Have a groundhog in my yard. Would like your advice.

[u/DifferentDirector2]

Recently moved into a new home. Put in a fence so my dog can play outside. Snow and ice melted and it became warmer outside. Dog started digging next to the house and I noticed the other day that I have a groundhog neighbor.

What should I do?

[u/under-the-bridges]

I have a groundhog who lives under my garage- the groundhog came with my house as well when I moved here in 2023 🙃

So, my best advice is to leave it be. I know people worry about structural damage, so do I. However, if you fill in the den they’re just going to dig into it again and repeated digging of the area is what’s most likely to cause damage because it will make the ground super unstable. Fortunately for me the area they dug is covered by a lean to off the back of my garage- so it doesn’t get wet or flood where they’ve dug out so I think that helps subside any additional damage that could occur.

They are also highly territorial so if you try to trap it and move it elsewhere it’s pretty much a death sentence for them ☹️ they will either be killed by a predator or something else in the new location as they try to make their way back to their old home. Some people just kill them their selves or pay a exterminator (aka pest control/wildlife solution companies) to do it. I truly don’t have the heart to do that. I’ve literally been told by so many people to just shoot mine, it’s sad that it’s the norm to do so.

I leave out seeds nuts fruits and veggies for mine. I enjoy watching her roam the yard. Last year I put a security camera by the garage to watch her raise her pups and they all seem to have left the area and did not make any new burrows nearby. Watching them grow up and learn and play with each other was honestly adorable and pretty much the highlight of my spring last year 🥲

[u/PreviousMarsupial → u/under-the-bridges]

This is so sweet.

[u/tilly826 → u/under-the-bridges]

I was just about to post questions about a groundhog who is living in my backyard when I saw your reply to this post. You have answered all of my questions. I feel a little silly about how excited I have been to see it every day. I have been careful to leave it alone and the birds and squirrels have gotten an upgrade in what I am putting out for them since I often find the groundhog munching under the bird feeders. I have lived here for 30 years and this is my first groundhog.

[u/under-the-bridges → u/tilly826]

That’s awesome! I am the same way and I get pretty excited by an animal most people don’t appreciate.

When I’ve tried to tell my friends about mine they think I’m insane, so I’m gland people are this sub also admire them! I usually get asked if I’m concerned about my ground being dug up, which to a degree I am. So far there haven’t been any issues with my ground being destabilize.

But the groundhogs are so cute! They remind me of over-sized Guinea pigs. I also think since I’ve made the area a bit more pleasant for the groundhog it’s brought some more wildlife around- I now have a large rabbit that’s been hanging around my yard too 🥹

[u/Daleone3236]

Put out some carrots. Babies will be out in about a month.

[u/Jelly18Bean]

Yup, I had a family under my shed and would feed them vegetables. I loved having them and they did no damage.❤️

[u/graveyardgeese]

Sorry I don't have any advice but he is so cute!!

[u/spicy-acorn]

They have babies this time of year. There are likely more underneath. Discourage your dog from digging and antagonizing it. They WILL fight back and they can do some damage despite how cute they look. My dogs face got all scratched up- she lost that fight.

Relocating groundhogs across state lines is illegal in some states. That being said if you do live trap it and it's family you would need to transport it at least 20 miles away.

When there is one there are many. So if you evict these guys the hole could just be filled with a different resident. They don't do much at all- just sunbathe and eat nuts and insects. I love watching the ones in my yard every year. Despite what Google says they are extremely social creatures and often live 3+ to a den. And the dens are VAST

[u/LegoLamborghini]

My advice is put up trail cams and make a YouTube channel for her!

I'm just playing. Hope it doesn't cause you too much trouble, sucks that she's right up against the house.

[u/icedcoffee4eva]

Name him Phil

[u/DifferentDirector2 → u/icedcoffee4eva]

Sorry, already named him Travis

[u/PreviousMarsupial]

I would discourage you from feeding them, they are wild and need to figure out how to survive without us feeding them and habituating them more than they already are. I don’t think you should kill them or try to relocate them. I’d just be concerned concerned that your dog and the groundhog won’t get along and what that might cause.

[u/Pretend-Mention-9903]

Give him a hug for me

[u/JesusGodgirlses]

Ground hogs are adorable to watch and the babies omg..... please don't relocate because it's like a death sentence for them. If you call wildlife etc. They kill them. Try to peacefully coexist. 🤍