Groundhogs might look cute and harmless, but when one shows up in your Pennsylvania yard, you need to know how to handle the situation properly.
These furry creatures can cause serious damage to gardens, lawns, and even the foundation of your home if left unchecked.
Pennsylvania is prime groundhog territory, and homeowners across the state regularly encounter these burrowing animals, especially during spring and summer months.
Understanding what to do and what not to do when a groundhog appears can save you time, money, and frustration.
Some actions can help you peacefully coexist with or remove these animals, while others might make the problem worse or even put you at risk.
Whether you want to encourage the groundhog to leave on its own or need to take more direct action, knowing your options is essential.
This guide breaks down seven smart strategies to manage a groundhog problem and three common mistakes you should absolutely avoid.
With the right approach, you can protect your property while treating these Pennsylvania residents humanely and legally.
1. Observe From A Safe Distance
Groundhogs are wild animals, and your first instinct should be to watch them from afar rather than approach.
Pennsylvania groundhogs can weigh up to 14 pounds and have sharp claws and teeth they’ll use if they feel threatened.
Keeping at least 10 to 15 feet away gives you a chance to assess the situation without startling the animal or putting yourself in danger.
While observing, look for signs of a burrow entrance, which typically appears as a hole about 10 to 12 inches wide with a mound of dirt nearby.
Groundhogs often dig multiple entrances to their underground homes, so you might spot several holes around your Pennsylvania property.
Take note of where these openings are located, as this information will be helpful if you decide to take further action.
Watch the groundhog’s behavior to determine if it’s just passing through or has set up residence.
If you only see it once and never again, it might have been exploring.
However, if the groundhog returns regularly or you notice fresh digging, it’s likely established a home in your yard.
Understanding the animal’s patterns helps you make informed decisions about next steps.
Resist the urge to get closer for photos or videos, even if the groundhog seems calm and unbothered by your presence.
2. Remove Food Sources And Attractants
One reason groundhogs choose your Pennsylvania yard is the availability of food, so eliminating easy meals encourages them to move elsewhere.
Groundhogs are herbivores that love vegetables, fruits, flowers, and tender plants.
If you have a garden with lettuce, beans, peas, or carrots, these animals will consider it an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Start by harvesting ripe produce promptly and picking up any fallen fruit from trees.
Store garbage in secure bins with tight-fitting lids, and avoid leaving pet food outdoors.
Even bird feeders can attract groundhogs, as they’ll eat spilled seeds from the ground below.
Consider temporarily removing feeders or switching to types that minimize spillage.
Groundhogs also nibble on clover, dandelions, and other common yard weeds, which are harder to eliminate completely.
However, keeping your lawn mowed and your landscaping tidy makes your Pennsylvania property less appealing.
Overgrown areas provide cover and a sense of safety that groundhogs prefer when foraging.
Making your yard less hospitable doesn’t guarantee the groundhog will leave immediately, but it reduces the incentive to stay.
Combined with other deterrent methods, removing food sources is one of the most effective long-term strategies for groundhog management in Pennsylvania residential areas.
3. Install Physical Barriers And Fencing
Fencing is among the most reliable ways to protect your Pennsylvania garden and landscaping from groundhog damage.
These animals are skilled diggers and decent climbers, so standard fencing won’t work.
You need a barrier that extends both above and below ground to be effective.
Choose wire mesh or hardware cloth fencing at least three to four feet tall.
The critical part is burying the bottom 12 to 18 inches underground, bent outward in an L-shape to prevent the groundhog from tunneling underneath.
This underground extension stops their natural digging behavior from breaching your defenses.
Leave the top foot of fencing unattached to posts so it wobbles when a groundhog tries to climb, making it nearly impossible to scale.
For Pennsylvania homeowners with large properties, fencing your entire yard may not be practical or affordable.
Instead, focus on protecting high-value areas like vegetable gardens, flower beds, or ornamental plantings.
Raised garden beds with wire mesh bottoms also work well, preventing groundhogs from burrowing up from below.
Regularly inspect your fencing for damage or new digging attempts.
Groundhogs are persistent, and a single weak spot can give them access.
Properly installed barriers provide years of protection and peace of mind for Pennsylvania residents dealing with these determined diggers.
4. Use Natural Repellents And Deterrents
Natural repellents can make your Pennsylvania yard less inviting without harming groundhogs or the environment.
These animals have sensitive noses, and certain scents drive them away.
