How to Get Rid of Groundhogs Humanely—and Keep Them From Coming Back

Keep these animals out of your garden without using synthetic chemicals or traps.

A groundhog on a grassy lawn — Credit:
Jaclyn Vernace / Getty Images

Groundhogs are one animal you don’t want moving into your garden. As herbivores, they eat a wide range of plants, from grasses to every kind of root vegetable, thwarting the hard work you put into creating a lush landscape. The great news is that it is possible to deter these animals naturally and humanely. Ahead, wildlife experts share their tips for getting rid of groundhogs from your garden without harming them.

Bryor Newton, a wildlife expert and the owner of Critter Removal Indianapolis
Aaron Pollard, a wildlife expert and the district manager for Trutech Wildlife Service in North Carolina

Why Groundhogs Are a Nuisance

Groundhogs have a big appetite. "They’ll eat their way through vegetable gardens, flower beds, and ornamental plantings without hesitation," says Bryor Newton, a wildlife expert and the owner of Critter Removal. "Beans, peas, lettuce, squash, and other garden staples are all fair game."

But the damage goes beyond pillaging your garden, Newton adds. Groundhogs are burrowers, so they dig extensive tunnel systems up to 5 feet underground, potentially damaging patios, walkways, sheds, and even home foundations. Newton once found a groundhog that burrowed under a homeowner’s crawlspace and moved all the important foundational dirt away from the foundation blocks. "It was an expensive fix—the homeowner had to have the entire area regraded to prevent erosion," he says.

Natural Methods for Getting Rid of Groundhogs

Follow these tips for getting rid of groundhogs without harming them.

Spray Natural Extracts

Groundhogs have a strong sense of smell. "Placing items with pungent odors near burrow entrances—such as crushed garlic cloves or cayenne pepper—can make the area uncomfortable enough for them to relocate," says Newton. But the scents eventually lose their potency, says Aaron Pollard, district manager for Trutech Wildlife Service. Hence, the scents will need to be reapplied regularly, especially after rain.

Use Vibration Stakes

Groundhogs rely on their exceptional vibration sensitivity to navigate tunnels and locate food sources, such as grubs. Solar-powered vibration stakes placed near burrow entrances send pulses through the ground that disturb groundhogs and make it hard for them to get around, says Newton. "They don't like the constant disruption in their tunnels and may abandon the den over time," he says.

Keep Your Garden Tidy

Groundhogs prefer areas with nearby cover—tall grass, brush piles, and overgrown vegetation give them places to hide. "Clearing the area around your garden and removing debris piles takes away their sense of security and makes your yard less attractive to them," says Newton. While it does require additional work, this method will keep groundhogs and other common garden pests out.

Apply Predator Scents

Like all prey animals, groundhogs don’t like it when predators move into their habitat. Hence, placing products that contain fox or coyote urine around the garden perimeter and near burrow openings will urge groundhogs to relocate, says Newton. "Groundhogs recognize these as predator signals and may avoid the area," he says. However, these need regular reapplication to remain effective.

How to Prevent Groundhogs from Coming Back

The best groundhog prevention is a sturdy garden fence. "Groundhogs can climb and burrow, so you’ll need to use 6-foot wide woven-wire fencing, with 4 feet above the ground and 2 feet below," Pollard says. While it's a significant expense, Pollard believes it's worth it, since this barrier would keep out many animals, not just groundhogs.

To be even more thorough, add barriers around structures. "Installing a barrier around sheds, decks, porches, and the home itself is crucial for long-term prevention," says Newton. Groundhogs look for protected spaces to den under, so sealing off access to these areas eliminates their preferred nesting sites, he says.

Next, fill abandoned burrows with heavy soil and compact it firmly, says Newton. "Simply filling with loose dirt won't hold—they'll dig right back through it." For burrows near foundations, professional sealing may be necessary to prevent structural issues.

And finally, keep your garden harvested regularly, clean up fallen fruit, and avoid leaving pet food outdoors. "If groundhogs don't have a reason to be on your property, they’re less likely to stick around," Newton says.