Virginia Wildlife Pros is your premier leader in groundhog removal and control in Richmond, Virginia and its surrounding counties. We combine our acute industry knowledge with scientifically proven strategies and cutting edge technologies to quickly capture groundhogs without disturbing the localized landscape. As leading groundhog trappers in Richmond, we are fully licensed and insured, retain years of hands-on experience, and even continue to further our education by attending all current and advanced training courses for animal removal and pest control. In fact, our qualifications and credentials far exceed the state’s mandatory requirements set forth for wildlife trapping and control professionals.

We operate our business in accordance with all local, state, and EPA regulations that govern wildlife. With the addition of a Satisfaction Guarantee on all our services, you can feel confident that we are the right choice for woodchuck removal in Richmond, Virginia. So, whether you have a groundhog in the crawlspace, a groundhog underneath the porch, or a groundhog digging up your yard, we have the economical and humane solutions for any type of woodchuck problem.

From groundhog trapping and removal to groundhog control, animal damage repair, and infestation cleanup, we are your single source for all woodchuck abatement needs. Contact us at 804-292-0156 to learn more about residential and commercial groundhog control in Richmond, Virginia. Our woodchuck trappers serve all of Henrico County, as well as Midlothian, Charlottesville, Glen Allen, and Mechanicsville, Virginia.

Groundhog Damages and Threats

Groundhogs (Marmota Momax) are large ground squirrels, or marmots. Also known as woodchucks and whistle pigs, groundhogs typically live in woodland and grassland areas where they like to dig intricate underground tunnel systems to house themselves and their prospective young. This primitive behavior pattern, as you can imagine, can cause all sorts of problems if it crosses over into our territories. In addition to being enthusiastic burrowers, they are also excellent climbers. Combined, this makes them a top nuisance animal in Virginia.

Groundhogs are highly destructive to edifices, landscapes, foundations, pools, decks, patios, driveways, pavements, ponds, embankments, waterways, dams, underground utilities, and more. They can actually cause these structures to fail or collapse, which can pose devastating consequences in terms of health, safety, and cost. Not only do they ceaselessly dig and burrow, but woodchucks also love fruits and vegetables, so they regularly pillage gardens, farms, orchards, nurseries, crop fields, ornamental shrubs, and fruit trees for all the pasturage and blooms they can get their hands on. But their destruction doesn’t stop there; because they have a need to keep their long claws and incisor teeth filed down each week, they persistently gnaw and scratch at tree trunks, plus chew up underground utility lines, electrical wires, power cables, and even automotive fuel and vacuum hoses in vehicles.

Do you have horses or livestock? Groundhogs dig a lot of holes, which can lead to falls, broken bones, and several other types of injuries. Horses and cows are particularly known to break their legs after falling into a woodchuck hole. Soil mounds piled up at the entrances of groundhog burrows create hazards and challenges for riders and farm equipment as well.

All of these nuisance groundhog habits generate costly damages to home and property owners, plus impose a long list of difficulties for the surrounding community and municipality as a whole. If you notice signs of groundhog activity, such as chewed tree bark, claw marks on trees, missing crops, and excavated dirt piles around the yard, take action soon before the damages can get worse. Our Richmond VA groundhog trappers can help you get rid of groundhogs safely and as quickly as possible. Contact us now for a free phone quote and explanation of our services.

Groundhog Trapping and Prevention

Needless to say, you don’t really want a groundhog problem on your Richmond, Virginia property. If you are dealing with nuisance groundhogs, now is the right time to make your move. The longer you wait to address a groundhog infestation, the more damage they will do, which leads to more costly and invasive repairs. Groundhogs are known to get inside crawlspaces and destroy HVAC systems, insulation, electrical wiring, and more. They are also known to access homes and buildings through broken vent, covers, holes in foundations, and even chimneys. It is important that your property is adequately repaired and secured so that it is protected against woodchuck intrusions and tampering. Our Richmond VA woodchuck trappers know exactly how to get rid of groundhogs, safely and efficiently.

Here at Virginia Wildlife Pros, we use industry best practices for groundhog trapping, using state-of-the-art traps and science-backed methodologies. We know how to locate their burrow, where to place the traps, which baits and lures to set, and much more. Following groundhog removal, our wildlife control operators can outfit your property with comprehensive exterior animal-proofing installations like vent guards, vent covers, chimney caps, fencing, metal barriers, caulking, and sealant. We may also suggest specific environmental modifications, such as underbrush removal, yard cleanup, woodpile cleanup, tree clearance, and grass cutting.

You can trust us for full-service groundhog trapping, removal, and prevention in Richmond, Virginia, year-round. We also provide infestation cleanup and limited repairs for animal damages caused by groundhogs. Contact us at 804-292-0156 to speak with a licensed wildlife control operator about getting rid of groundhogs in Richmond, VA and its surrounding towns, including Henrico, Charlottesville, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen, and Midlothian.

Groundhogs are skilled at digging and burrowing deep into the earth. Their tunnel systems can extend between 25 and 30 feet, and up to 5 feet deep. There are usually multiple entrances, with one primary entry point and one or two escape points. Within their tunnels they build a nesting chamber where they sleep, eat, and raise their young, known as chucklings. Groundhogs are primarily herbivorous, mostly dining on soybeans, alfalfa, peas, carrot tops, dandelions, coltsfoot, grasses, vegetables, fruits, agricultural crops, and similar vegetation. They particularly love fruit and vegetables, which is why they are often a nuisance to gardeners and farmers. On occasion they will eat small animals and insects, like grasshoppers, snails, grubs, and sometimes baby birds. Many people confuse groundhogs for gophers and vice versa because they both burrow and dig tunnels. But groundhogs and gophers are two entirely different species. In fact, Virginia does not have gophers, which are related to species like prairie dogs. If you have tunnels in your yard in Virginia, it is likely due to woodchucks, raccoons, rodents, skunks, squirrels, voles, or moles. Repellents can work well in certain types of nuisance groundhog situations. Never use poison or pesticides, as these are against the law and extremely dangerous to the surrounding environment. You can make your own repellent using a spray bottle of water and natural ingredients that can sometimes trick groundhogs or thwart their interest in your property, however, most repellents and effigies are ultimately unsuccessful. Ingredients like capsaicin oil, garlic, cayenne pepper, and a combination of herbs turn groundhogs off. Things like coyote urine, bobcat urine, or putrescent egg tricks groundhogs into thinking there is nearby predator. Just be sure to keep children and pets away from any treated areas! You can spray the perimeter of your garden with the non-toxic groundhog repellent described before, or you can plant certain herbs around your garden that groundhogs hate, like oregano, rosemary, lemon balm, mint, and basil. If you have a large garden or nursery, you can choose to install a fence, but it must be high enough and deep enough to keep groundhogs and other burrowing critters out. Contact us for advice on the recommended dimension for animal-proof fencing.

When you need wildlife removal and critter control for groundhogs in Richmond, Virginia, we have your back. Contact us at 804-292-0156 to learn how to get started with a groundhog removal and trapping plan for your residential, commercial, or municipal property. We serve all of Central Virginia and its surrounding counties with groundhog control service, including Albemarle County, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, and Henrico County.