Silver Bullet Pest ControlGroundhog Removal in NJ: Get the Woodchuck Out From Under Your Deck or Shed
A big hole next to the shed, a mound of dirt by the back steps, and the vegetable garden chewed to the ground? That's usually a groundhog. Silver Bullet Pest Control removes groundhogs humanely and closes off the space under decks, sheds and porches so the next one doesn't move into the same burrow.
4.9 stars on Google • NJ License 90568B • Licensed by NJ Fish & Wildlife • 15+ years • Hablamos español
Text a photo of the hole and the dirt mound to 973-510-2585 — we can usually tell if it's a groundhog, skunk or rat burrow.
- ✓ Same-day appointments often available
- ✓ Licensed & insured in NJ
- ✓ Homes & businesses
- ✓ English & Español
How do you get rid of a groundhog in NJ?
Groundhog removal in NJ works best in two parts: get the groundhog out of the burrow, either with a one-way exit or by trapping, and then block the space under the deck, shed or porch with buried wire mesh so another groundhog can't dig back in. Repellents and filling the hole with dirt rarely work, because groundhogs simply dig a new entrance. Silver Bullet Pest Control is licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife and handles the removal and the prevention. Call or text 973-510-2585.
Signs you have a groundhog
A large hole with a dirt mound
The main entrance is often 10 to 12 inches across with a fan of loose soil in front, under a deck, shed, porch, stoop or along the foundation.
Garden plants eaten to the stem
Groundhogs eat lettuce, beans, squash, flowers and clover, often cutting plants down close to the ground.
Daytime sightings
Unlike most wildlife, groundhogs are active in daylight, especially early morning and late afternoon. You may see one sitting up near the hole.
Gnawed wood and dug-out soil
Chew marks on shed corners, deck posts or fences, and soil washing out from under slabs and steps.
Most burrows have more than one opening. If you've found one hole, look for a second, smaller exit hole nearby, often hidden under shrubs.
Groundhog, skunk or rat? Telling burrows apart
| Clue | Groundhog | Skunk | Norway rat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hole size | Large, roughly 10–12 inches | Smaller, about 4–6 inches | Small, about 2–4 inches |
| Dirt mound | Big fan of fresh soil in front | Little or no mound | Small piles; smooth, packed paths |
| Active | Daytime | Night | Mostly night |
| Other signs | Eaten garden plants, gnawed wood | Small cone-shaped holes in the lawn from digging grubs; musky smell | Droppings, gnawing on trash bins, runways along walls |
| Number of holes | Main hole plus one or more exits | Usually one entrance | Several holes close together |
Skunk under the porch? See skunk removal. Rat burrows by the trash or along the foundation need rat control instead.
Why a groundhog under the deck or shed is a problem
A groundhog isn't aggressive, and one in a far corner of a big yard may not bother anyone. Close to the house, it's a different story. Groundhog tunnels can run a long way underground, and all that dug-out soil has to come from somewhere:
- Undermined slabs, steps and patios. Concrete stoops, walkways and patio pavers can settle or crack when the soil underneath is hollowed out.
- Foundations and basements. Burrows along the foundation can let water collect against the wall, and soil can wash out from under footings.
- Sheds and decks. Shed floors and deck footings can shift once the ground beneath them is tunneled.
- Trips and mower damage. Holes in the lawn are easy to step in and hard on mowers.
- Gardens. A single groundhog can eat a vegetable garden in a few nights.
- Other animals. Empty groundhog burrows are often taken over by skunks, rabbits or other wildlife.
Like any wild mammal, groundhogs can carry rabies and may bite if cornered. Keep kids and pets away from the burrow, and never try to grab one.
A groundhog's year in North Jersey
Timing matters, because you don't want to seal a burrow with a groundhog, or its young, still inside.
| Season | What groundhogs are doing | What it means for removal |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter (Feb–Mar) | Coming out of hibernation; males look for mates | Burrows reopen; good time to spot new holes |
| Spring | Young are born and stay in the burrow | Careful: young may be inside — exclusion has to wait or be planned around them |
| Summer | Young leave to dig burrows of their own; feeding peaks | Most new burrows under decks and sheds show up now; prime removal season |
| Fall | Eating heavily to fatten up | Remove and block before they settle in for winter |
| Winter | Hibernating deep in the burrow | Little activity; plan the fix for spring |
How Silver Bullet removes groundhogs
Inspect the yard and burrows
We find every entrance and exit, check what's being undermined, confirm it's a groundhog and check for young before anything is closed.
Get the groundhog out
Depending on the setup, that means a one-way exit on the burrow so the groundhog leaves on its own, or trapping. We handle it in line with NJ wildlife rules.
Confirm it's empty
We check that nothing is still using the burrow before it's closed, so no animal is trapped underground.
