We may realise gross from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs . watch More ›
In This Article
Project Overview
But what attract groundhogs to people ’s yard ? It all come down to the answer to one query , and that ’s “ What do groundhogs exhaust ? ” A woodchuck ’s dieting consists of flowers , veg , twigs and bark , bugs , and even plant life seedlings — so much of a home garden is fair plot for these critters , which is why they often make their home plate near someone ’s garden . mystifying tunnels and pick crop are two telltale polarity of a groundhog problem . But fortuitously , there are a few path to combat this situation . This pathfinder explains how to get disembarrass of groundhogs and keep them away for good .
When citizenry cerebrate of groundhog , they may see Punxsutawney Phil or think of the fascinating history of Groundhog Day . But groundhogs , also cognise as woodchucks , do more than just ( allegedly ) forecast the season . If they weave into a curtilage , they can cause substantial damage to a plate garden . They can even undermine the morphologic integrity of sheds , driveways , and foundations .
Time required:3 to 5 daysDifficulty : Beginner to intermediateEstimated cost:$150 to $ 200 for remotion ; cost for preventive measures ( such as build fence ) will vary
Photo: depositphotos.com
Tools & Materials
Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links .
Before You Begin
Before starting the groundhog remotion cognitive operation , homeowners will want to consider the following :
Tips for Getting Rid of Groundhogs
Safety Considerations
5 Things You Can Do to Deter Groundhogs
Prevent nesting by maintaining your yard.
Groundhogs will use any yard debris they can find to make a nest . Keeping a sizable lawn that ’s free of Mrs. Henry Wood or leaf piles and garbage can serve homeowners keep these rodent from nesting in the first place . Groundhogs may also tunnel underneath homes or garages — if there is already a groundhog nest somewhere in the yard , homeowners will want to fill in any holes and block off the area to keep them from returning to the spot .
Use repellents to keep them away.
While there are no commercial-grade chemical repellents designed specifically for groundhog remotion , products designed for other rodents may do the trick . For homeowner who have dogs , another option is to sprinkle dog weewee or fur around the groundhog ’s nest to signal that predatory animal are nearby . Bobcat weewee can also be purchased from dwelling melioration or hardware storage for this same use and may be even more effective . Epsom saltis a useful Marmota monax deterrent and disgusting that many homeowners may already have on hand . Ammonia , ruby Piper nigrum fleck , talc powder , and garlic also make suited woodchuck repellent and are often found in the home .
Another option is a apparent motion - detector groundhog repellent machine that sprays water or flashbulb light to startle the animals when they approach the machine .
To get rid of groundhogs , homeowners will want to plan out an exit route away from the prop , then set the repellant in the tunnel nearest the prop . They will place another repellent in tunnel far aside ( closer to the outlet ) 1 or 2 days later , repeat the process as necessary until the groundhogs are conk out . It ’s advised that householder exert precaution when plotting out an exit decimal point , or the woodchucks may become the neighbor ’ trouble .
Photo: Depositphotos
Drive the groundhogs out of their homes.
make a groundhog ’s home uninhabitable can repel the critter out . One standard solution is to flood the woodchuck gob with water , which causes it to look for siccative country . Another thing to try is filling the burrow with dirt or rock’n’roll .
Ideally , fumigation will only be perform as a last resort , and always by a wildlife remotion specialist . The fumigation process is not only dangerous to humans but can be lethal to beast . It is also likely to wreak mayhem on the lawn . consort to Thomas Ward III , a training specialiser and biologist withCritter Control , the result to a wildlife nuisance does not have to be deadly to be effective . “ Just because we ’re solving a wildlife trouble does n’t mean we have to smart the animal , ” he says . “ We ’ll always look at options that do n’t cause direct damage to the fauna . ” When hiring a professional , householder will want to check that that the company they choose employs non - lethal methods .
Tried-and-True Advice
“ I started using a trail camera to supervise woodchuck activity in my yard , and it ’s been a game modifier . alternatively of constantly checking for new holes or damage , I just localize up the camera near the burrow or hassle spot . Since it ’s movement - trigger off , it records whenever something moves , ordinarily a groundhog sneaking around at unpaired hr .
Watching the footage gave me a much better discernment of when and where they ’re most dynamic . I was able to spot their entry percentage point and even nail pinnacle time , which made it right smart easy to set traps and deterrents more effectively . It ’s a super efficient , low - campaign way to stay ahead of the problem without being out there 24/7 . ”
Scare groundhogs out of their homes.
If a groundhog wo n’t leave its home willingly , another track of action mechanism is to scare it out of its burrow , and hope it take protection elsewhere . While ocular panic attack maneuver such as scarecrows and pinwheels do work in the forgetful term , they seldom provide live on rilievo as the critter get used to them . auditive and haptic dick , such as solar wager that send out ultrasonic pulses , lean to be more efficacious in the retentive run for affright away woodchuck and other comprehend pest . But Ward advises that these tactics can be limited in their utility : “ Sometimes molestation method work ; if you bother [ the woodchuck ] enough , it might go away . That can be score or miss because it does n’t really direct it where to go ; it ’s just direct it away , so you might send it to your neighbour ’s house . ” The woodchuck would then become the neighbor ’s trouble , and there ’s a prospect they will inadvertently drive the rodent back into your yard .
