The most dependable way to keep groundhogs out of a garden is to exclude them with sturdy wire mesh: bury the bottom edge or add an outward-facing apron, and make the top difficult to climb. If a groundhog is burrowing beneath a porch, shed, or foundation, find out whether the animal has left before closing any opening. Sprays and scare tactics may help in limited situations, but they are not a reliable way to evict an animal from an established den.
Identify the problem before choosing a fix
Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, are active during the day, so you may be able to observe the animal causing damage. Look for browsing on garden plants and burrow openings near the affected area. A burrow can have several entrances; one visible hole does not necessarily reveal the full system. Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources describes their daytime activity and multi-entrance summer burrows in its groundhog guidance.
That distinction matters: a fence can protect vulnerable plants, but it will not safely resolve a burrow beneath a building. Choose the response based on where the damage or access is occurring.
Keep groundhogs out of a garden with mesh fencing
A sturdy wire-mesh barrier is the primary option for protecting garden beds. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission recommends a fence 3–4 feet high with a 1-foot footer; Indiana DNR recommends at least 3 feet above ground and burying the mesh 10–12 inches. These are agency recommendations, not a guarantee for every site. Follow local guidance and adapt the design to the area being protected.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- STRONG REPELLER - This unique blend of ingredients causes mild irritation to animal's nasal passages. When an animal touches, tastes, or smells Repels-All Animal Repellent, it triggers the natural instinct to escape/avoid and the pest leaves.
- ANIMALS AFFECTED - Our granules repel species of squirrel, deer, rabbit, chipmunk, mouse, skunk, rat, beaver, raccoon, porcupine, bird, groundhog and more rodent species.
- DEFEND YOUR GARDEN AND HOME - Apply around homes, gardens, garbage cans, barns, swimming pools, sheds, woodpiles, decks, patios, and campsites to prevent grazing, chewing, gnawing, nibbling and browsing damage to plants and property.
- BIODEGRADABLE - Repels-All granules are biodegradable and will not harm animals, lawns, gardens, flowerbeds, or other desirable plants when used as directed.
- Enclose the vulnerable area. Use sturdy mesh fencing around the plants or garden that need protection. Heavy poultry wire or mesh with openings around 2 inches is one practical fencing type noted in agency guidance.
- Block digging underneath. Bury the lower edge about 10–12 inches, consistent with Indiana DNR’s recommendation, or use an outward-facing underground apron. North Carolina’s guidance specifies a 1-foot footer.
- Make climbing difficult. A top that bends outward or wobbles can discourage an animal from climbing over. A properly installed electric strand may also be an option where appropriate; follow product directions and local requirements.
Do not treat fence height alone as the whole design: the buried edge or apron addresses digging, while the top feature addresses climbing.
Protect a porch, shed, or foundation without trapping an animal
If a groundhog is getting beneath a structure, inspect the foundation perimeter, porch, and shed for access gaps. Do not immediately cover a suspected entrance: the animal may still be inside, and a burrow may have other openings. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission warns that harassed groundhogs may retreat underground and that blocking the wrong entrance can trap one in its burrow.
Rank #2
- Covers the Areas That Matter Most: Ideal for supporting protection for up to 120 sq ft, ideal for lawns, garden beds, landscaped sections, and plant root zones where maintaining a smooth surface matters most.
- Easy to Use: Simple to apply with no complicated setup, an easy addition to your regular lawn and garden care routine. Helps reduce hardworking repairs and costly replanting.
- Long-Lasting Support — Up to 2 Months: Each application lasts up to 60 days, offering ongoing yard support so you don’t have to constantly think about underground activity or frequent reapplications.
- Natural & Safe: Made with natural ingredients, penetrates deep into the soil where animals burrow and help manage mole activity.
- Helps Keep Your Lawn Looking Neat: Designed to keep moles, voles, gophers, armadillos and groundhogs away, helping limit new tunnels and raised ridges, supports lawn that feels smoother, more even, and better maintained.
- Check for signs of activity and consider whether young may be present. If you cannot establish that the animal has left, do not seal the opening yet.
- Once the animal is out, close access gaps with durable materials such as hardware cloth or flashing, fitted securely to the structure.
