Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Groundhog

Our latest juvenile Groundhog patients want to remind you that relocating wildlife is NOT legal in Virginia!

Every year, humans create orphans by capturing and relocating parents, while leaving babies to die in dens. It is also inhumane to adults, as these animals do not survive well when relocated and can spread disease.

Photos / Blue Ridge Wildlife Center

Though some consider groundhogs a nuisance, they play an important role in the environment just like everyone else! These guys dig dens that are used by a variety of native wildlife including foxes, rabbits, opossums, and others. Their digging helps to aerate the soil and buffers our land from severe flooding while the wastes and food scraps in burrows increase soil nutrients, helping our crops to grow. They also serve as prey species to many of our native predators.

If you have groundhogs that you do not want in a specific location, please consider waiting until September to attempt humane eviction methods. You can use techniques including ammonia-soaked rags, overnight lights and radios, and other deterrents to get these animals to move on willingly once their babies are grown.

Once they leave, you will need to fill the den entryways, ideally with concrete and fairly deep, as they are amazing diggers and will make their way back into a well-made burrow when possible. Consider using metal netting to wire off areas under sheds or decks.

Please call us if you need advice about deterring Groundhogs in specific situations. Creating orphans is never the best answer!

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