Block it so the next one can't dig in
The open space under the deck, shed or porch is closed with heavy wire mesh buried in an L-shape at the base, so a digging groundhog hits the mesh and gives up. Holes are then filled.
The last step is what keeps you from calling again next summer. Groundhogs like the same spots their neighbors liked, and an empty burrow under an open deck gets reused. More on sealing yards and homes: animal proofing and exclusion.
DIY groundhog removal: what works and what doesn't
| Method | Does it work? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Filling the hole with dirt or rocks | Rarely | The groundhog digs out or opens a new hole a few feet away. |
| Castor oil, pepper, predator urine | Short-term at best | May push the animal to another entrance; needs constant reapplying, washes away in rain. |
| Ammonia or gasoline in the hole | No, and unsafe | Dangerous to you, your pets and the soil; not a legal or humane method. |
| Fencing the garden | Helps the garden | Works if the fence is buried and bent outward at the bottom; groundhogs dig under or climb short fences. |
| Live trap you set yourself | Risky | Trapped wildlife has to be handled according to NJ rules, and you may catch a skunk or a neighbor's cat instead. |
| Buried mesh barrier after removal | Yes | Stops future digging under decks, sheds and porches. |
Want to try the gentle approach first? Our animal repellents page and home remedies guide explain what's realistic.
What affects the cost of groundhog removal
Every yard is different, so we quote after seeing the burrows. Quotes are free. What changes the price:
- Removal method. A one-way exit or trapping, and how many visits it takes.
- Number of burrows and animals. One groundhog under a shed is simpler than several burrows around the house.
- How much needs to be blocked. The length of deck, porch or shed perimeter that gets buried mesh, and how hard the ground is to dig.
- Access. Low decks, stone walls, landscaping and tight side yards take more time.
- Repairs. Filling large tunnels, or damage to steps, slabs or skirting.
For an overview of how wildlife jobs are priced, see wildlife removal cost. Call or text 973-510-2585 with a photo of the hole for a free quote. Same-day visits are often available in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Related pages
Get a Free Groundhog Removal Quote
Send a photo of the hole and tell us where it is — deck, shed, porch, foundation or garden. We'll give you a free quote and a plan.
Why homeowners call us for groundhogs
- A big hole and dirt mound under the deck or shed
- Steps, patio or walkway starting to sink
- The garden eaten down overnight
- A burrow right against the foundation
- Want it gone and blocked so it doesn't come back
Request Service
🔒 Your info stays private · Hablamos español.
Groundhog Removal Questions
What's the best way to get rid of a groundhog under my deck?
Get the groundhog out with a one-way exit or trapping, confirm the burrow is empty, then close the space under the deck with wire mesh buried in an L-shape at the base. Without that barrier, another groundhog usually moves into the same spot. A licensed wildlife company can do the removal and the barrier together.
Will a groundhog leave on its own?
Sometimes, but usually not if it has a good burrow under a deck or shed with food nearby. Groundhogs often use the same burrow for years, and their young dig new burrows close by. If it's undermining steps, a slab or the foundation, waiting tends to make the damage worse.
Are groundhogs dangerous?
Groundhogs aren't aggressive and usually run into the burrow when they see people. They can bite if cornered, and like any wild mammal they can carry rabies. Keep kids and pets away, don't try to catch one yourself, and call your doctor if you're bitten or scratched.
Can a groundhog damage my foundation?
It can. Tunnels along the foundation remove soil from around footings, let water pool against the wall, and can cause slabs, stoops and patios to settle or crack. A burrow right next to the house is worth dealing with quickly.
When are groundhogs most active?
During the day, especially early morning and late afternoon, from late winter through fall. They hibernate in winter. Summer is when many new burrows appear, because the young leave to dig their own.
Should I just fill in the groundhog hole?
Not while the groundhog is using it. It will dig out or open a new hole nearby, and you risk trapping an animal underground. Fill holes only after you're sure the burrow is empty, and block the area with buried mesh so it can't be dug again.
Do repellents keep groundhogs away?
Repellents like castor oil or predator urine may work for a short time but rarely move a settled groundhog, and they wash away in rain. They work best in a garden together with a buried fence, not as the fix for a burrow under the house.
Can I trap and move a groundhog myself?
We don't recommend it. NJ has rules on how trapped wildlife is handled and released, and a homemade trap often catches a skunk, opossum or pet instead. Trapping also doesn't stop the next groundhog unless the space is blocked.
Do you handle groundhogs in my town?
We're based in Garfield and serve Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. We're licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, hold NJ License 90568B and have 4.9 stars on Google. Call or text 973-510-2585 for a free quote.
¿Sacan marmotas de debajo del deck?
Sí. Sacamos la marmota de forma humana y cerramos el espacio debajo del deck, cobertizo o porche con malla enterrada. Hablamos español: llame o mande texto al 973-510-2585.
Groundhog removal near you
From our base in Garfield we handle groundhogs and other wildlife across Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B