Groundhogs Under Your Shed or Deck in Spring: Signs, Damage, and How to Stop Repeat Burrowing

Groundhogs can dig large burrows under sheds, decks, porches, and foundations in spring. Learn the warning signs, the damage they can cause, and why proper removal and exclusion matter.

If you are seeing a large hole near your shed, deck, porch, or foundation in May, a groundhog may already be living underneath your structure. In Middle Tennessee and North Alabama, late spring is one of the most common times homeowners notice fresh burrow activity because yards are in use, gardens are growing, and damage becomes easier to spot.

Groundhogs may seem harmless from a distance, but they can create serious property issues when they tunnel near structures. The problem is not just the animal itself. It is the burrow system, the shifting soil, and the chance of repeat activity if the area is left open.

Why Groundhog Activity Becomes More Noticeable in Spring

Groundhogs become more active as weather warms and vegetation returns. Spring and early summer are prime times for feeding, digging, and establishing or expanding burrows.

They are often drawn to residential properties because they offer:

• Soft soil around sheds, decks, porches, and foundations
• Safe cover beneath low structures
• Gardens, flowers, and fresh vegetation
• Quiet edges of yards near fences, brush, or tree lines
• Areas with limited foot traffic during the day

A property can look ideal to a groundhog even when the homeowner does not realize anything is wrong yet.

Common Signs of a Groundhog Under a Shed, Deck, or Porch

Groundhog activity usually leaves visible clues. Some of the most common signs include:

• A wide burrow opening, often around 10 to 12 inches across
• Fresh dirt piled near the hole
• Burrows near sheds, decks, porches, or concrete slabs
• Chewed garden plants or damaged landscaping
• Sunken spots or soft ground near a structure
• Daytime sightings of a large brown animal moving low to the ground
• More than one entrance hole around the same area

If you see both a large hole and a mound of freshly dug dirt, that is a strong sign the burrow is active.

Why Burrows Near Structures Are a Problem

Groundhog burrows are not just shallow holes. They can extend deeper and wider than many homeowners expect.

When burrows are close to structures, they can contribute to:

• Soil instability under sheds, decks, and porches
• Erosion around foundation edges
• Settling or shifting near walkways and slabs
• Tripping hazards in the yard
• Damage to gardens, flower beds, and landscaping
• Open burrows that other wildlife may later use

Even if the structure itself is not visibly damaged yet, the ground underneath may already be compromised.

Why Filling the Hole Too Early Can Backfire

A lot of homeowners see the hole and want to fill it immediately. That is understandable, but it can create a bigger issue if the burrow is still active.

Filling or blocking a burrow too early can:

• Trap the animal underneath a structure
• Cause the groundhog to dig a new exit hole
• Leave hidden tunnel voids in place
• Push the problem to another side of the home
• Allow the same burrow area to be reused later

The goal is not just closing a hole. The goal is confirming the burrow is inactive, removing the animal properly, and preventing that space from being used again.

Professional Groundhog Removal and Exclusion

A proper groundhog control plan usually includes both removal and exclusion.

That process often involves:

• Inspecting the burrow system and surrounding property
• Confirming whether the burrow is active
• Safely removing the groundhog
• Checking for secondary openings
• Collapsing or managing burrows after removal where appropriate
• Installing exclusion barriers around sheds, decks, or porches
• Recommending repairs or prevention steps to reduce future activity

Removal without exclusion often turns into a repeat problem. If the space still feels safe and accessible, another animal may move in later.

How to Reduce the Chance of Repeat Groundhog Problems

Homeowners can make the property less attractive to groundhogs by reducing food sources and access to sheltered digging spots.

Helpful steps include:

• Keep weeds and heavy overgrowth trimmed down
• Reduce brush piles near structures
• Protect gardens with proper barriers
• Watch for early digging along shed or deck edges
• Repair loose skirting or exposed areas around low structures
• Address burrow openings before they expand into larger tunnel systems
• Install buried exclusion where a structure has already been targeted

Prevention matters most after a groundhog has already shown interest in the property.

When to Call a Wildlife Professional

You should call a professional if:

• You find a large burrow under a shed, deck, porch, or foundation
• You keep seeing fresh dirt around the same opening
• The yard has become uneven or unsafe to walk on
• Garden damage is increasing
• You are not sure whether the burrow is active
• DIY filling or deterrents have not worked
• You want to stop another animal from moving into the same space later

The earlier the issue is handled, the easier it usually is to limit damage and prevent repeat burrowing.

Serving Middle Tennessee and North Alabama

Kirkland's Wildlife Trapping provides professional groundhog removal, burrow inspection, and exclusion services throughout Middle Tennessee and North Alabama. If you are seeing large holes near your shed, deck, porch, or foundation, contact us for safe removal and long-term prevention.