It’s hard not to think of the movie Caddy Shack when battling a groundhog on your property. Groundhog tunnels can average a total linear footage of 30-50 ft. Their holes are usually below the freeze line and average 3-5 ft deep. Groundhogs are excellent diggers and are known to excavate near structural foundations and in yards.
When groundhogs are on a property its not uncommon for homeowners to to be unaware of their presence. Unlike squirrels and raccoons, whom generally take up residence in attics alerting homeowners of their presence with their noises coming from above, groundhogs usually burrow up near foundations. Foundations offer desirable shelter. The foundation of a structure will offer a type of roof for the intricate tunnels these critters dig below. So what damage can happen when a groundhog has made your property theirs as well?
When homeowners notice a groundhog on site, it’s usually because something stops working. Sprinkler lines unexplainably stop working or pool pumps quit. They might have put the entrance for their burrow in a space that pools with water near a foundation and causes leaks. Or they’ve been seen sunbathing on a deck and quickly scrambling below when coming outside through a hole in the lattice. If a groundhog has been seen habitually on your property notating their patterns can be useful.
If you notice a ground hog on your property its not a bad idea to take a walk around the perimeter of your home, garage and porches to look for burrows. If a groundhog created a burrow you’ll notice a large pile of dirt and a cantaloupe sized hole. Contacting a wildlife control operator in a punctual manner can help mitigate and prevent damage from occurring to your property.