9 Expert Tricks to Banish Groundhogs for Good

Here’s how you can prevent groundhogs from approaching your house and yard.

Regardless of whether you refer to them as woodchucks, whistle pigs, ground pigs, or groundhogs, these sizable ground squirrels can become quite bothersome in your outdoor space and gardens. As Sheldon Owen, PhD, explains, who works as a wildlife extension specialist, "These animals consume what is both accessible and richest in nutrients." West Virginia University They devour significant amounts of plant material, particularly fruits and veggies. However, they will also feed on clover, tree bark, and various landscaping plants.

Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, reside within intricate subterranean networks. "These animals excel at digging tunnels," states Dr. Wesley Anderson, who serves as an assistant professor. Auburn University and wildlife extension specialist at the Alabama Coop Extension System Their tunnels might create problems for structures like sheds, decks, patios, or sidewalks when dug underneath them. Additionally, these holes pose a danger to humans or animals as they could trip and injure themselves.

Initially confined to the Upper and Mid-South regions, groundhogs have broadened their territory in recent times, reaching as far south as central Alabama and northern Mississippi. "People frequently confuse them with beavers or nutria when they encounter these animals for the first time," explains Anderson.

Meet The Expert

• Sheldon Owen , Ph.D., who serves as a wildlife extension specialist at West Virginia University.
• Wesley Anderson , Ph.D., serves as an assistant professor at Auburn University and acts as a wildlife extension specialist for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Related: Ways to Discourage Raccoons, As Explained by an Authority

Identifying Groundhogs

Groundhogs are large rodents , with a weight of around 14 pounds and a length of up to 2 feet. These animals feature thick bodies covered in gray-brown or gray-red fur, possess short legs, clawed feet, and a small, bushy tail. Similar to other rodents, they have prominent front teeth.

Woodchucks tend to reside close to meadows, at the borders of forests, beside roadways, within unoccupied sections of residential zones, or beneath porches and buildings. The area they inhabit usually spans between half an acre to two-and-a-half acres, varying according to how much rivalry exists with their peers and based on the accessibility of nourishment, as mentioned by Owen.

You might notice the primary openings to their tunnels, measuring between 10 to 12 inches across. These tunnel networks can extend up to 30 feet long, featuring several entry points, according to Owen. If these thickset creatures get alarmed, they emit a sharp whistle—hence one of their nicknames! —before swiftly plunging into the closest opening.

Active primarily during daylight hours, groundhogs seldom venture far from their secure burrows when searching for food. According to Anderson, if you spot a woodchuck on your land, chances are it resides closeby. Additionally, they tend to stay put as long as there’s plenty of sustenance available in your garden.

Ways to Eliminate Groundhogs

Whether or not you believe groundhogs can predict spring’s arrival (they’re actually not very good at it, with one study finding they have about a 50 percent success rate!), these voracious rodents can take a toll on your garden in a hurry. Here’s how to discourage them from making your garden an all-you-can-eat buffet:

• Identify the culprit . Install a trail camera if you haven't spotted a woodchuck and are unsure about the source of the destruction, advises Anderson.
• Fence your garden. According to Owen, this is the benchmark for deterring woodchucks. Since they excel at both climbing and burrowing, ensure your fence stands 3 feet high; add a portion of about 9 to 12 inches curved inward at the top in an L-shape directed away from the garden area. Additionally, bury part of the fence around 12 inches deep or have a segment bent outward below ground level to thwart their digging efforts. Employ 2-inch mesh fencing to stop younger woodchucks from slipping through.
• Consider an electric wire. According to Anderson, a single strand of electric fence wire positioned about 4 to 5 inches above the ground can effectively deter animals without causing harm.
• Try repellents. They aren't very effective," Owen states. "Still, it won't harm to give them a shot. Simply don't depend solely on them.
• Utilize a 2-inch woven wire fence to block access underneath porches and decks. If you're encountering problems with groundhogs digging beneath buildings, you might try preventing their entry using fences or cinder blocks, as suggested by Owen. Ensure though that no groundhog is currently present underneath.
• Consider using scare devices, For instance, a motion-activated garden sprinkler that blasts the creature with water could be used. However, you must continually relocate this device since a woodchuck will disregard it once it realizes there’s no real threat, according to Anderson.
• Disregard sonic gadgets, crucial oils, animal droppings, and human strands. Owen states that they haven't demonstrated their effectiveness.
• Avoid trapping and relocating groundhogs somewhere else. In most states, this practice is against the law, and it's also considered inhumane since animals frequently perish from inadequate resources or stress, according to Anderson.
• To deal with troublesome groundhogs, you might have to bring in a professional who handles problematic wild animals for their removal.

Are Groundhogs Dangerous?

Woodchucks indeed harbor parasites, like fleas and ticks Similar to all mammals, they too can contract rabies. Furthermore, despite their tendency to be startled quickly and preferring flight over confrontation, they will protect themselves when trapped. "Their sizable front teeth and powerful claws, which aid them in burrowing, enable them to inflict significant harm on a dog through bites and scratches," explains Owen.

Do Groundhogs Hibernate?

One of the few mammal species that undergoes hibernation includes groundhogs. During late summer and early autumn, groundhogs begin eating voraciously to get ready for their winter sleep. hibernation When a groundhog loses up to 30 percent of its body weight, typically during certain periods, it retreats into its burrow as autumn progresses. As winter approaches, their metabolic rate decreases significantly. These animals rely on stored fat accumulated throughout the year to sustain them through the colder months. Groundhogs usually emerge from hibernation around February or March, which coincides with the beginning of mating season, according to Anderson.

Related: How to Eliminate Skunks from Your Yard, Say Experts

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