Free inspection. Burrows cleared, yard protected for good.
GTA Pest Solutions provides humane groundhog and chipmunk removal in Toronto and across the Greater Toronto Area. We begin with an inspection to identify the animal, locate active burrow entrances, and determine whether the burrow is affecting a foundation, shed, deck, patio, or landscaped area.
Removal is followed by appropriate burrow treatment and exclusion where needed to reduce the chance of re-entry or reuse. Groundhogs and chipmunks behave differently, so the control approach depends on the species, location, and condition of the property.
We serve Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Scarborough, North York, and Etobicoke.
Correct groundhog removal Toronto starts with knowing which animal you’re actually dealing with.
Groundhog/woodchuck (Marmota monax) and Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) both dig burrows, but they don’t look, act, or damage property the same way.
| Comparison | Groundhog (Woodchuck) | Eastern Chipmunk |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large, 8 to 10 lbs, cat-sized. | Small, palm-sized. |
| Burrow Entrance | Wide, 20–30 cm, with a visible dirt mound. | Narrow, about 5 cm, with no visible dirt mound. |
| Why No Dirt Pile | N/A, digs and pushes soil out of the burrow. | Carries soil away in cheek pouches to hide the den entrance. |
| Common Spot | Under sheds, decks, foundations, and porches. | Near foundations, gardens, wood piles, tree stumps, and landscaping. |
| Main Damage | Structural undermining, burrow collapse, and large holes in lawns. | Lawn tunnelling, damage to flower bulbs, roots, and vegetable gardens. |
A wide entrance with a noticeable soil mound is more consistent with a groundhog burrow, while a smaller, cleaner opening is more consistent with a chipmunk burrow. However, an inspection may be needed when signs are unclear.
Groundhog burrows can extend beneath sheds, decks, patios, lawns, and other structures. When tunnelling occurs close to a foundation or supporting structure, it can create hollow areas, soil movement, and potential undermining.
A visible entrance with fresh soil, repeated activity, or a depression near a shed, deck, or foundation is worth inspecting before the burrow is filled or sealed.
Hollow ground near a shed or patio?
Eastern chipmunks are smaller and more difficult to detect than groundhogs. Their burrow entrances are often narrow and may have little visible soil around the opening because excavated material is carried away.
Chipmunk activity is commonly found around foundations, gardens, landscaping, wood piles, and other sheltered areas. Repeated tunnelling near structures or extensive activity around a property may require professional assessment.
Hearing a sharp “chip-chip” sound in the yard?
Filling a burrow before confirming that it is vacant may not solve the problem. An active animal can reopen the entrance, while an unused burrow may later be occupied by another wildlife species.
The better approach is to confirm whether the burrow is active, address the animal, and then secure the opening or surrounding area where appropriate.
Already tried filling it in yourself?
Ontario generally restricts the capture and relocation of live wildlife. A limited property-protection exception can apply when wildlife is causing damage, but specific conditions govern how captured animals may be handled and released.
For example, Ontario’s guidance states that wildlife captured under the property-protection exception must generally be released within 1 kilometre of where it was captured and within 24 hours, while applicable municipal bylaws and other wildlife requirements must also be followed. For that reason, removal should be planned around the species, the property, and the applicable Ontario requirements rather than simply trapping and moving the animal elsewhere.
Thinking about a trap-and-release yourself?
Every groundhog removal Toronto job follows the same five steps:
We confirm which animal is involved and map every active burrow entrance on the property.
Our professionals use live traps to capture and relocate the animal humanely.
The vacated burrow is treated and collapsed to prevent reuse by the same or a different animal.
Where needed, buried mesh barriers are installed along foundations, sheds, and decks to stop new digging.
We confirm no new activity has started before closing the job.
Ready to get it handled properly?
The timeline depends on the species, number of animals or burrows, access conditions, and whether exclusion work is required.
A straightforward groundhog problem may be resolved relatively quickly, while repeated chipmunk activity or multiple burrows can require additional monitoring. The expected timeline can be confirmed after the initial inspection.
Want a timeline for your specific yard?
Small, inactive holes can sometimes be monitored, but filling an active burrow without confirming that the animal has left may simply lead to another excavation.
Professional assessment is more appropriate when a burrow is beside a foundation, shed, deck, patio, or other structure, when multiple entrances are present, or when the opening repeatedly reappears after being filled.
The first step is identifying which animal is using the burrow and whether it is currently active.
Filled it in already, and it came back?
Keep the existing bullets with minor edits:
Ontario itself recommends removing food attractants and eliminating access to spaces where wildlife can build dens, including openings under decks.
GTA Pest Solutions has more than 10 years of pest and wildlife-control experience serving properties across the Greater Toronto Area.
For additional verification, see our Licensing & Certifications, Guarantee, Reviews, and Case Studies pages. Where available, groundhog, chipmunk, or wildlife-exclusion case studies and reviews should be prioritized on this service page.
Ready for a fix that actually holds?
The cost depends on the number of animals or burrows, the location of the activity, access conditions, and whether exclusion barriers or additional work are required. An inspection allows the scope of work to be assessed before providing a quote.
A wide burrow entrance with a visible dirt mound almost always points to a groundhog. A narrow, clean entrance with no dirt pile is more likely a chipmunk. Send us a photo if you’re not sure.
Do not fill an active burrow before confirming that the animal has left. An active animal may reopen the entrance, and an unused burrow can later be occupied by another wildlife species.
It can create concerns when tunnelling occurs beneath or immediately beside foundations, sheds, decks or patios. The level of risk depends on the burrow's location and the structure above it.
Yes. Our groundhog control GTA coverage extends across the surrounding cities we service, with the same inspection-first approach.
The removal approach depends on the species, activity and property. Humane methods and applicable Ontario wildlife requirements should be considered before capture or relocation.
The timeline varies according to the number of animals, burrows, access conditions and exclusion work required. A technician can provide a more realistic estimate after inspecting the property.
A groundhog usually creates a larger burrow entrance with visible soil around the opening. Chipmunk entrances are generally smaller and may have little visible soil. If the signs are unclear, an inspection can help identify the animal.
We are a trusted pest control service provider offering safe, effective, and solutions homes and businesses.
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