Business hours
- Monday [8 a.m. - 5 p.m.]
- Tuesday [8 a.m. - 5 p.m.]
- Wednesday [8 a.m. - 5 p.m.]
- Thursday [8 a.m. - 5 p.m.]
- Friday [8 a.m. - 5 p.m.]
- Saturday [10 a.m. - 4 p.m.]
- Sunday [10 a.m. - 4 p.m.]
Wildlife we capture
Groundhog Capture & Control
A 15 cm hole appeared near your foundation. Your vegetable garden is ravaged. The ground is sinking along your driveway.
The common groundhog is the largest terrestrial rodent in the Outaouais. It seems harmless — until you realize the extent of its tunnels. A single groundhog burrow can extend 10+ metres with multiple entrances, each a potential subsidence point. When that network runs under your foundation, deck or shed, the structural consequences are serious.
The real problem: what you can't see
On the surface, you see a hole. Below, it's a network of tunnels with sleeping chambers, storage areas and birthing dens. This network diverts rainwater toward your foundation, creates voids under structures and weakens compacted soil.
Common damage
- Foundations — Rainwater infiltrates the tunnels and runs along the foundation. Cracks, water infiltration and subsidence.
- Gardens and lawns — The groundhog is herbivorous and voracious. An unprotected vegetable garden is an invitation.
- Outdoor structures — Decks, sheds, patios, concrete slabs — anything resting on undermined soil can subside.
Our process
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Property inspection
Identifying all burrow entrances (there are often 2–4 for a single network). Damage assessment.
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Capture
Safe traps placed at active entrances. The groundhog is diurnal and creatures of habit — we know their patterns.
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Relocation
To appropriate habitat away from residential areas, compliant with regulations.
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Filling and exclusion
Burrows must be properly filled to prevent subsidence and discourage new occupants. Advice on protecting gardens and structures.
Frequently asked questions
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Will the groundhog hibernate and leave?
It hibernates from October to March, but returns to the same burrow in spring. And it expands it every year. Capture during the active season is the solution.
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Can a groundhog burrow really damage my foundation?
Yes. The tunnels divert water toward the foundation and create voids under structures. It's a common problem on rural and semi-rural properties in the Outaouais and Laurentides.
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How do I protect my garden from groundhogs?
A galvanized wire fence buried 30 cm deep and angled outward is the best prevention. We can advise on installation after capture.
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When should I act?
Ideally in spring or summer, when the groundhog is active and visible. Fall also works before hibernation. In winter, it's underground and inaccessible.
Service areas
Service areas
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Outaouais
Gatineau, Hull, Aylmer, Buckingham, Chelsea, Wakefield
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Ottawa and area
Bilingual service across the river
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Laurentians
MRC Antoine-Labelle, Mont-Laurier, Rivière-Rouge, cottages and forested properties
A groundhog burrow is a foundation problem waiting to happen. Act now.
Free estimate. Humane capture. Burrow filling.