- If the burrow is beneath a building, or you cannot determine how to exclude the animal safely, contact a licensed wildlife-control professional for site-specific help.
Building exclusion is different from garden fencing: mesh around plants protects a perimeter, while hardware cloth or flashing closes a specific structural gap only after the animal has left.
Reduce food and cover near buildings
Make the area less inviting by harvesting ripe produce, picking up fallen fruit, and securing food and waste. Trim concealing vegetation and clear debris near porches, sheds, and foundations so access points are easier to see and sheltered approaches are reduced. These steps support exclusion; they should not be mistaken for a way to force an established burrow to empty.
Rank #3
- KEEP YOUR LAWN PRISTINE - Covers up to 120 sq ft to keep moles, voles, gophers, armadillos and groundhogs from undoing the time and effort you've invested in your garden, letting your lawn stay smooth and well-kept.
- WORKS FOR WEEKS - Each ball lasts up to 60 days, without the need to reapply frequently and helping your outdoor care feel easier to manage.
- PLANT-BASED PROTECTION - Made with plant-based ingredients, this repellent guides moles away without disturbing your garden or farm space, letting you maintain your outdoor areas naturally.
- FAMILY-FRIENDLY & SAFE - Designed to be safe around people, pets, and plants, giving you confidence while keeping your lawn protected.
- SIMPLE PLACEMENT - Just place it in mole-prone areas and walk away—no extra steps or daily attention needed, making mole management simple and stress-free.
Use sprinklers and sprays only as supplements
A motion-activated sprinkler may help protect a small area, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Repellent sprays and motion lights are less predictable: Michigan DNR describes commercial sprays and motion lights as potentially brief or ineffective. Treat either approach as a trial alongside physical exclusion, not as a guaranteed solution for an established den.
Harassment alone is especially unreliable when a groundhog has a burrow nearby. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission says hazing intended to make a groundhog leave the area entirely “nearly always fail[s]” because the animal typically retreats into its burrow until the danger passes. The statement is from its Groundhog guidance.
Rank #4
- DOUBLE THE PROTECTION: Powerful Dual-Action Formula (repels by fear AND smell) breaks feeding habits quickly and keeps animals out of treated areas. Contains more active ingredients than any other repellent on the market for longer-lasting protection
- PROVEN EFFECTIVE IN HARSH WEATHER: Trusted by hundreds of professional landscapers and gardeners to provide reliable protection through the harshest weather conditions. Specifically formulated to last longer in rain, snow, and freezing temperatures
- PLEASANT SCENT & NATURAL INGREDIENTS: Made from natural ingredients and botanical oils that have a pleasant mint scent, and are safe for pets, people, and the environment. Contains NO harmful chemicals or glues that threaten nearby wildlife
- WINTER ADVANTAGES: I Must Garden Granular Animal Repellent is safe and easy to apply at any temperature it even works when applied on top of snow
- VERSATILE APPLICATION: In addition to easy applications in cold or rainy weather, this repellent protects fast growing plants, small seedlings, and bedding plants that need additional protection against both deer and rabbits
Check local rules before trapping, relocating, or blocking a den
Trapping, relocation, and removal requirements vary by state; guidance from North Carolina, Michigan, Missouri, or Indiana should not be assumed to apply elsewhere. Before trapping an animal, moving it, or closing a burrow entrance, check your state wildlife agency’s current rules. If young may be present or the burrow is under a structure, get qualified local advice rather than sealing an entrance or attempting removal by guesswork.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PROVEN RESULTS – Tested and used by thousands of professional gardeners and landscapers. Proven to keep groundhogs from eating treated gardens, plants, trees, bark, and lawns
- LONG LASTING & RAIN RESISTANT – You do NOT need to re-apply after every rainfall or irrigation cycle
- NO FOUL ODORS – Botanical oils repel groundhogs, not people!
- ALL NATURAL and SAFE – We use natural ingredients and botanical oils that are safe for pets, safe for people, and safe for the environment. Contains NO harmful chemicals or poisons
- READY TO USE – No mixing or measuring required, simply spray repellent on plants you want protected
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
