Here’s how you can prevent groundhogs from invading your property and yard.
Regardless of whether they're known as woodchucks, whistle pigs, ground pigs, or groundhogs, these sizable ground squirrels can become quite bothersome in your lawn and garden. "These animals consume what is both accessible and rich in nutrients," explains Sheldon Owen, PhD, who serves as a wildlife extension specialist. 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.
Groundhogs live in an extensive underground system. “They are fantastic burrowers,” says Wesley Anderson, PhD, assistant professor at 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 hazard to humans or animals as they could trip and injure themselves, possibly breaking their legs.
Initially confined to the Upper and Mid-South regions, groundhogs have extended their habitat in recent times all the way down to central Alabama and northern Mississippi. "Many people mistake them for beavers or nutrias when they first see one," 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 Suggested by an Authority
Identifying Groundhogs
Groundhogs are large rodents , weighing up to about 14 pounds and measuring up to 2 feet long. They have gray-brown or gray-red fur on stout bodies, short legs, clawed feet, and a small brushy tail. Like all rodents, they have large incisors
Groundhogs prefer to live near pastures, along the edges of woods, along roadsides, near undeveloped areas of neighborhoods, or under sheds or structures. Their home range is anywhere from a ½ acre to 2.5 acres, depending on competition from others and the availability of food, says 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 and include several entry points, according to Owen. If these short-bodied creatures sense danger, they emit a sharp whistle—a reason for one of their nicknames—before swiftly plunging into the closest opening.
During daylight hours, groundhogs seldom venture far from their secure dens to search for food. According to Anderson, if you spot a woodchuck on your land, chances are it resides closeby. Moreover, they tend to stay put as long as there’s ample sustenance available in your garden.
Ways to Eliminate Groundhogs
Regardless of whether you think groundhogs can forecastspring’s coming (in reality, they aren’t particularly accurate at it, as one study Finding they typically achieve only about a 50 percent success rate with their efforts), these ravenous rodents can quickly cause significant damage to your garden. Here are some strategies to prevent them from turning your garden into an unrestricted food source:
- 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. This is the gold standard for keeping woodchucks out, says Owen. They are excellent climbers and diggers, so your fence must be 3 feet tall, with a 9 to 12-inch section bent over at the top away in an L-shape facing away from the garden and 12 inches buried underground or a section bent outward at the bottom to discourage digging. Use 2-inch woven wire to prevent young woodchucks from squeezing through.
- Consider an electric wire. According to Anderson, a single strand of electric fence wire positioned about 4 to 5 inches off the ground can effectively deter animals without causing harm.
- Try repellents. Owen states, "Their efficacy is dubious, but testing them won’t cause harm. Simply avoid depending 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 them from entering the space using fences or cinder blocks, according to Owen. Ensure first that no animals are currently underneath.
- Consider using scare devices, such as a motion-activated garden sprayer, which shoots the animal with a burst of water. But you’ll need to keep moving it because once a woodchuck figures out there’s nothing to fear, it will ignore it, says Anderson.
- Forget about sonic devices, essential oils, pet waste, and human hair. They have not been shown to be effective, says Owen.
- Do not trap and release groundhogs elsewhere. In most states, this practice is against the law, and it’s also not humane since animals frequently perish from inadequate resources or stress, according to Anderson.
- To deal with bothersome groundhogs, you might have to bring in a professional who specializes in problematic wild animals for their extraction.
Are Groundhogs Dangerous?
Woodchucks indeed harbor parasites, like fleas and ticks Similar to other mammals, they too can contract rabies. Furthermore, despite their tendency to be startled quickly and prefer fleeing over fighting, they will protect themselves when trapped. "Their sizable incisors and robust claws, which they use for burrowing, make them capable of inflicting significant harm on a dog through bites and scratches," explains Owen.
Do Groundhogs Hibernate?
Groundhogs are one of the few mammals that do hibernate. In late summer and early fall, groundhogs start chowing down even more vigorously to prepare themselves for 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. Throughout the colder months, they rely on stored fat reserves for survival. Groundhogs usually emerge from hibernation around February or March, which marks the beginning of mating season, according to Anderson.
Related: How to Eliminate Skunks from Your Yard, Say Experts
For more Southern Living news, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter!
Read the initial article on Southern Living .
Post a Comment