Appearance of Burrows
Unless they’re raising young, groundhogs live alone. Their burrows feature one main entrance hole and up to four other exits, usually located near trees, walls, or fences. Each opening is between 10 and 12 inches in diameter. As woodchuck offspring prepare to leave the nest, additional holes will appear in lawns. These “practice” holes are shallow, much smaller in diameter, and plentiful in number.
Problems Caused by Groundhog Holes
Having groundhog holes in the lawn can cost property owners a lot of money. Underground watering systems and wiring is often damaged by the pests as they burrow. Additionally, the presence of woodchuck holes makes lawn care challenging. Expensive equipment may be destroyed, and people working in the yard may be injured. Furthermore, groundhogs feed on plants and garden crops, stunting their growth.
Prevention & Control
Exclusion methods are the best way to reduce the chance of finding groundhog holes in lawns. Erecting fences can be effective as long as the fence is buried at least 12 inches into and rises about four feet above the ground. If these preventative measures don’t work and groundhog holes are still found in the lawn, contact a professional wildlife removal service. The experts at Critter Control can remove groundhogs and offer tips on preventing the pests from returning.