No More Groundhogs Under Shed

Have there been animals digging under your shed lately?

Did you even go so far as to trap them last year and have new ones move back in this year?

If so, you are not alone.

For example, the woodchuck to the right was captured recently as it came out of a big hole it had created under a homeowner’s shed.

For the homeowner, it seemed like the same story over again (a la the movie Groundhog Day) because the same thing happened last year.

But not next year!! Why? Because this savvy homeowner has had enough and called Frontline Animal Removal to keep woodchucks and other animals from getting under the shed permanently.

This was accomplished by installing a tough wire barrier all around the base of the shed.

Keeping Digging Animals Out

Animals like opossums, skunks, and groundhogs are cavity dwellers; they live in holes.

When around our man-made structures, these animals often make good use of the opportunities we give them utilizing our decks, sheds, etc.

Once the hole is dug next to or under one of our structures, groundhogs and other animals have plenty of the stability and security they seek when they choose den sites.

A groundhog that has a cozy den under your shed (and perhaps some good food nearby) is indeed a happy groundhog!

Good spots see groundhog use year after year. And, even if the current year’s woodchucks are removed, the problems seem to keep coming back.

How can this prevented?

Prevention for Digging Animals

Rather than trap new offenders year after year, we recommend prevention of these diggers through foundation exclusion. Yes, we can animal-proof buildings from digging animals.

Simply put, we place a durable wire mesh down all along the foundation.

An animal may try to dig under the deck or shed, but it soon meets the resistance of the wire, gives up, and moves on.

This method is the gold standard of the prevention of den diggers like groundhogs and skunks.

It is not extremely complicated; just a little labor intensive.

The first step is to excavate down and out about a foot each way.

This excavation enables us to place wire bent at a ninety degree angle along the foundation. As stated above, any digging will only be met with wire. The animal will move on.

As you can see from the pictures, the digging process does entail movement of large amount of dirt. We take care to make as little an impact as possible.

But, it is a process. Tarps are used. Mulch gets moved if necessary. Sometimes plants need relocated. Often, new grass needs planted if the sod cannot be replaced.

The bottom line is that we take care to be as neat as possible and get the woodchuck-free result that is promised.

A lot depends on the size of the structure being excluded and the soil consistency, but most exclusions can be accomplished in a day to further lessen the impact.

Woodchuck Removal Too | Akron, Canton, Kent

Of course, removal of the offending animals is accomplished in conjunction with the exclusion work.

Though the groundhog wouldn’t be able to get back under “its” shed, it is best practice to remove any animals that are currently living under the structure excluded.