Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or whistle pigs, are large ground-dwelling rodents that can cause significant damage to gardens and other landscaped areas. They are known to dig burrows and eat a wide variety of plants, including vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
Symptoms
Symptoms of groundhog infestations in a garden can be both visible and subtle. Here are symptoms that may indicate a groundhog infestation:
- Large, irregularly shaped holes in the ground, usually around 2-3 feet in diameter and located near the base of trees, buildings or other structures, or at the edge of gardens, lawns, and fields
- Mounds of fresh dirt near the holes, which may be used for sunbathing or as lookout spots
- Damage to plants, including gnawed stems, leaves, and roots, as well as missing or partially eaten fruits and vegetables
- Burrows or dens, which are underground tunnels and chambers used for shelter and nesting, often located near the base of trees, buildings or other structures, or at the edge of gardens, lawns, and fields
- Damage to lawns, gardens, and other landscaped areas, as well as to retaining walls, foundations, and other structures caused by burrowing
- Presence of groundhog droppings, which are dark, cylindrical, and about 1/2 inch in diameter and 2 inches long
- Damage to the edges of gardens, lawns and fields, groundhogs are known to dig out large areas of soil.
- Presence of groundhogs during the day, as they are usually active during daylight hours
It is important to note that some of these symptoms can also be caused by other animals, such as moles, voles, and skunks, so it is important to properly identify the pest before attempting to control it.
What is a Groundhog
A groundhog, also known as a woodchuck or whistle pig, is a large ground-dwelling rodent that can be found throughout much of North America. They typically have the following physical characteristics:
- A stocky, heavy body: They have a thick and robust body, measuring around 25-35 inches in length and weighing between 6-15 pounds.
- Short, dark brown fur: Their fur is short and dense, and is usually a dark brown color.
- A distinctive white patch of fur on the chest: They have a large patch of white fur on their chest, which can be used to easily identify them.
- Long claws on their front paws: They have long, sharp claws on their front paws, which they use for digging burrows and foraging for food.
- A small, rounded head with small ears and eyes: Their head is small in proportion to their body and has small ears and eyes.
- A bushy tail: They have a bushy tail that is about 4-8 inches long, which is usually dark brown in color.
Groundhogs are also known to have a distinctive facial features, their face is chubby and round, with a dark brown mask around their eyes. They have large incisors, which they use to gnaw on plants and other materials.
It’s important to note that groundhogs can resemble other species of marmots such as the prairie dog, it is important to observe their physical characteristics and behavior to confirm if it is a groundhog.
Treating a Groundhog Infestation
It may be necessary to use multiple methods to effectively control a groundhog infestation. For example, exclusion methods may be used to prevent groundhogs from entering the area, trapping may be used to remove groundhogs that are already present, and repellents and habitat modification may be used to discourage groundhogs from returning. It is also important to remember that groundhogs are protected by law in some states, so it is important to check your local regulations before taking any action.
Exclusion
- Creating physical barriers such as fencing around the garden using wire mesh or hardware cloth buried underground to prevent groundhogs from entering. The fence should be at least 4 feet high and extend 12 inches underground to prevent digging.
- Installing metal flashing or metal sheeting around the base of buildings or other structures to prevent groundhogs from burrowing. This can be done by attaching the flashing or sheeting to the base of the structure with screws or nails and making sure it extends at least 12 inches underground.
- Closing off openings to burrows or dens using soil or rocks. This can be done by filling the openings with soil or rocks and making sure that the soil or rocks are firmly packed in place.
- Using repellents such as mothballs, ammonia-soaked rags, or predator urine to discourage groundhogs from entering the area. These repellents can be placed around the perimeter of the area to be protected.
Trapping
- Using live traps baited with fruits, vegetables, or other foods to capture groundhogs and relocate them to a more suitable habitat. These traps should be checked frequently and the captured groundhogs should be removed as soon as possible.
- Using kill traps such as body-gripping or leg-hold traps to humanely kill groundhogs. These traps should be placed in areas where groundhogs are active and should be checked frequently to ensure that captured animals are removed promptly.
- Monitoring traps regularly to ensure that captured animals are removed promptly.
Repellents
- Using repellents such as predator urine, ammonia-soaked rags, or hot pepper spray to discourage groundhogs from entering the area. These repellents can be placed around the perimeter of the area to be protected.
- Using repellent plants such as daffodils, alliums, or marigolds to repel groundhogs. These plants can be planted around the perimeter of the area to be protected.
Habitat modification
- Removing food sources such as gardens, fruits, and vegetables that may attract groundhogs. This can be done by fencing off gardens or other food sources, or by using repellents to discourage groundhogs from entering the area.
- Trimming back overgrown vegetation or brush that may provide cover for groundhogs. This can be done by mowing or trimming back overgrown vegetation or brush around the perimeter of the area to be protected.
- Maintaining a well-trimmed lawn to eliminate hiding places for groundhogs. This can be done by mowing the lawn regularly and removing any debris or other materials that may provide cover for groundhogs. It’s important to keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to groundhog infestations, and a combination of different methods may be required to effectively control the problem. It is also important to monitor the area and make any necessary adjustments to the control measures as needed.