Groundhog Removal Cost Calculator (2026)
By Marcus Ellery, Pest Control Editor · Updated August 2026
Groundhog removal costs most homeowners about $150 to $300, with a national average near $200 and a high end around $550 once you add inspection, fumigation, and burrow filling. Live-trap-and-relocate is the standard method at $150 to $250; a professional repellent application is the cheapest option at $75 to $100 but only lasts about four weeks. The burrow location matters a lot: one under a deck runs $100 to $200, while a burrow under the foundation reaches $300 to $500 because of the deeper, more complex tunnel network. Get your local estimate below.
Estimate your cost
A single trap-and-relocate is the baseline; multiple animals or burrow work costs more.
Backfilling the burrow or fencing a deck/shed keeps groundhogs from re-digging.
Pricing swings with local labor costs and demand.
Estimated groundhog removal cost
$150 – $250
Most homeowners pay around $200
Cost breakdown
- Single trap-and-relocate$200
Planning estimate based on 2026 national price data, not a quote. Get local quotes to confirm.
Free, no obligation. PestCost may be compensated by licensed pest control providers who receive your call or quote request. This never changes what you pay.
What drives your groundhog removal cost
- Removal method: repellents ($75–$100) and lethal traps ($100–$175) are cheaper than live-trap-and-relocate ($150–$250), which adds transport and release labor.
- Burrow location: a burrow under a deck runs $100–$200, but one under the foundation reaches $300–$500 for the deeper tunnel network.
- Number of groundhogs: small jobs bracket at $100–$200, medium at $200–$400, and large infestations at $400–$600.
- Inspection and labor: an initial inspection is $50–$100 and hands-on labor runs about $50–$75 per hour.
- Follow-up work: burrow filling ($200–$500) or exclusion fencing adds substantially to the base trapping fee.
Ready for real numbers?
A calculator gets you the fair range. Local quotes confirm it for your exact home. Comparing 2–3 pros is the single best way to avoid overpaying on a groundhog removal.
Free, no obligation. PestCost may be compensated by licensed pest control providers who receive your call or quote request. This never changes what you pay.
Ways to save
- Ask whether the inspection fee is credited toward the job; many companies waive or apply it when you hire them.
- Bundle burrow filling and exclusion into the same trapping visit rather than booking a separate trip.
- For a chronic problem, a recurring contract (roughly $100–$540 a year) is cheaper per visit than repeated one-off calls.
- Install a fence at least three feet tall sunk about a foot underground, plus yard cleanup, to cut down repeat removals.
- Time the job for the active spring and summer season, when trapping success is higher and you avoid paying for repeat visits.
Helpful products
Doing part of this yourself? These are the product categories most people buy for this job. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes your price.
Frequently asked questions
How much does groundhog removal cost in 2026?
Groundhog removal runs about $150–$300, with a national average near $200 and a high end around $550 for inspection plus fumigation and burrow filling. Live-trap-and-relocate, the standard method, is $150–$250.
Is it legal to trap and relocate a groundhog myself?
Relocation laws vary by state, and many restrict or prohibit moving wildlife because of disease spread. A licensed wildlife professional knows the local rules, which is one reason grounded cost guides steer toward pros over store-bought fixes.
Why fill in the burrow after removal?
An empty burrow invites the next groundhog to move in, and tunnels under a foundation or deck can undermine the structure. Backfilling runs $200–$500, and pairing it with a fence sunk about a foot underground stops re-digging.
Do groundhog repellents work?
Store-bought repellents often fail because groundhogs habituate to them. A professional repellent application ($75–$100) lasts about four weeks, which is why trapping is the more reliable long-term fix.
Sources
Price ranges cross-referenced against these 2026 cost guides and contractor databases:
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