Woodchuck Removal CT – Humane Groundhog Trapping & Control

Groundhogs (woodchucks) digging under your foundation, shed, or deck in Connecticut? These powerful burrowers cause serious structural damage, undermine lawns, and eat gardens — especially in towns like Guilford, Old Lyme, Branford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook, Essex, Deep River, Niantic, and across a 30-mile radius from Old Saybrook. RF Wildlife specializes in humane, DEEP-compliant groundhog removal using live trapping and exclusion — no poisons, no relocation. Veteran-owned with 17+ years of experience, I personally handle every job. Call or text 860-510-6313 today for a free inspection and stop the burrowing before it damages your property.

Why Groundhogs Are a Problem in Connecticut

Groundhogs thrive in CT’s mix of suburban lawns, farms, and shoreline properties. They dig extensive burrows (up to 30 ft long) under decks, sheds, porches, and foundations — especially in Guilford’s historic neighborhoods, Old Lyme’s coastal yards, Branford’s marsh edges, and Madison’s beachside estates.

Common signs in Guilford, Old Lyme, Branford & nearby towns:

Large burrow entrances (10–12 inches wide) with fresh dirt mounds
Undermined foundations or sinking decks/porches
Clipped vegetation or eaten garden plants
Chewed wires or garden hoses near burrows
Collapsed soil spots when walking the lawn

Unaddressed burrows can lead to $1,000–$5,000+ in foundation or landscaping repairs. As a rabies vector species, DEEP prohibits relocation — professional trapping and exclusion is the only legal, safe solution.

Understanding Woodchucks in Connecticut: Habits and Habitats

Woodchucks, or groundhogs, are widespread in Connecticut, adapting to various environments from rural farms in Killingworth to suburban backyards in Old Saybrook. These herbivorous rodents feed on grasses, clover, dandelions, weeds, and garden favorites like lettuce, peas, and beans—often decimating crops or flower beds. They’re notorious for selective eating, targeting one flower color or type until it’s gone, frustrating gardeners statewide.

Their burrowing is the biggest issue: Extensive tunnels up to 30 feet long with multiple entrances and chambers create tripping hazards, damage lawnmowers, and undermine sheds or decks. In CT’s mild climate, woodchucks are active spring through fall (March-November), hibernating in winter but emerging early for Groundhog Day predictions. If you’re spotting these stocky, brown-furred animals (up to 15 pounds) or their burrows, act fast to avoid costly repairs.

Signs of Woodchuck Infestation in Your CT Property

Spot these common indicators of groundhogs causing problems in your Connecticut yard or garden:

Burrow Entrances: 10-12 inch holes with mounds of fresh soil—often under sheds, decks, or foundations in Westbrook homes.
Garden Damage: Eaten vegetables, flowers, or plants—woodchucks clip stems cleanly, favoring “deer-proof” varieties in Madison gardens.
Lawn Holes: No raised tunnels (unlike moles), but divots and collapsed ground from extensive digging.
Sightings & Tracks: Daytime activity; five-toed prints near holes or paths in Branford fields.
Crop Losses: Quick devastation—groundhogs eat up to 1.5 pounds of vegetation daily, hitting Guilford farms hard.

In spring and fall, calls for woodchuck removal spike as they prep burrows or stock up for hibernation—don’t let them ruin your property.

Damage Caused by Woodchucks in Connecticut

Groundhogs aren’t just cute—they’re destructive pests in CT:

Lawn & Garden Destruction: Burrows create hazards and kill grass; feeding wipes out veggies, flowers, and crops—losses can hit thousands for farmers or gardeners.
Structural Risks: Tunnels undermine sheds, decks, patios, or foundations—common in Old Saybrook backyards, leading to collapses or equipment damage.
Health Concerns: Carry diseases like rabies or tularemia; attract predators like foxes or coyotes to your Essex property.
Economic Impact: Repairing burrows and replanting gardens adds up—DEEP notes groundhogs as a top agricultural pest in CT.

Humane removal prevents these issues—RF Wildlife ensures your yard stays intact.

Our Humane Woodchuck Trapping Process in Connecticut

At RF Wildlife, we use ethical, poison-free techniques for effective groundhog removal—focusing on humane trapping and dispatch per DEEP rules:

Inspection: Locate burrows, entries, and damage—common under decks or sheds in Clinton properties.
Trapping: Positive-set traps over holes—no bait needed; captures only the resident woodchucks.
Eviction & Sealing: Remove animals; fill burrows with dirt/rock and seal to prevent re-entry.
Cleanup & Repair: Restore lawns, disinfect if needed, and fix structural damage.
Prevention: Tailored advice like fencing gardens or habitat changes—stops future infestations in Glastonbury fields.

With 16+ years as a licensed NWCO, we handle woodchucks legally.

