Groundhogs and gophers can both tear up your lawn, but how do you know what you’re dealing with? Check the following signs to know:

Also called woodchucks, groundhogs are large rodents, typically between 16 to 26 inches long and weighing between 4 to 9 pounds. They’re a big fan of berries and agricultural crops and can destroy a garden if given the chance. Groundhogs will also eat insects, snails, and grasshoppers.

Groundhogs live in burrows and hibernate during the winter. To create a burrow, they may move up to 35 cubic feet of earth, creating a huge mound in your yard. Groundhogs can be aggressive if cornered and they’re best left to the professionals if you encounter one or its burrow in your yard.

Pocket gophers, on the other hand, are between 4 and 12 inches long and weigh a few hundred grams up to around 2 pounds. Gophers typically have brown fur, sharp teeth, and cheek pouches that extend back into their shoulders. They use their cheek pouches to carry food back to their burrows to store it.

Like groundhogs, gophers kick up a lot of soil to make a burrowed home. They prefer moist soil, though, and so are often found in garden beds and well-tended lawns. Gophers also find veggies a lovely snack, making them quite the agricultural pest. Although small, gophers can pack quite a bite, though, and will defend themselves if cornered.

Fortunately, you don’t have to know the differences between groundhogs and gophers! Animal Control Experts in Asheville and Atlanta specializes in humanely trapping and removing both types, as well as many other critters. We can put exclusion barriers in place to avoid future invasions. Get a FREE quote from us here!