How Much Does Groundhog Removal Cost? [2025 Data]
The cost to remove a groundhog from your lawn ranges from $150 to $200 or about $175, based on its location and the method for humanely trapping it.
The humble groundhog may look cute, but don’t let its roly-poly features fool you. This little critter can wreak havoc on your yard. The average cost of groundhog removal is $175, but it ranges from $100 to $500, depending on your specific situation.
Groundhogs—otherwise known as land beavers, whistle pigs, and woodchucks—also sometimes carry diseases, so it’s good for both your safety and theirs to relocate them away from humans. Luckily, this guide breaks down how to get rid of groundhogs safely and humanely, and what you can expect to pay for professional animal removal services.
Professional Groundhog Removal Cost Factors
It costs between $150 and $200 to have groundhogs professionally removed. Factors that influence the cost of groundhog removal include location, transport, cleanup, and how many groundhogs are in your yard. Contact a groundhog removal professional near you for a personalized quote.
Humane Trapping
Humane trapping and removal may cost more than extermination, but many homeowners find the extra charges worth it. These technicians will have more experience with trapping and relocating groundhogs than you do, and will know the proper and legal locations to resettle the animals.
Transport
Professionals must transport and release the groundhog up to 100 miles away—any closer, and the groundhog might try to return to its burrow. The farther away the suitable location is, the more it will cost.
Cleanup Costs
Another important factor in professional groundhog removal cost is the cleanup required afterward. For example, will the professional close up the burrows to prevent a twisted ankle or damaged lawn mower? Be sure that you’re both on the same page about any post-relocation cleanup that needs to happen.
Groundhog Removal Cost by Location
What you’ll pay for groundhog removal will depend primarily on where they need to be removed from. The following table breaks down the average animal removal costs for the most common spots where you’ll find groundhogs on your property.
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Deck | $100–$200 |
| Crawl space | $125–$300 |
| Shed | $200–$325 |
| Lawn | $150–$300 |
| Home foundation | $300–$500 |
Groundhog Removal Cost by Method
Understanding the different methods available and their associated costs can also help you make an informed decision regarding preventative and humane solutions that keep animals out of your yard. Remember, lethal methods are illegal in many areas without proof of significant property damage by groundhogs.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Exclusion fencing | $1,500–$8,000 |
| Live trapping | $150–$300 per visit |
| Lethal trapping | $150–$300 per visit |
| Commercial repellents | $10–$150 |
Cost to Repair Groundhog Damage
These pesky little creatures burrow around your property, which can damage your house and your yard. If they do significant damage, you might need to budget for lawn, yard, electrical, or foundation repair in addition to removal costs.
| Type of Damage | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Foundation | $500–$4,500 |
| Yard | $15 per cubic yard |
| Lawn | $1–$2 per square foot |
| House | $2–$4 per square foot |
Foundation Damage
Groundhogs that have burrowed around your home might leave piles of dirt and holes near your foundation, weakening your structural stability. Minor repairs are priced affordably, starting at $500, but foundation repairs average about $4,500, depending on the extent of the damage.
Yard Damage
Because they spare no veggie plant or bush, you may need to replant. If they’ve really sunk their claws into your grass, a landscaper might recommend regrading your yard to make it level again, which adds up to roughly $15 per cubic yard.
Lawn Damage
Groundhogs often leave grass in shambles, forcing you to reseed your yard ($0.10 to $0.20 per square foot) or resod your yard (about $1 to $2 per square foot).
House Damage
If groundhogs left chewed wires in their wake, you’d need to hire an electrician and pay to rewire parts of your home, about $2 to $4 per square foot. For any irrigation or sprinkler system repairs, expect to pay $270 on average, according to HomeAdvisor.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove Groundhogs Yourself?
Depending on what materials you have on hand, there are several DIY methods of groundhog removal.
Predator decoys are one free way to discourage a groundhog from digging up your vegetable garden. Soak some rags in ammonia and place them near where you’ve seen a groundhog. The groundhog may mistake the smell for a predator’s urine and flee the area. (Cat owners can put down used kitty litter for the same effect!)
You can also humanely trap and release groundhogs. A humane trap (one that catches an animal without harming it) costs about $50, and you can typically find one at a local hardware store or online.
How to Use a Groundhog Trap
Here’s a general overview of how to set up a groundhog trap, though you should always follow the instructions that come with your model:
Gather the best bait for groundhogs—cantaloupe, strawberries, or something from your garden—and place in the trap.
Place the trap near a burrow hole or recently damaged patch of veggies
Bury the bottom of the trap with dirt so the groundhog can’t feel the metal mesh when he steps onto it
Use stones, twigs, and lawn debris to form a funnel into the trap, guiding the groundhog into it
Caging a groundhog in a humane trap is not hard, but legally relocating the animal could be. Check with your wildlife agency or state game commission regarding relocation.
If you are permitted to relocate groundhogs, avoid direct contact with them because the ticks they carry could spread Lyme disease. You also run a small risk of contracting tularemia, a rare infectious disease also known as “rabbit fever,” from an infected groundhog. This means you must handle humane traps carefully, and avoid traps that can injure or kill the animal.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
It’s a crossroads that people come to again and again: Should I take this task on myself or hire someone for the job? The good news here is that both options are viable for removing groundhogs from your property.
The most effective route, however, and the one we recommend, is to hire a pro. Bringing in an expert guarantees that the groundhogs are successfully and humanely removed, whereas DIY methods are hit-or-miss, not to mention that they take up more of your time.
If time isn’t an issue and you want to save a few bucks, it makes sense to try some DIY removal first. Otherwise, pest control is the way to go, and it’s usually reasonably priced, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can remove groundhogs yourself using a DIY approach of rags soaked in ammonia, or you can purchase and set a trap for the groundhog. These low-cost methods are easy to implement, but you should ensure that you comply with local laws and regulations concerning animal trapping and release. You can also hire an experienced professional to remove groundhogs from your yard.
When relocating, release a groundhog at least 5 miles from the capture site. This distance helps ensure that the groundhog does not return to your property. Make sure to relocate it to a suitable habitat, such as a wooded area or a place with plenty of ground cover, to increase its chances of survival without disrupting existing wildlife. Additionally, always check local regulations, as relocating wildlife may be restricted or require a permit in some areas.
While the cost of animal removal depends on the type of animal, the location, and other factors, the average cost to remove an animal from your property is about $300.
Groundhogs are definitely cute, but it’s usually not a good idea to have them living in your yard. Not only can groundhogs tear up your grass and create unsightly holes and burrows, but they can also carry infectious diseases that are dangerous to humans.
