How to deter groundhogs and get rid of them safely
Direct answer
The most reliable way to deter groundhogs is physical exclusion + habitat cleanup. In practice that means blocking access under decks/sheds with buried hardware cloth, using fencing that also goes below ground (or an outward L-footer), and reducing food/cover. Repellents alone are usually temporary, especially once a groundhog has an established burrow.
Quick decision table
| Your situation | Best next move | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You see occasional groundhog visits, no established burrow yet | Habitat cleanup + fencing/sprinklers | Early pressure can prevent a move-in |
| Active burrow in open yard away from structures | Confirm activity, then removal/exclusion, then fill/compact | Established burrows resist scare tactics |
| Burrow under deck/shed/steps/patio | Professional wildlife control + exclusion mesh | Harder to confirm exit; higher risk of damage |
| Repeated returns after DIY deterrents | Upgrade to physical exclusion (mesh/fence) or pro removal | Smells/ultrasonic rarely solve root cause |
Why groundhogs stay
- Safe shelter: burrows offer protection from predators and weather.
- Food nearby: gardens, clover lawns, ornamental plants, fallen fruit, compost.
- Low disturbance: quiet corners, brush piles, under-deck space.
- Established tunnels: once a burrow is built, deterrents often become background noise.
What to do (safe order)
- Confirm activity: smooth dirt at entrances and check for fresh digging within 24 to 48 hours.
- Do not seal an active burrow: avoid trapping an animal inside or causing odor issues.
- Remove or exclude: once the animal is out (or removed), block re-entry with heavy-gauge mesh.
- Backfill and compact: add soil in layers and compact to reduce future settling.
- Reduce attractants: fence gardens, remove cover, and manage food sources.
Most effective deterrents
- Exclusion under decks/sheds: hardware cloth or welded wire, buried 10 to 12 inches, plus an outward L-footer.
- Garden fencing done right: strong mesh, buried 12+ inches (or L-footer), seams secured, bottom tight to ground.
- Habitat cleanup: remove brush piles, mow tall weeds, trim shrubs away from foundation edges.
- Motion-activated sprinklers: best for early pressure; reposition occasionally to avoid pattern learning.
Common mistakes
- Using smell deterrents as the main strategy (they fade; animals return).
- Installing a fence without burying it (groundhogs dig underneath).
- Sealing holes immediately without confirming the burrow is inactive.
- Leaving easy food sources (unprotected gardens, fallen fruit, unsecured compost).
- Skipping compaction when filling holes (settling creates new low spots and attracts digging).
FAQ
Do mothballs or ammonia repel groundhogs?
They are unreliable and usually short-lived. Odors fade and animals often return, and some substances can be unsafe around kids, pets, and gardens. Physical exclusion tends to work better than smell-based methods.
Do ultrasonic repellent stakes work?
Most people do not get consistent long-term results. Groundhogs may adapt, and soil conditions can reduce effective range. If you try them, treat it as a supplemental tool, not the main solution.
Should I fill a groundhog hole to make it go away?
Do not seal an active burrow with an animal inside. Confirm it is inactive first or handle removal/exclusion, then backfill and compact properly. Sealing too early can create odor problems and can push the animal to create new exits.
What is the best way to stop groundhogs from coming back?
Exclude access to protected spaces (under decks/sheds) using buried hardware cloth, fix the dig-under problem with a buried fence or outward L-footer, and reduce food/cover. Long-term prevention is mostly about making the site inconvenient.
Related pages
- How to deter groundhogs and get rid of them safelyA practical, step-by-step guide to deterring groundhogs, preventing burrows, and knowing when removal or a pro is the best option.
- Do mothballs, ammonia, or ultrasonic repellents work for groundhogs?Do mothballs, ammonia, and ultrasonic devices actually work for groundhogs? Learn why these repellents usually fail, what can be risky, and what works instead (exclusion + proper backfill).
- How deep are groundhog burrows and what damage can they cause?Learn typical groundhog burrow depth and tunnel layout, the kinds of damage they cause near decks/sheds/foundations, and the safest order to fix the problem.
- How to Find and Safely Fill Groundhog BurrowsLearn how to locate all groundhog burrow entrances, confirm activity, and fill tunnels correctly to prevent collapse, odors, and repeat digging.
- How to install an L-footer hardware cloth barrier to stop groundhogsA step-by-step guide to installing an L-footer (buried hardware cloth) to prevent groundhogs from digging under decks, sheds, and fences—plus common mistakes to avoid.
Sources and assumptions
- General wildlife control best practices: confirm activity, remove/exclude first, then seal and compact.
- Deterrents are most reliable when paired with exclusion and habitat changes, especially after an animal is established.
- This page is informational and not a substitute for local legal guidance on wildlife handling.