Commercial groundhog repellents containing predator urine (like fox or coyote) are available at garden centers, or you can try homemade solutions.
Sprinkle cayenne pepper, garlic powder, or black pepper around burrow entrances and throughout your garden.
Groundhogs dislike these strong smells and tastes, though you’ll need to reapply after rain.
Some Pennsylvania homeowners report success with ammonia-soaked rags placed near burrow openings, as the smell mimics predator urine and signals danger.
Motion-activated sprinklers are another excellent deterrent that startles groundhogs with sudden bursts of water.
These devices work day and night, and the unexpected spray teaches groundhogs to avoid your property.
They’re particularly effective in Pennsylvania yards where groundhogs have established feeding routines.
Remember that natural repellents work best as part of a comprehensive strategy rather than a standalone solution.
Combining scent deterrents with habitat modification and physical barriers increases your success rate.
Persistence is key, groundhogs may test your defenses multiple times before deciding your Pennsylvania yard isn’t worth the effort.
Rotate different repellents occasionally to prevent the animals from becoming accustomed to any single scent.
5. Fill In Burrows Properly After The Groundhog Leaves
Once you’re certain the groundhog has vacated your Pennsylvania property, filling in the burrows prevents other animals from moving in and stops the holes from becoming hazards.
Never fill burrows while a groundhog might still be inside, as this could trap the animal or its babies, especially during spring when young are present.
To check if a burrow is active, loosely fill the entrance with soil, leaves, or crumpled newspaper.
Wait 24 to 48 hours and check whether the material has been disturbed from inside.
If it remains undisturbed for several days, the burrow is likely abandoned.
Pennsylvania groundhogs typically have multiple entrances, so check all openings before proceeding.
When filling, use a mixture of dirt and gravel rather than just loose soil.
Compact the fill material firmly to discourage re-digging.
For larger burrows, you might need several wheelbarrows of material.
Some Pennsylvania homeowners place chicken wire or hardware cloth in the hole before filling to create an extra barrier.
Be thorough in your filling efforts, as partially filled burrows may cave in later, creating ankle-twisting hazards in your lawn.
Pay special attention to holes near foundations, as groundhog tunnels can extend 20 to 30 feet and potentially undermine structures.
Properly filled burrows restore your Pennsylvania yard’s appearance and safety.
6. Contact A Licensed Wildlife Control Professional
Sometimes the situation calls for expert help, especially if you’re dealing with multiple groundhogs, extensive property damage, or burrows near your Pennsylvania home’s foundation.
Licensed wildlife control professionals have the training, equipment, and legal permits to handle groundhog removal safely and humanely.
Professional trappers understand Pennsylvania’s wildlife regulations and can relocate groundhogs according to state law.
They know how to identify all burrow entrances, set traps effectively, and ensure no young animals are left behind.
Many offer guarantees and will return if groundhogs reappear within a certain timeframe.
The cost varies depending on your property size, the number of groundhogs, and the extent of damage.
Most Pennsylvania wildlife control services charge between 150 and 400 dollars for groundhog removal, with additional fees for exclusion work or repairs.
While this might seem expensive, it’s often cheaper than repairing foundation damage or repeatedly replacing destroyed gardens.
When choosing a professional, verify their license with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and ask for references.
Reputable companies will inspect your property, explain their methods, and provide written estimates.
They can also offer advice on preventing future groundhog problems.
For Pennsylvania homeowners who are uncomfortable handling wildlife or have tried other methods without success, professional assistance is a smart investment.
7. Plant Groundhog-Resistant Vegetation
Strategic landscaping can make your Pennsylvania yard naturally less attractive to groundhogs without constant maintenance.
While these animals eat many plants, they tend to avoid certain species with strong scents, fuzzy leaves, or bitter tastes.
Incorporating these into your landscape design provides long-term protection.
Groundhogs typically steer clear of daffodils, marigolds, snapdragons, and lavender.
Herbs like rosemary, sage, oregano, and thyme also repel them with their aromatic oils.
Pennsylvania gardeners can create borders of these plants around more vulnerable vegetables and flowers, forming a natural protective barrier.
Ornamental onions, garlic chives, and society garlic work similarly.
For shrubs and larger plants, consider boxwood, spirea, juniper, and barberry, all generally ignored by groundhogs.
These work well as foundation plantings or hedges in Pennsylvania landscapes.
Crown imperial fritillaria bulbs emit a skunky odor that groundhogs find particularly offensive, making them excellent perimeter plants.
