or slabs, causing sinking spots, cracks, or uneven areas.
- Groundhog sightings near the home, especially if you see the same animal regularly or notice a worn “path” to and from a den.
- Chewed wood or siding around low areas, including under decks or at the base of sheds, where they may try to expand access.
- Pets acting fixated on a specific area, barking, digging, or staring at one spot where a burrow entrance is hidden.
Our Process
At Caudill Pest Control, we follow a proven, step-by-step groundhog management process to ensure effective and humane removal, while minimizing the chances of future infestations.
Thorough Inspection
We begin with a detailed property inspection to identify active burrows, travel paths, and signs of groundhog damage. Understanding their behavior and locating nesting areas is critical for an effective removal strategy.
Strategic Trapping
Once we’ve identified key activity zones, we place professional-grade, humane traps in the most effective locations. Our technicians are trained to safely and legally handle groundhog trapping, ensuring quick and ethical removal.
Safe Removal
Captured groundhogs are removed in accordance with Ohio wildlife regulations. We take every precaution to avoid stress to the animal and eliminate risks to people, pets, and other wildlife during the process.
Damage Assessment & Prevention
After removal, we assess the extent of any property damage caused by the burrowing and feeding habits of the groundhogs. Our team will recommend and implement exclusion solutions, such as burying fencing or sealing off access points, to prevent future intrusions.
Ongoing Monitoring & Support
To give you peace of mind, we offer follow-up inspections and monitoring options as needed. If groundhogs return, we’re ready to act quickly and decisively. With Caudill Pest Control, you’re not just getting groundhog removal, you’re getting long-term protection backed by local expertise and a commitment to your property’s safety.