How to Keep Groundhogs Away From Your Yard

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Are you tired of those pesky woodchucks also known as groundhogs consuming a large portion of your produce and making a mess out of your garden? Woodchucks have been known to eat at least a pound and a half of food a day. At this rate it will take them no time to wipe out your entire garden. Woodchucks can also disrupt the structural integrity of your yard when burrowing. Not only that, but these burrows can damage the roots of plants and make it difficult for people and animals to walk through the yard without slipping in a burrow when it’s near the surface. They cause damages to trees by stripping them of their bark to indicate their burrow’s entrance; which makes the trees more susceptible to diseases. With all of these problems you’ve just simply had enough and want to know how to get rid of them for good, right?



Eggs
It has been said that eggs turn the woodchucks away and keep them away for good. Yet there are no guarantees that this is true. If you know that you have woodchucks in your yard that are demolishing the plants, veggies and fruits in your garden, then you must locate the burrows. These shouldn’t be hard to find considering woodchucks like to make many of them. You would take an egg, crack it open over the burrow and cover the burrow with dirt. You are supposed to do this with every burrow until there aren’t anymore. Lasting up to 2 weeks, the groundhogs should be long gone. You shouldn’t have to perform this task again unless the burrows return. This solution offers short term results which leaves you spending more and more money to keep the woodchucks away.

Castor Oil
Castor oil is a repellant that is used to deter groundhogs as well. It works like the eggs where you’d place about a spoon full of castor oil into the burrows and seal them with dirt. You could also take ½ cup of castor oil and mix it with at least 2 cups of water. Once you have done this, place the mixture inside of a spray bottle. You can spray this mixture all around your garden and lawn to keep the woodchucks from nibbling on anything. You should repeat this every 2-3 weeks for it to keep the woodchucks from coming back. The problem with this is that you have to keep dishing out the dough for a solution that is not guaranteed and offers no permanent results.

Pepper
Now you know that you’ve heard the old folks talking about a little sprinkle of pepper will send the woodchucks a running. Supposedly, you can use any type of pepper to repel the groundhogs. It can be Cheyenne pepper, chili pepper or red pepper. Just sprinkle a bit into the burrow holes and hide them with dirt. If you want to treat your entire lawn, just mix 4 spoons of pepper and 2 cups of warm water together inside of a spray bottle. You can either repeat this step every 2-3 weeks or wait to find more burrows before reapplying it again. Although pepper is very inexpensive, if you have to buy extra pepper every 2-3 weeks for your lawn and your food, the money can certainly add up and who’s to say that the woodchucks won’t become immune and return anyway.

More information about groundhog repellent - analysis of types and effectiveness.

Fences
Many people have tried using mesh fences that have openings no more than an inch wide. You would place posts around the perimeter of your yard or garden about 8-10 feet away from each other. Along the fence line, you should then dig a trench that is about 1 foot deep. This should be done before you set the hardware. Now, take the wire and attach it to the posts but while still filling in the trench. This is supposed to keep the groundhogs from digging under the wire. This could be effective considering woodchucks can only dig about 5 feet deep, but you would need to pair this solution with trapping for it to guarantee the removal of the woodchucks.



Traps
To really rid your yard of all of the veggie stealing animals, you would need to catch and remove them first, then place a fence around your yard to keep any others from getting in. When you set a trap, you must first locate the groundhog’s burrows and seal all of them off except one. This will force the woodchuck to use the available one to escape. This is where you will set the trap. At the top of the trap door is a lock mechanism that has to be pushed up. After you have done this, push the bar that is U-shaped up against the door. Now, you can lift the door up and as you do the lock mechanism will be released. Place the trap 5 feet away from the woodchuck’s burrow with bait inside but behind the trap’s trip pan. You can use guide logs that will force the woodchuck to move towards the trap, but be sure to disguise with leaves and shrubs. Once the woodchuck has attempted to remove the bait, the door will lock it securely inside. This is the only way to get rid of a woodchuck for good, because you can locate him to another area away from your property.

More in-detail how-to groundhog removal articles:

Information about groundhog trapping - analysis and methods for how to trap.
Information about how to kill a groundhog - with poison or other methods.
Information about how to catch a groundhog - remove one stuck in the house.

This site is intended to provide education and information about how to keep groundhogs away from your house, yard, garden or shed, so that you can make an informed decision if you need to deal with a groundhog problem. This site provides many groundhog control articles and strategies, if you wish to attempt to solve the problem yourself. If you are unable to do so, which is likely with many cases of groundhog removal, please go to the home page and click the USA map, where I have wildlife removal experts listed in over 500 cites and towns, who can properly help you with keeping away groundhogs.

Click here to read more about how to get rid of groundhogs.

Groundhogs are a pest to most people. Like skunks and squirrels, they can be pretty bothersome and are part of the rodent family. They cater to the season and go into hibernation. When they are not in hibernation, their lifestyle can cause farmers and gardeners constant headaches. They love to dig numerous burrows with their sharp claws and create extensive tunnels. These claws can come in handy when they are fighting, which they are not afraid to do. When active, they make a chattering sound until they decide to rest in their tunnel.



Keeping Them Away
If you are not ready to share your property with them and enjoy their chattering, you will have to work hard on keeping them away. There are some ways that you can keep groundhogs away from your property. Some of these solutions are debatable, but it’s worth a try. What works for one may not work for another.

Find out more: The Trouble with Groundhogs

Alternatives
You may want to try an ultrasonic device. These devices are said to release sound waves to deter them away. The sound waves can be so intolerable that it causes them to run away. If you do not have electricity outdoors, some may operate with battery power. It’s advisable that you place these devices near the burrows, because the waves may be short range.

Another way to get rid of them is getting a fence. A vegetable garden can be protected with a wire mesh fence where groundhogs can’t penetrate. If you block off their food supply, they may not have the need to venture on your property. The fence should be well grounded so that the hogs won’t dig underneath it and enter your garden. It will also keep out other wildlife within similar size. You may want to get an electrical fence for better protection. It can be powered with either battery or solar power. It is geared to harm rodents and not people and is easily manageable and portable. Pets and children should be cautioned though.

If you prefer to start with an easier approach, check out chemical repellants. Make sure that you read the label, where it specifies that it will repel groundhogs. A repellant that states it is a general repellant of rodents may not have any effect on hogs. Sometimes store attendants may advise you on the best reviewed brands that work better than others. Some people may opt for homemade repellants, such as urine or used cat litter. Pet waste would normally do the trick. Using animal waste sound awful, but it is an effective solution and cheap. You don’t have to buy it.

Speaking of pets, they are another reliable way to keep groundhogs away. Cats and dogs are domesticated animals that pet lovers have and are a loyal companion. They often get rid of most yard pets including groundhogs. They are natural predators of rodents and easier for you to handle.

Read other educational articles that I wrote based on my years of professional experience. Learn what you should do if you find a nest of baby groundhogs and asome humane ways to kill a groundhog in a cage. Find out if the City or County Animal Services or a Pest Control Company will help with a groundhog issue. Learn about the groundhog's Diet, why they dig, what Diseases they carry, and their Mating Habits. Read to find out if you really need Professional Groundhog Control Services and even if groundhogs make good pets. Learn how to get groundogs Out From Under a Shed or Porch, learn how to determine if you have a Groundhog Digging, and find out some of the problems caused by groundhog digging.