(330) 437-5795
When most people think about groundhogs, they picture a furry animal standing upright in a field or nibbling on garden plants. While groundhogs can certainly damage landscaping and gardens, some of the most serious problems they create happen underground where homeowners cannot easily see them.
This week, Ryan from Frontline Animal Removal is called to a home where a groundhog has been actively tunneling alongside the foundation. At first glance, the most noticeable problem is the large amount of dirt piled up against the house. The mounds are unsightly and look out of place, but they also tell an important story about what is happening beneath the surface.
What the Dirt Mounds Reveal
Groundhogs are excellent diggers. Every tunnel they create requires them to move soil somewhere, and that soil usually ends up piled near the entrance to the burrow.
At this particular home, the amount of dirt brought to the surface is impressive. Some of the piles are nearly two feet deep. When you see this much displaced soil, it often indicates that the tunnel system extends much farther than what is visible from the entrance.
The larger the dirt pile, the larger the excavation project taking place underground.
In this case, the evidence suggests that the tunnel travels beneath a concrete patio area and extends under a section of pavers near a set of steps. The homeowner may only see the dirt on the surface, but the real concern lies underneath.
Why Tunneling Under Concrete Is a Problem
Groundhogs naturally seek shelter beneath structures because these locations provide protection from predators and weather. Unfortunately, what is convenient for a groundhog can become expensive for a homeowner.
Concrete patios, walkways, steps, and slabs rely on stable, compacted soil beneath them for support. When a groundhog removes that soil, it creates empty spaces known as voids.
Over time, these voids can lead to several problems:
- Concrete settling
- Cracked slabs
- Uneven walkways
- Shifting pavers
- Tripping hazards
- Structural damage to steps and patios
During this inspection, Ryan notices that several pavers move noticeably when stepped on. This is often a warning sign that the soil supporting them has been disturbed or removed.
When enough material is excavated, the surface above can begin to sink. In severe cases, portions of a walkway, patio, or step can collapse unexpectedly.
Long Tunnels Mean Bigger Risks
One detail that stands out on this job is the apparent length of the tunnel system.
Based on the location of the entrances and the amount of displaced soil, it appears the groundhog may have tunneled from one side of the porch area all the way to another entrance near a doorway and set of steps. That represents a significant underground network.
Long tunnels create larger voids beneath structures and increase the chances of settlement issues developing over time.
Many homeowners assume a groundhog burrow is simply a short tunnel leading to a small chamber. In reality, groundhog tunnel systems can be surprisingly extensive, with multiple entrances, turns, nesting chambers, and escape routes.
The longer a groundhog is allowed to remain on the property, the more excavation work it performs.
Why Early Action Matters
One of the most common things we see is homeowners waiting too long to address a groundhog problem.
A single burrow entrance may not seem like a major issue initially. However, groundhogs continue expanding their tunnel systems as time passes. What starts as a small hole can eventually undermine patios, retaining walls, steps, sheds, driveways, and foundations.
The sooner a groundhog is removed, the less damage it typically causes.
Once the animal is gone, the tunnel system can be properly addressed before settlement and structural issues become more severe.
How We Remove Groundhogs
At Frontline Animal Removal, we specialize in safely and effectively removing nuisance groundhogs throughout Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties.
Groundhog removal is most successful when traps are placed strategically based on the animal’s travel patterns and burrow locations. If you’d like to learn more about the methods we use, check out our guide:
How We Catch Groundhogs: https://frontlineanimalremoval.com/groundhogs-the-easy-way
This article explains the techniques we use to consistently solve groundhog problems for homeowners throughout the Canton, Akron, and Kent areas.
Need Help With a Groundhog Problem?
If you notice large dirt mounds, burrow entrances near your foundation, shifting pavers, or signs that a groundhog is tunneling beneath your property, it is best to address the issue before more damage occurs.
Frontline Animal Removal provides professional groundhog trapping, wildlife removal, and repair services throughout the Canton, Akron, and Kent Ohio areas. We help homeowners in Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties remove nuisance wildlife and repair the damage they leave behind.
The dirt pile may be the first thing you notice, but what is happening underground is often the bigger concern.