Why Choose RF Wildlife for Woodchuck Removal in CT

Veteran-Owned & Local — 16+ years of direct, no-nonsense service — you talk to the pro, not a call center.
DEEP-Compliant & Humane — No poisons — safe for families, pets, and wildlife.
Shoreline & Middlesex Expertise — We know Guilford’s historic homes, Old Lyme’s coastal burrows, Branford’s marsh dens, and North Madison’s forested yards.
24/7 Emergency Response — Groundhog under foundation? We handle it fast and legally.
Proven Results — Real Google/Yelp reviews from Connecticut clients — zero complaints.

Don’t let woodchucks destroy your CT property—contact RF Wildlife for professional groundhog removal in Connecticut. Call 860-510-6313

Get rid of Woodchuck (Groundhog) from under shed

Have you noticed that something has dug under your shed? If you see a mound of dirt it is likely a woodchuck under the shed. Skunks, raccoons and opossums will also make their home under sheds. Groundhogs (woodchucks), and skunks are the state of Connecticut’s two most likely suspects digging under sheds. Groundhogs dig the largest and most elaborate Burroughs out of all our Connecticut nuisance wildlife. I have seen them cause corners of sheds to sink in the ground because of their digging. Groundhogs will only go to the bathroom in latrine tunnels they dig specifically for this purpose. When one woodchuck latrine is full they will dig a new one. When you see a dug hole going under your shed give us a call to get rid of your ground hog problem.

Getting rid of Groundhog (woodchuck) from under a deck

Woodchucks prefer to make their dens under decks, sheds or some sort of overhead cover. Above all, overhead cover protects the woodchuck from predators like hawks. Watch a woodchuck in your yard, and keep an eye on where it goes. If startled it will likely run for the cover of a burrow. Groundhogs will make many duck in holes. These holes are places dug out just enough to take cover in. Furthermore Woodchucks do not like to be more than a quick sprint from cover. Removing a woodchuck from under a deck can be hard or simple. I like to block off all but its main exit and put a trap over that entrance. I prefer these no bait trapping setups for woodchucks. If using bait, the bait must be fresh and abundant. It is much easier and much more effective getting rid of a woodchuck from under a deck without baits, but sometimes baits are the only option.

Get rid of groundhogs
woodchuck trapping service — Family of woodchucks removed from Old Lyme CT

get rid of groundhog
woodchuck removal from under shed
Killingworth CT — Groundhog removal from under a shed in Killingworth CT

Alternative Names for Groundhogs (Woodchucks) in Connecticut

Groundhogs, scientifically known as Marmota monax, go by several alternative names across Connecticut and the northeastern United States. These terms reflect their behaviors, habitats, or cultural origins, often heard in rural areas like Middlesex County or Old Saybrook. Understanding these can help identify pest issues when searching for “groundhog removal CT” or “woodchuck control Connecticut.” Here’s a list of common and lesser-known names:

Groundhog – The most popular alternative name for woodchucks in Connecticut, especially around Groundhog Day celebrations—think Punxsutawney Phil’s local cousins predicting spring in CT yards.
Whistlepig – A widespread nickname derived from the high-pitched whistle woodchucks make when alarmed, alerting others to danger in fields or under decks in Branford.
Marmot – As a type of large ground squirrel, woodchucks are often called marmots in scientific or wildlife contexts, common in CT’s forest edges and meadows.
Wood-shock – A colloquial rural term used in areas like Westbrook or Madison to describe these burrowing pests that “shock” gardens with their digging.
Thickwood Badger – An archaic name from older New England folklore, rarely used today but referring to their stout build and woodland habitats in Guilford forests.
Weenusk – A Native American term from the Cree people, sometimes adopted in CT wildlife discussions for these herbivores that thrive in open fields.
Monax – The scientific shorthand from their Latin name, Marmota monax, often referenced in academic or DEEP reports on groundhog populations in Connecticut.
No matter the name, if woodchucks are damaging your CT property, RF Wildlife offers humane groundhog removal services. Call 860-510-6313 for expert help in Old Saybrook and beyond.

Woodchucks are Connecticut’s largest ground squirrel and is also known as the groundhog or ground hog It is related to other marmots. Get rid of groundhog calls are common in CT. Its coloration is normally a brownish grey with a darker tail. The woodchuck tends to look larger when outside a cage trap. they can flatten out their body to appear this way. I often get clients telling me that the woodchuck I have trapped looks smaller than the one they saw. Woodchucks (groundhogs) are compact and designed for digging.

Unlike skunks male woodchucks are the larger of the two genders, weighing around 5 to 10 pounds. The total length of the head and body averages 16 to 20 inches. The tail is usually 4 to 8inches in length. Like other rodents, woodchucks have white or yellowish-white, chisel-like incisor teeth. Their eyes, ears, and nose are located toward the top of the head, which allows them to remain concealed in their burrows while they check for danger outside. Woodchucks are not very fast, but they are wary and capable of a quick sprint if they sense danger. Hit the contact button to get rid of woodchucks today.

For more wildlife solutions, explore our network:

AnimalControlCT.com — full animal control
WildlifeControlCT.com — wildlife tips & blogs
MoleExterminators.com — mole trapping specialists