Groundhogs are best kept out of a yard by installing a buried exclusion fence at least 3 feet tall, then removing food sources and sealing burrows after confirming they are empty.
For the full breakdown, see our best Fencing For Groundhogs guide.
The good news is that the most reliable solution is also the most straightforward: a fence built to their digging habits. But fences alone won’t do it if your yard is a buffet. Here is exactly how to make your property unwelcoming for good, from the fence specs that actually stop them to the habitat changes that send them looking elsewhere.
Install a Groundhog-Proof Fence the Right Way
The only consistently effective long-term barrier is a stout wire fence buried deep and bent outward at the bottom. Groundhogs are determined diggers, so a flimsy or surface-level barrier is a waste of effort.
The fence must rise at least 3 feet above ground. Below ground, bury the bottom edge 12 inches deep, and bend those 12 inches outward in an L-shape or 90-degree angle. This buried “apron” stops the animal from simply tunneling under the edge — when it hits the buried wire, it meets the outward turn and gives up.
Adding an electric wire (optional): For especially persistent groundhogs, some sources recommend a single electrified strand placed 4 to 5 inches outside the fence and 4 to 5 inches off the ground, or a strand at 8 to 12 inches above ground level. This is an effective deterrent but should not be used where children or dogs can reach it.
Gates are a weak point: Ensure any gate in the fence has its own buried apron — groundhogs will dig precisely at the door edge if the ground there is unprotected.
Remove What Attracts Groundhogs in the First Place
A fence works best when the yard is not actively inviting them in. Groundhogs eat garden vegetables, fallen fruit, and tender plants. They also seek cover in brush piles, tall grass, and spaces under decks or sheds.
- Clean up food: Pick fallen fruit and vegetables daily during harvest season. Keep compost bins tightly sealed and inaccessible. Store pet food indoors.
- Eliminate cover: Mow grass regularly, trim bushes and shrubs low to the ground, and remove brush piles, wood stacks, and rock piles.
- Block access under structures: Seal gaps under decks, porches, and sheds with heavy-gauge wire mesh buried at least 12 inches deep around the foundation.
Close Groundhog Burrows Correctly
If you have existing burrows in the yard, do not seal them until you are certain the animal is gone. A trapped groundhog inside a sealed burrow will dig its way out — or die.
Check activity first: Loosely plug each burrow entrance with grass clippings, crumpled newspaper, or light soil. Wait three to five days. If the plug is undisturbed, the burrow is likely empty. Sources from the Missouri Department of Conservation recommend placing sod grass-side down over the opening to make a tight seal.
Seal the burrow permanently: After confirming vacancy, fill the tunnel with stones, gravel, or compacted soil to prevent collapse. Cover the entrance with a 3-foot square of heavy-gauge welded fencing wire, burying the edges at least 1 foot deep so nothing can dig around it.
Are Repellents or Trapping Worth It?
Repellents are secondary at best. Castor oil, capsaicin, garlic, predator urine, ammonia, and blood meal are all mentioned in published guidance, but none are described as uniformly reliable. They may discourage a groundhog for a few days, especially when weather conditions keep the scent strong, but they will not solve an established infestation. Fencing is the only method with a high success rate over time.
Live trapping has strict rules. A suitably sized live trap baited with apple or carrot and placed near a known burrow can work, but relocation laws vary by jurisdiction — you must check local regulations before attempting. Traps should be set during daylight hours and closed or disabled at night to avoid catching non-target animals like raccoons or cats.
References & Sources
- Missouri Department of Conservation. “Groundhog Control.” Official state guidance on burrow sealing, trapping rules, and habitat modification.
- Humane World. “What to Do About Groundhogs.” Humane society recommendations for exclusion fencing, burrow monitoring, and trapping ethics.