A garden centre in Saint-Ours, a small town in the Montérégie region bordered by the Richelieu River, asked for our help in early June after discovering several groundhogs installed under the outdoor plant displays and in the spaces between gravel paths set up for customers. The animals, attracted by the abundance of edible plants for sale on the site, had begun to dig deep burrows under the light structures that serve as support for the plants on display. The situation was becoming worrying: the galleries weakened the level floor of the customer aisles, and the visible presence of rodents in broad daylight damaged the professional image of the establishment and provoked comments from visitors. The farmland and the banks of the river, between Saint-Denis and Sorel-Tracy, favour the presence of marmots, which confirms the pressure of the population in this sector at mid-season.
On-site diagnosis and intervention planning
Our technician carried out a reconnaissance visit outside the opening hours of the business so as not to disturb customers and to facilitate the observation of the animals’ behaviour. Inspection revealed five active burrows spread over the area of the store: three under the display tables, one near the rear fence, and one in a corner sheltered by a decorative concrete wall. The dense vegetation for sale on site provided ideal cover for the animal to move undetected from one area to another. Nova Extermination has developed an intervention plan in two distinct phases: capture first, then closure of the accesses, to prevent animals from becoming trapped in the galleries during sealing. Our groundhog capture specialist documented each burrow and prepared the necessary equipment before the first day of trap installation. This rigorous approach is essential to ensure that all the population present is removed before the security work is carried out.
Commercial Capture Operation
Given the commercial context and the daily presence of customers on the site, the traps were installed each evening after closing and checked before opening each morning. Vegetable and fruit baits have been renewed daily to maintain their optimal appeal. The variety of vegetables offered, including carrots, lettuce leaves and cucumber pieces, made it possible to adapt the baits to the preferences observed in the individuals. In seven days of active capture, four marmots were caught and relocated at a safe distance from built-up areas. The fifth terrier, carefully monitored for another four days, remained inactive before being declared abandoned. A wildlife capture and relocation service like ours always allows you to benefit from a rigorous protocol that respects the guidelines of the Quebec Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks. Our previous work on capturing marmots in another business context is a good example of our experience in this type of complex mandate.
Sustainable installation security and recommendations
The five burrows were filled in and secured with galvanized wire mesh buried at the edge of each structure. Metal mesh panels were installed under the gravel display tables to block any future access, while remaining invisible from the walkways. A discreet barrier was also installed along the decorative wall to eliminate the shelter it provided for the groundhogs. The owner received recommendations adapted to the commercial context: installation of retention tanks under the most appetizing plants, elimination of areas of dense shade at the bottom of the structures, regular monitoring of the fence perimeters and seasonal inspection of gravel driveways. A personalized pest prevention plan was given at the end of the intervention to guide the business team in its annual checks. A follow-up was also carried out two weeks later to confirm the absence of any new activity. The situation remained under control throughout the season, allowing the business to resume its normal activities and welcome its customers in a secure and professional environment.