Groundhogs—also known as woodchucks—are adorable creatures, but they can cause significant damage to your yard, garden, and home. If you notice these critters on your property, consider professional groundhog removal to address the issue. Below are a few different ways that your property can suffer if you do not relocate the animals.

What Are the Consequences of Groundhogs?

1. Burrowing

Groundhogs live in burrows beneath the soil, and they mostly travel underground to reach new areas. Their dens can be substantially large, with many connected chambers and tunnels that require them to excavate hundreds of pounds of dirt. This means a single groundhog den can destabilize everything from fencing to the foundation of your home. Look for piles of dirt next to holes in your yard. If you see multiple entrances around the property, call for groundhog removal services to check out the situation.

2. Feeding

Having a groundhog family living nearby will cause problems if you’re trying to grow a garden. These little creatures eat more than 40 different types of plants—including daisies, lettuce, trees, and carrots—so you likely have something growing that will feed them. They can also climb fruit trees and feed on leaves and stalks, meaning almost all vegetation in your yard is fair game.

3. Gnawing

Like squirrels, groundhogs’ front incisors never stop growing. This means that they must chew on hard materials to wear the teeth down. Unfortunately for your yard, these substances can be fence posts, wood decks or patios, tree bark, and new saplings. Not only does this cause expensive damage to your outdoor hardscaping and vegetation, but it also decreases the aesthetic appeal of the property. This impacts your home’s resale value if you decide to move, and can turn some buyers away completely.

For reliable groundhog removal, contact the professionals at A.S.A.P. Critter People in Cincinnati, OH. They are family-owned and -operated, and provide quality, experienced wildlife removal when you need it most. They serve Hamilton, Butler, Warren, and Clermont County, helping to remove squirrels, snakes, groundhogs, and more. Visit them online for more information about their services. Call (513) 941-0258 to schedule an appointment.