Professional Groundhog Exterminator Services in Spring

Expert Groundhog Pest Control Near Me in Lancaster County

If you’re noticing large holes near your shed, deck, or foundation, you probably need professional groundhog removal services. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, become active in the spring, digging extensive tunneling systems that can damage lawns and compromise your home’s foundation. While they may seem harmless, an established groundhog can result in costly property repairs. If you are searching for a groundhog exterminator near me, it’s important to choose an experienced technician who focuses on physical removal and long-term exclusion.

Why Groundhogs Choose Your Property

Groundhogs are burrowing rodents that seek out sheltered areas to build underground dens. Residential properties provide ideal conditions, especially under sheds, decks, porches, and concrete slabs, where soil is protected and easy to excavate. A single groundhog can create a tunnel network stretching 20 to 40 feet with multiple entrances! Over time, tunneling can weaken support posts, compromise foundations, and create uneven areas in your yard. Spring is the busiest season for groundhogs as they emerge from hibernation to prepare nesting sites.

Signs You Need Groundhog Removal Services

Groundhog infestations are usually identifiable by the size and location of the burrow openings. Holes are typically eight to twelve inches wide and surrounded by mounds of displaced soil. You may also notice chewed lattice, wooden siding, or flattened grass leading towards your home’s structure. If a burrow is located under a foundation or structural footing, professional groundhog pest control is strongly recommended. Attempting to collapse tunnels without proper trapping can cause the animal to dig deeper or relocate further beneath your property.

The Risks of Ignoring a Groundhog Problem

Left untreated, a groundhog’s digging leads to structural instability under decks and sheds, as well as soil erosion and sinkholes near foundations. These burrow systems also invite re-entry by other burrowing wildlife once the original animal leaves. Because the damage becomes more expensive the longer a burrow system remains active, addressing the problem early is the most cost-effective solution for homeowners.

Why Professional Removal Outperforms DIY

Homeowners often try repellents, smoke bombs, or flooding tunnels, but these temporary fixes rarely solve the problem long-term. Effective groundhog removal services include humane trapping performed in accordance with Pennsylvania wildlife regulations, outlined by the Pennsylvania State Game Commission and the NWCOA. It also includes a thorough inspection, identifying all active burrow entrances. Once the animal is removed, the process continues with the installation of underground exclusion barriers. Without heavy-duty fencing installed, a new groundhog can quickly move into the existing tunnel system.

Your Local Groundhog Exterminator in Lancaster County

Backyard Wildlife Solutions provides professional groundhog extermination services throughout Lancaster County. We don’t just remove the critter; we ensure they don’t come back. Once the groundhog is removed, we reinforce vulnerable areas like decks and sheds with professional-grade exclusion fencing. This approach ensures long-term protection for your yard and home.

Schedule Your Service Before Damage Escalates

Groundhogs are most active from early spring through late summer. Addressing the issue early can prevent expensive structural repairs and the loss of expensive landscaping. If you suspect activity, contact Backyard Wildlife Solutions, the trusted choice for groundhog pest control in Lancaster County.

Hibernation Habits

As we progress into the colder months, it’s important to be aware of animals to look out for. Some animals will be entering hibernation and searching for warmer spots to migrate to. On the other hand, some animals do not hibernate at all.

We’ll go over common animals we see in the winter, their hibernation habits, and telltale signs to watch out for.

Opossums

To start off, opossums do not hibernate due to their low body fat content, but they do search for warm shelter. This includes venturing indoors into your attic, chimney, or crawlspace.

Opossums move around throughout the winter to avoid predators. A male opossum, fitted with a tracking device, visited over 19 different dens in 5 months according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Bats

Bats such as little brown bats and big brown bats can hibernate for more than 6 months waiting for the return of insects. They prefer caves, mines, rock crevices, attics, and chimneys. However, bats do not stay asleep the whole time. A common sign of bats in your attic includes noise or rustling. If an area gets too cold, it’ll move to a warmer area or vice versa.

Moles

While it may appear that moles have disappeared from your property, they have only burrowed further below the frozen surface during the winter. Their molehills may not be present, but as the ground thaws in the spring, the mounds will reappear.

Raccoons

Similar to the opossum, raccoons do not hibernate but search for warm dens. However, in extreme temperatures, they can sleep up to a month. Although they are usually solitary creatures, some will den in groups during the coldest days of the winter.

Squirrels

During the warmer months, squirrels gather and stash their food for the winter season because they do not enter hibernation sleep. Throughout the day, they are active outside. However, they do stay in their nests during extreme weather conditions. If you hear rustling coming from your attic during the day, squirrels may be nested in your attic!

Groundhogs

Groundhogs are one of the few critters we deal with that do hibernate from the first frost until April. The first frost usually happens between October and November, they then retreat to their burrows. The colder weather triggers a hormone that helps them sleep for the duration of winter.

Removal and Preventative Services

While winter is a less active season for animals, it is the perfect opportunity to have your home inspected and sealed prior to their reappearance in springtime. Chimney caps, vent guards, and custom screening protect their most common entry points.

If you believe animals have made their way into your home for the winter, give us a call or use our contact form for removal and remediation!

Groundhog Removal in Manheim Township

We received a phone call from a residence located in Manheim Township. She noticed several disturbances from animals in her neighborhood. Most importantly, she wanted to remove a groundhog from under her deck. While the development was still under construction, the critters were constantly on the move. The homes and burrows of the animals were frequently disturbed by workers.

Why are groundhogs a nuisance?

First and foremost, groundhogs are carriers of rabies. They are not an animal you want hanging around your home, especially with children or pets. Moreover, their burrowing habits lead to cave-ins which turn into an expensive repair. Additionally, they spend their waking hours foraging and eating a lot of greens. Foraging in combination with burrowing leaves a huge mess in your yard or garden.

The Groundhog Removal in Manheim Township

In this situation, the deck area was a perfect location for a groundhog to dig. It was only a few inches off the ground which was just enough room for the groundhog to squeeze underneath. During removal, we trapped the groundhog. To our surprise, we also caught a skunk.

After the removal process was completed, we excluded any other animals from entering the deck. We performed some light excavation and installed a heavy gauge screening system. Ultimately, this method prevents any other animals from digging around the deck opening.

If you are experiencing issues with groundhogs, skunks, or other animals, please call us or use our contact form. We offer groundhog removal and all animal control and animal removal services in Lancaster, Lebanon, Harrisburg, Camp Hill, Carlisle, Reading, York, and surrounding areas.