Trap and relocate the groundhogs.
A more unfailing elbow room of protect the yard from these pests is by physically relocating groundhogs from the property on the whole . Ward suppose , “ The distinctive method acting for seek to remove a groundhog would be a cage , or what we call a loge trap , to captivate and relocate a groundhog . ” The cognitive process involves fix up Marmota monax ambuscade near the burrow entry . A piece of yield oeuvre well as groundhog bait ; these critter ca n’t resist a red-hot slice of cantaloupe .
Once trapped , the beast can be released a significant length away from the attribute so it ca n’t regain its path back . Before you go outside tot a melon , though , make certain woodchuck relocation is n’t illegal in your country . “ You have to make certain [ that state regulation ] allow move or translocation of an animal because those regulations vary by United States Department of State , ” apprise Ward . Some city only allow relocation if it ’s done by a professional wildlife specialist .
TheHumane Society of the United Statesadvises that move is not advocate in the spring and other summertime because it could result in an orphan litter that will choke without their female parent . Relocation can also disorient animals and head to their wrong deaths . leave behind wild animals alone unless they are causing damage to the property . In some case , however , move is the proficient answer to get rid of groundhogs .
The bottom railway line ? If you do n’t want to deal with these legal questions and trapping scenario on your own , consult a wildlife remotion specialist .
“ Just because we ’re solving a wildlife problem does n’t entail we have to hurt the animal . We ’ll always calculate at option that do n’t cause direct impairment to the animal . ”
Install Fencing
In - ground fencingis one of the most good choice for keeping groundhogs out of gardens ; however , you ’ll have to take additional measurement so the creatures can not burrow underneath or climb over the fence . Before installing fence , ensure that there are no inhabited burrows in the sphere . Otherwise , the woodchuck may end up trapped inside the G instead of out . Homeowners can do this by broadly place material such as newspaper or grass clippings at the burrow entrance , then observing over a period of a few days to see whether the stuff has been disturbed .
Once it is clear that there are no woodchuck populate in the yard , it ’s time for to rear the fence . Hardware cloth and chicken wire are both affordable and efficient alternative . Perimeter fence will call for to be at least 3 feet gamey and bury 12 in underground . The top 15 inches of the fencing can be bent at an slant to discourage groundhogs from go up over . An electric telegram placed 4 to 5 inches off the ground around the fencing allow for extra protective cover . Hardware clothcan also be buried 1 invertebrate foot into the earth to set burrow under decks and foundations .
Plant Groundhog Deterrents
If you ’ve done any research on getting groundhogs off your property , chance are you ’ve learned that some works might discourage groundhogs . “ Repellents and deterrents have limited effectualness in my experience , ” says Ward . However , they can serve as an additional telephone line of defense in junction with other methods . Groundhogs dislike the smell of herbaceous plant such asmint , sage , basil , rosemary , thyme , cive , andoregano . Planting these around the delimitation of the grounds or in places that need protection ( such as a vegetable garden ) may keep groundhogs from meander in . But householder will want to note that a distaff groundhog is not likely to be deter by something as lilliputian as an nauseating odor if she is protecting her baby .
Often what is more effective than contribute a deterrent is murder elements that are attracting groundhogs to the K in the first place . For instance , the ground underneath an orchard apple tree tree that throw fruit and leaves can turn into a groundhog snack bar . Clearing the yard of anything that could double as food or protection for a groundhog will make it much less sympathetic to the rodent , and therefore lessen the likelihood of a woodchuck return to your K ( or a new one come to take the original one ’s place ) once you ’ve gotten rid of the rodent .
When to Call a Professional
groundhog are cute from a length , and you might be tempted to interact with them . But Ward apprise homeowners to take precaution . “ Groundhogs do get passably large , ” he say , cautioning that they have a forceful bite . “ I always urge caution when homeowners do something themselves , not because of lack of capableness , but because you ’re pose yourself at a bit more risk than you might want to or not realizing the potential danger . ” He urge weigh potential risk against calling a professional and letting them take care of the job .
It ’s authoritative to call back that woodchuck are waste animals that do not always play predictably , particularly if they are rabid . Thebest wildlife removal serviceswill be able-bodied to apprize homeowners on the safest and most efficient course of natural action to move out groundhogs . They can also facilitate to key out wildlife ; some householder may not know the difference betweengophers , groundhogsand beavers . The process block free of gophersis similar to that of getting rid of groundhogs , but a master can name the animal and suggest the best method for take them from a belongings .
While groundhog can be a nuisance , you could apply the above dick and strategy to preclude and get rid of them for good . Keeping a tasteful lawn , plant natural deterrent , and set up the proper fencing can go a longsighted way of life in turn back woodchuck from record in the first place . If the above strategies are beyond your comfort level and expertness , find a professional with experience to help .
Photo: Depositphotos Photo: depositphotos.com
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few great deal on your patio , a raised layer , or an in - ground secret plan out back — and select the right plants for your land and realm .
