Hole under front porch slab

scottyv81

I dug (ha!) through the first 12 pages and didn't see this question. I noticed a large pile of dirt next to my front porch slab about 2 weeks ago and there was a 8-10" hole going under the slab. I tried flushing it out with some water (didn't work) and I started laying sponges soaked in ammonia that night. 5 ammonia soaked sponges have been removed by the animal in the two weeks since. Yesterday I moved the dirt pile, and whatever it is has excavated about 30 gallons of dirt and 1-2" rock. I also removed all ground cover and replaced with mulch. I then put down some pepper deterrent. I think I've narrowed it down to skunk, raccoon, or woodchuck.

I thought of spraying the yard for grubs but I don't really notice any activity. I'm in Illinois so I can't trap/remove myself, and animal control in my city won't assist unless it is IN the house (slabs, window wells, etc. don't count). Firearms won't work because I'm in the city and wife wouldn't allow it. Poison is also out of the question because that is also illegal and even if it wasn't, I've got pets. Now that I've eliminated most popular recommendations, any other ideas on how to get rid of this thing?

PAbugman

You can't even legally live trap? It does sound like a ground hog. Skunks and raccoons do dig, but they are mostly oppportunists that take advantage of holes that they find. Ground hogs are voracious diggers and are not intimidated by other animals, repellents, harrassment. They have to be caught, killed, removed, etc. Unfortunately others will move into that hole, even if you cover it up. Their own scent, musk, pheromones seem to attract others.

If your local government wont let you take care of this, you may have to hire a nuisiance wildlife person.

scottyv81

Thanks for the heads up, sounds like I can quit wasting my time with "home remedies". I did some more research and can call a wildlife removal specialist or see if I can apply for a nuisance wildlife removal permit (need to demonstrate property damage to get this though). Think I'll give a call to animal control tomorrow to see if they can give me a recommendation. As far as prevention goes, I was going take some 1/2" x 1/2" wire fencing, bend it in an L-shape, and bury it about 10" deep (overlapping the slab by 1") and 8" horizontal all the way around the porch. Would this do any good?

PAbugman

Your prevention idea sounds very good. Just make sure that there are no animals in the hole when you do it. After you think they are gone, dead, whatever-stuff the hole with balled up newspaper. If anything is in there, the paper will be pushed out/in and you know you have more work to do. Good luck with everything.