Wildlife Removal Photo Album: Keeping Groundhogs Out of Brielle, NJ Shed
Shed before
Groundhogs (also called woodchucks, whistle-pigs, and land-beavers) are a type of burrowing rodent, specifically, ground squirrels known as marmots. For homeowners, they are one of the most damaging pests that can invade your yard. Besides wrecking havoc on your lawn from their burrowing activity, these animals have voracious appetites. Groundhogs will feed on just about any flower, fruit, vegetable, or plant that's been planted on your property. Groundhogs can also damage your home's foundation if their burrowing activity is adjacent to your home.
Groundhog entry point
I measured out the perimeter of his shed and explained to the homeowner that this exclusion would be a much more valuable investment that paying for solitary trapping year after year. To trap the groundhogs under the shed, I used Dig DeFence as a trapping aid. You can see their entry point at the front left corner of the shed used by the groundhogs for access. I installed the underground fencing around the entire perimeter, leaving one space open so the animals would automatically be funneled towards my multi-catch trap that was secured to the remaining opening. With nowhere else to go, trapping the animals was a virtual certainty. Sure enough, the following morning, we trapped the trespassing groundhog for relocation. Now, the remaining area could be sealed off. With the entire perimeter now blocked, this groundhog refuge underneath the shed is permanently closed for business!
Dig defense installed
Homeowners who live in wooded areas should expect periodic encounters with nuisance wildlife. It comes with the territory when you are living with nature. However, Dig Defense underground fencing can at least prevent one recurring problem: Groundhogs and other burrowing animals seeking shelter under sheds, decks, and patios. With this fencing, this homeowner will no longer have to worry about damage to his shed. Also, with this harborage area blocked, these animals will likely choose a more hospitable property to invade.
Trapped groundhog
The homeowner initially wanted me to just trap and relocate the trespassing groundhogs. Because this has been an ongoing yearly problem for him, I explained that the area under the shed was a magnet for these rodents, and that he would be far better off with a permanent solution. I recommended an exclusion with "Dig Defense," an underground fencing system. It is a trenchless underground permanent barrier made of heavy galvanized steel. It's far better than burying hardware cloth, which quickly degrades underground, or repeatedly setting up traps year after year. Dig Defense works around foundations, decks, sheds, yards, and other locations where groundhogs and other burrowing animals have been a nuisance. For pet owners, this product is of great help as well. It keeps your dogs from escaping and, for those with next-door neighbor dogs, it prevents them from digging a big hole underneath your above-ground fencing to meet each other. However, as a wildlife technician, I've used Dig Defense as a permanent solution to prevent burrowing wildlife from entering your property. It does a great job keeping out skunks, opossums, raccoons, porcupines, and, of course, groundhogs.