Groundhog Removal: Finding a Tunnel Exit in a Window Well

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are excellent diggers. When they decide that a property provides a good combination of food, shelter, and protection, they can create an extensive underground burrow system that may have more than one entrance or exit. This can make groundhog removal more interesting than simply finding one hole in the yard and putting a trap over it.

At Frontline Animal Removal, we regularly trap groundhogs throughout the Canton, Akron, and Kent area, including Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties.

One of the keys to successful groundhog trapping is understanding how the animal is using the property and identifying the different openings that connect to its tunnel system.

A recent job handled by Ryan provides a good example of why it pays to look beyond the obvious groundhog hole.

A Groundhog Tunnel Leads to a Window Well

On this particular job, Ryan finds what appears to be a typical groundhog entrance leading into the ground. However, the tunnel does not simply end there. The underground passage runs underneath the front portion of the building and continues toward a window well.

That second opening becomes an important part of the trapping setup.

Ryan places a groundhog trap at the window well, directly where the tunnel exits. Before long, the trap catches the groundhog. When Ryan examines the area, he can see the underground hole down inside the window well and the connection leading back toward the other opening.

It is a good example of how groundhog tunnels can extend farther than homeowners might expect.

The video also demonstrates something that homeowners sometimes overlook: window wells can provide an unexpected groundhog entrance or exit.

If you have recurring groundhog activity around your home, it is worth checking window wells, particularly if they are close to areas where you are already seeing burrows or fresh digging.

Groundhog Burrows Can Have Multiple Openings

Groundhogs are very capable excavators. A burrow may have a main entrance as well as one or more secondary or escape openings. These openings can be located in places that are not immediately obvious.

Groundhogs commonly dig underneath or near structures such as decks, sheds, porches, patios, and foundations. They may also establish burrows along embankments, underneath landscaping, or in other areas where the soil is easy to excavate and the animal has access to food.

The important thing for trapping is not simply finding a hole. The goal is to understand the entire burrow complex and determine how the groundhog is moving through it. Our groundhog removal services focus on trapping, removing, and excluding nuisance groundhogs from the property.

How We Trap Groundhogs

Our preferred method is to take advantage of the groundhog’s existing travel routes rather than simply placing a baited trap somewhere in the yard and hoping the animal finds it.

Once we locate an active burrow, we look for all of the entrances and exits. Fresh dirt, tracks, flattened vegetation, and other signs can help identify which holes are being used.

When appropriate, we place Comstock double-door traps directly over the active holes. These traps allow us to take advantage of the groundhog’s normal movement. Instead of trying to convince the animal to walk across the yard and enter a baited trap, we position the trap where the animal is already traveling.

Sometimes some shovel work is necessary to create a level area for the trap and align it properly with the burrow opening. We may also block an alternate opening using materials such as hardware cloth, soil, boards, stones, or other suitable materials. The purpose is to control the groundhog’s available routes and encourage it through the trap.

This approach is explained in more detail in our article, Easy Groundhog Trapping Method.

Finding Every Entrance Makes a Difference

Groundhog trapping becomes much more predictable when the animal’s movement is controlled.

If there are several holes connected to the same burrow, leaving all of them open can give the groundhog plenty of opportunities to avoid a trap. That is why we spend time identifying the different openings and determining which ones are active.

In some situations, we trap multiple openings. In others, we block secondary openings and concentrate the animal’s movement toward a trap.

The window-well job Ryan handles is a great example of this principle. The groundhog does not simply have a hole in the yard. Its tunnel extends along the building and connects to another opening at the bottom of the window well. Finding that connection gives Ryan another opportunity to intercept the animal.

Groundhog Problems Go Beyond the Hole

Groundhogs can be a nuisance for more than just the obvious digging. Their burrowing can disturb landscaping and create voids beneath structures. They also eat a wide variety of plant material and can cause significant damage to gardens and landscaping.

Once the groundhog is removed, it is important to consider why the animal was using the location in the first place and whether the property can be protected from future activity.

At Frontline Animal Removal, we don’t just think about catching the animal. When appropriate, we can also help protect areas such as sheds, porches, and decks from future groundhog activity.

Check Those Window Wells

The groundhog job Ryan handles is a good reminder that wildlife problems do not always follow the obvious path.

If you see a groundhog entering a hole near your home, don’t assume that hole is the entire story. Underground tunnels can connect different parts of the property, and a secondary opening may be located some distance away. A window well, in particular, is an area worth checking if it is located near suspected groundhog activity.

Groundhog removal starts with understanding where the animal is going. Once the entrances and exits are identified, trapping can be much more effective.

Frontline Animal Removal provides professional groundhog removal and trapping services throughout the Akron, Canton, and Kent area, including Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties. If you are dealing with a groundhog that is digging under a structure, damaging your landscaping, or creating an ongoing nuisance, we can help identify the burrow system and develop a trapping approach that fits the situation.