Groundhog Removal Near Me | Wildlife NY

If you're searching for groundhog removal near you in New York, Wildlife NY is your local solution. We're NYS DEC licensed and serve Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester, Rockland, and outer NYC areas. Our technicians offer same-day groundhog removal for urgent situations — call (855) 705-5956 now for availability.

How Do I Know I Need Professional Groundhog Removal?

Groundhogs (also called woodchucks) create distinct signs that are easy to identify once you know what to look for:

A burrow entrance under a deck, porch, shed, or directly against the foundation — look for a 4–6 inch wide opening with a mound of loose dirt
Vegetable garden plants eaten to the ground, especially beans, peas, lettuce, and tomato seedlings
Multiple burrow entrances in the yard — groundhogs maintain several openings and emergency exits
Cracks appearing in a concrete slab, patio, or sidewalk adjacent to the foundation — this is a sign the burrow has extended underneath structural concrete

If the burrow is within two feet of your foundation, treat it as urgent. Groundhogs excavate extensive tunnel systems and can undermine structural footings over time.

What Does Groundhog Removal Near Me Include?

A professional groundhog removal service includes more than just catching the animal. Wildlife NY's standard groundhog removal process:

Inspection: Technician maps all burrow entrances, assesses proximity to structures, and identifies signs of how many animals are present.
Live trapping: Humane live traps are set at the primary burrow entrance and secondary exits. Traps are baited and checked daily.
Relocation: Captured groundhogs are relocated in compliance with NYS DEC regulations — transported well away from the capture site.
L-footer exclusion fencing: Hardware cloth is buried in an L-shaped configuration (12 inches down, 12 inches out) around the perimeter of the protected area to prevent reinvasion.

Can I Remove a Groundhog Myself in New York?

Legally, yes — groundhogs (woodchucks) are not a protected species in New York and homeowners may trap them without a permit. However, DIY trapping without exclusion is almost always ineffective:

Removing one groundhog without sealing the burrow invites a new groundhog to claim the vacated territory within days to weeks during active season.
Relocating a groundhog fewer than 5 miles away often results in the animal returning to the original burrow.
Without L-footer exclusion fencing, any future groundhog can re-dig a burrow in the same location along your foundation or deck perimeter.

Professional groundhog removal addresses both the animal and the vulnerability — removing the resident groundhog AND installing the exclusion infrastructure to prevent the next one.

How Much Does Groundhog Removal Cost Near Me?

Groundhog removal in the New York metro area typically costs $250–$700 for a standard job. This range includes inspection, live trapping, relocation, and basic L-footer exclusion fencing around one burrow system.

Jobs on the higher end of the range involve: multiple active burrow systems, larger perimeters requiring more exclusion fencing, or burrows directly against structural foundations requiring more careful excavation.

Groundhog Damage: When to Call Immediately

Most groundhog situations are urgent but not emergencies. Call immediately if you notice:

A burrow entrance within 2 feet of your home's foundation
A crack appearing in a concrete slab, sidewalk, or patio that was not there last season
Your garden stripped down to bare stems overnight
A groundhog actively digging against the foundation during daylight hours (a sign of a large established colony)

Where We Serve

Wildlife NY provides groundhog removal throughout the New York metro area, including:

Nassau County: Great Neck, Manhasset, Garden City, Hempstead, Levittown
Suffolk County: Huntington, Smithtown, Babylon, Islip, Riverhead
Westchester: White Plains, Scarsdale, Yonkers, Mamaroneck, Rye
Rockland: Nyack, Spring Valley, Suffern, Pearl River
NYC outer areas: Bronx, Queens

Frequently Asked Questions: Groundhog Removal Near Me

Is there a groundhog removal service near me in New York?

Yes. Wildlife NY provides groundhog removal throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester, Rockland, and NYC. We serve most New York metro communities — call (855) 705-5956 for same-day availability.

How do I get rid of groundhogs permanently?

Permanent groundhog removal requires two steps: (1) live trapping and relocation of all resident groundhogs, and (2) L-footer exclusion fencing installed underground around the protected area. Trapping alone provides only temporary relief — a new groundhog will occupy the vacated burrow within weeks.

How much does groundhog removal near me cost?

Groundhog removal in the New York area costs $250–$700 for a standard job — inspection, trapping, relocation, and basic exclusion fencing. Larger properties with multiple burrow systems or extensive exclusion fencing requirements run higher.

What happens if I leave a groundhog burrow alone?

An untreated groundhog burrow under a foundation, patio, or deck will cause progressive structural damage. Groundhogs remove up to 700 pounds of soil from a single burrow system. Over time, this soil removal creates voids that cause concrete slabs to crack, footings to shift, and retaining walls to destabilize.

Will a groundhog come back after removal?

Not if exclusion is done properly. After trapping and relocating the resident groundhog, L-footer exclusion fencing prevents reinvasion. Without exclusion, a new groundhog will typically claim the vacated burrow within days to weeks during active season.

Groundhog Removal Near Me in New York