Groundhog Removal
A KCMO Groundhog Story
Raytown/Kansas City, MO - Groundhog in Basement Story | Click to Expand
A homeowner contacted us about a groundhog inside their basement. The groundhog had gotten in through a ground-level soffit that had partially decayed (first photo). Once inside the basement the groundhog got lost. While trying to get out of the basement the groundhog was attempting to tear through the door to the upstairs (second photo). When we arrived, the groundhog was hiding under the stairs (third photo). The easy approach here is that we could have set a few traps and come back later -- but we didn't want to leave a groundhog on the loose in this person's home. One of the advantages of having worked with animals for decades is that we have a few tricks up our sleeve for gently coaxing a frightened animal to move. We soon had the groundhog in a trap (final photo) and were able to safely relocate it.
Can I Get Rid of Groundhogs Myself?
There are a number of chemical repellents that you might be able to use to help rid your property of groundhogs. Repellents are not usually 100% effective, frankly, they very rarely work. We’ve been dealing with groundhogs for decades and there’s a reason why we don’t use chemical repellents for groundhogs.
An important consideration for groundhogs is their annual breeding cycle. The ideal time to address any groundhog population on your property is before the young are born in April or May – otherwise you’ll have additional groundhogs to deal with. And, what can we say, the pups are cute. The key here is that it’s better to address the issue before pups show up on the scene.
If the groundhog population on your property has bred, don’t be surprised to find a large amount of tunnels appearing soon. The young groundhogs will leave the den of their mother when they are about five weeks old to seek out their own den. These young groundhogs love to dig and will often dig up holes that you may have already filled with dirt.
Are Woodchucks Dangerous?
A woodchuck is not necessarily a dangerous animal, as they usually run away from humans unless their den is threatened. If they feel like their den is being threatened, they will defend themselves with two large incisors at the front of their jaw as well as their front claws. In addition, they have been known to carry rabies from time to time. But, the biggest danger is the threat that they pose to your home and your property.
When Do You Need To Call a Professional?
Taking control of your groundhog problem is best done sooner rather than later. If you want to work with a local professional, contact us as soon as you realize that there is a woodchuck population on your property, whether a residential or commercial property.
We can set traps to catch the animals and safely remove them from your property before they cause major damage. We also offer exclusion work after the animals are removed. Our technique of blocking the denning activity after we remove the animals have been 100% successful of future infestations thus far.
How Can You Get in Touch With Catch-it Wildlife?
If you have a wildlife or pest problem, contact us by filling out the form on the contact page or call us at (816) 769-3106 today! Catch-It
Wildlife provides pest control, wildlife removal, and bird control services!
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Hi there, I'm Steve, the Owner of Catch-It, and I personally handle all incoming inquiries from the website. If you have a question or need help, send me a message via the form below and I'll be in touch with you soon (often the same day). If your query is urgent, please give us a call at (816) 769-3106.