Animal removal costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Professional groundhog removal costs between $150 and $200 depending on where the animals are located on your property.
The removal location and transport distance impact your total, with foundation removal costing the most for your project.
You should set aside a few hundred dollars for lawn reseeding, yard regrading, or foundation repairs after the groundhog burrows are filled.
Hiring a local groundhog removal professional keeps you safe from disease-carrying ticks and ensures humane relocation of the animals.
In 2026, the national average cost of groundhog removal is $175. Most homeowners pay between $150 and $200, with costs ranging from $100 to $500 depending on where the animals are located on your property and how far they need to be transported. The removal method, the location of the burrow, and any follow-up repairs—such as lawn reseeding or foundation work—are the primary drivers of your final cost.
Professional groundhog removal typically costs between $150 to $200, with location, transport distance, cleanup requirements, and the number of groundhogs all influencing your final price. The most common factors are where the animals are nesting on your property and how far a pro must travel to release them. Contact a groundhog removal professional near you for a personalized quote based on your specific situation.
Humane trapping and removal may cost more than extermination, but many homeowners find the extra expense worthwhile. Technicians who specialize in humane methods have more experience trapping and relocating groundhogs than the average homeowner. They also know the proper and legal locations to resettle the animals, which protects both you and the groundhog.
Professionals must transport and release groundhogs up to 100 miles away, since releasing them any closer risks the animals returning to their burrows. The farther the suitable release location, the higher your total removal cost will be. Ask your pro about transport distance upfront so there are no surprises on your final bill.
Post-removal cleanup is an important cost factor that homeowners often overlook when budgeting for groundhog removal. Closing up burrows, for example, is essential to prevent twisted ankles and lawn mower damage, but not every pro includes this in their base price. Before work begins, confirm with your professional exactly which cleanup tasks are covered so you are both aligned on expectations.
Where groundhogs are nesting on your property is the primary driver of your removal cost. The following table breaks down the average animal removal costs for the most common locations where groundhogs are found:
| Location | Average Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deck | $100–$200 |
| Crawl space | $125–$300 |
| Shed | $200–$325 |
| Lawn | $150–$300 |
| Home foundation | $300–$500 |
The removal method you choose significantly affects what you pay, and knowing your options helps you select a humane and effective solution that keeps animals out of your yard. Lethal methods are illegal in many areas without proof of significant property damage by groundhogs, so confirm local regulations before proceeding. The following table outlines costs by method so you can compare your options:
| Service | Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Exclusion fencing | $1,500–$8,000 |
| Live trapping | $150–$300 per visit |
| Lethal trapping | $150–$300 per visit |
| Commercial repellents | $10–$150 |
Groundhogs burrow throughout your property and can cause damage to your lawn, yard, house, and foundation that requires repairs well beyond the cost of removal itself. If the infestation is significant, you may need to budget separately for lawn, yard, electrical, or foundation work. The following table outlines average repair costs by damage type:
| Type of Damage | Average Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Foundation | $500–$4,500 |
| Yard | $15 per cubic yard |
| Lawn | $1–$2 per square foot |
| House | $2–$4 per square foot |
Groundhog burrows near your home can leave piles of dirt and holes that weaken your foundation's structural stability, with repair costs ranging from $500 on the low end to around $4,500 for more extensive damage. Minor repairs are relatively affordable, but foundation repairs average about $4,500, depending on how far the damage has spread. Have a foundation specialist assess the burrow sites as soon as groundhogs are removed to catch problems early.
Groundhogs can devastate vegetable plants and shrubs, often requiring full replanting after removal. If the damage extends to your lawn's grade, a landscaper may recommend regrading your yard to restore a level surface, which costs roughly $15 per cubic yard. Getting a landscaping assessment after removal helps you understand the full scope of yard repairs needed.
Groundhogs frequently leave grass in poor condition, making lawn restoration a common follow-up expense after removal. Reseeding is the more affordable option, running $0.10 to $0.20 per square foot, while sodding costs about $1 to $2 per square foot for faster, more complete coverage. The extent of the damage will determine which approach your landscaper recommends.
Groundhogs that chew through wiring can leave you facing electrical repairs at about $2 to $4 per square foot to rewire affected areas of your home. For damaged irrigation or sprinkler systems, expect to pay $270 on average. Have a contractor inspect for both electrical and irrigation damage after removal to avoid missing hidden repair needs.
Depending on what materials you have on hand, there are several DIY methods of groundhog removal.
Predator decoys are one free way to discourage a groundhog from digging up your vegetable garden. Soak some rags in ammonia and place them near where you've seen a groundhog. The groundhog may mistake the smell for a predator's urine and flee the area. Cat owners can put down used kitty litter for the same effect.
You can also humanely trap and release groundhogs. A humane trap (one that catches an animal without harming it) costs about $50, and you can typically find one at a local hardware store or online.
Here's a general overview of how to set up a groundhog trap, though you should always follow the instructions that come with your model:
Gather the best bait for groundhogs —cantaloupe, strawberries, or something from your garden—and place in the trap.
Place the trap near a burrow hole or recently damaged patch of veggies
Bury the bottom of the trap with dirt so the groundhog can't feel the metal mesh when he steps onto it
Use stones, twigs, and lawn debris to form a funnel into the trap, guiding the groundhog into it
Caging a groundhog in a humane trap is not hard, but legally relocating the animal could be. Check with your wildlife agency or state game commission regarding relocation.
If you are permitted to relocate groundhogs, avoid direct contact with them, as the ticks they carry can spread Lyme disease. You also run a small risk of contracting tularemia, a rare infectious disease also known as "rabbit fever," from an infected groundhog. This means you must handle humane traps carefully and avoid traps that can injure or kill the animal.
Hiring a wildlife removal pro is the most reliable way to ensure groundhogs are completely and humanely removed from your property, and professional services typically cost $150 to $200. These experts work faster than DIY methods and follow humane practices throughout the removal process. Over time, professional removal can save you thousands of dollars by preventing property damage caused by a prolonged or recurring infestation.
Hiring an expert for groundhog removal has a number of benefits, such as:
Removing groundhogs much faster than you'd be able to yourself
Ensuring humane treatment of the animals during removal
Access to a variety of removal, trapping, and exclusion methods
Ongoing support in case you start to see groundhogs on your property again
Avoiding direct contact with groundhogs and other wildlife
Ask your pro what method(s) they use to remove groundhogs to determine cost
Make sure you’re comfortable with the pro’s chosen methods from an ethical standpoint
See if your pro can recommend other pros to repair damage caused by groundhogs
See if your pro offers warranties and follow-up service in case you spot more groundhogs
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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