Keep in mind that truly hungry groundhogs might sample even resistant plants, especially in early spring when food is scarce.
However, they’ll usually move on to easier meals elsewhere.
Combining resistant plantings with other deterrent methods creates multiple layers of defense.
Pennsylvania residents who redesign their landscaping with groundhog resistance in mind often see dramatic reductions in damage over time.
8. Don’t Attempt To Handle Or Touch The Groundhog
No matter how calm or cute a groundhog appears, never try to pick it up, pet it, or corner it in your Pennsylvania yard.
Wild animals are unpredictable, and groundhogs can bite, scratch, and carry diseases including rabies.
Pennsylvania reports dozens of rabies cases in wildlife annually, and groundhogs are among the species that can transmit this serious virus.
Groundhogs have powerful jaws and sharp incisors designed for gnawing through tough vegetation and wood.
If threatened or grabbed, they won’t hesitate to defend themselves aggressively.
Their bites can cause deep puncture wounds requiring medical attention, stitches, and potentially rabies post-exposure treatment.
Even a small groundhog can inflict significant injury when frightened.
Children are especially at risk because they may not understand the danger and might approach a groundhog out of curiosity.
Teach kids to admire wildlife from a distance and immediately tell an adult if they spot a groundhog in your Pennsylvania yard.
Never allow pets to chase or confront groundhogs either, as this can lead to injuries for both animals.
If you find an injured or sick-looking groundhog, contact your local Pennsylvania Game Commission office or a wildlife rehabilitator rather than attempting rescue yourself.
Professionals have the proper equipment and vaccinations to handle potentially dangerous situations safely.
Respecting wildlife boundaries protects both you and the animal.
9. Don’t Use Harmful Chemicals Or Poisons
Pennsylvania law restricts the use of poisons for groundhog control, and for good reason—these methods are inhumane, dangerous, and often ineffective.
Toxic baits can cause prolonged suffering, and poisoned groundhogs may retreat into their burrows, creating sanitation problems and foul odors in your yard.
There are far better approaches for Pennsylvania homeowners.
Poisons also pose serious risks to non-target animals.
Pets, children, and wildlife like birds, squirrels, or beneficial predators might accidentally consume toxic baits.
Secondary poisoning occurs when predators eat poisoned groundhogs, spreading the toxins through the ecosystem.
Pennsylvania’s hawks, owls, foxes, and domestic animals all face danger when poisons enter the environment.
Similarly, avoid using gasoline, bleach, or other household chemicals to flush groundhogs from burrows.
These substances contaminate soil and groundwater, create fire hazards, and rarely work as intended.
Groundhogs have multiple escape routes, and you’re more likely to damage your Pennsylvania property than solve the problem.
Smoke bombs specifically designed for burrowing animals are legal in Pennsylvania and somewhat more humane, but even these should be used carefully according to label directions.
Better options include the humane deterrents and exclusion methods described earlier.
If you feel the situation requires lethal control, consult a licensed Pennsylvania wildlife professional who follows legal and ethical standards rather than taking matters into your own hands with dangerous substances.
10. Don’t Ignore Structural Damage Or Foundation Concerns
Groundhog burrows aren’t just unsightly, they can seriously compromise your Pennsylvania home’s structural integrity if located near foundations, patios, or retaining walls.
Each burrow system includes tunnels that may extend 20 to 30 feet underground, and a single groundhog can move up to 700 pounds of dirt while digging.
This extensive excavation can undermine concrete slabs and footings.
If you notice burrow entrances within 10 feet of your foundation, take the situation seriously rather than hoping it will resolve itself.
Tunnels beneath foundations can create voids that lead to cracks, settling, and expensive structural repairs.
Pennsylvania experiences freeze-thaw cycles that worsen these problems, as water enters cracks and expands when frozen.
Look for warning signs like new cracks in foundation walls, uneven floors, sticking doors or windows, or gaps between walls and ceilings.
These symptoms might indicate that groundhog activity has compromised your home’s support.
Basement flooding can also occur when burrows create pathways for water to flow toward your foundation during Pennsylvania’s heavy rains.
Address structural concerns immediately by consulting both a wildlife control expert and a foundation specialist if needed.
The wildlife professional can remove the groundhogs and fill the burrows, while a structural engineer can assess damage and recommend repairs.
Ignoring these issues saves money in the short term but can lead to repair bills running into thousands of dollars later.
Pennsylvania homeowners should treat foundation-threatening groundhog activity as an urgent priority.