Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are common burrowing rodents found across North America. Their presence often raises questions about their chewing habits, particularly whether they chew on wooden structures and why.
Why Groundhogs Chew Wood
Like all rodents, groundhogs possess continuously growing incisors. These four chisel-shaped front teeth, two upper and two lower, can grow at a rate of approximately 1/16 of an inch each week. To manage this continuous growth and prevent them from becoming overgrown, groundhogs must constantly gnaw and chew on various materials. This natural behavior wears down their teeth, keeping them at a functional length.
This chewing serves not only as a dental maintenance activity but also for other behavioral purposes. Groundhogs may chew on wood as a form of exploration or even to mark their territory. While their primary diet consists of vegetation such as grasses, clover, and garden plants, they will also consume tree bark, especially if other food sources are scarce, such as early in spring. They are known to chew on various wooden items they encounter in their environment. This includes fences, deck posts, and the bark of trees as part of their natural gnawing behavior or in search of food.
Damage from Groundhog Wood Chewing
Groundhog chewing habits can cause significant damage to human property. They frequently target wooden structures like decks, sheds, and fences in yards and around homes. Gnawing can compromise their structural integrity over time.
Groundhogs also chew tree bark, a process known as girdling. When they remove a complete ring of bark around a tree’s circumference, it can effectively kill the tree by interrupting the flow of nutrients and water. Beyond wooden structures, groundhogs may chew underground utility lines, including water, cable, and electrical wires, causing service disruptions. Their extensive burrowing systems, which can span up to 50 feet, can undermine building foundations, driveways, and other hardscapes, leading to instability or collapse.
How to Prevent Wood Chewing
Preventing groundhogs from chewing wooden structures involves physical barriers and habitat modification. Installing sturdy physical barriers around vulnerable wooden items is effective. This includes burying wire mesh, like galvanized hardware cloth, at least one foot deep and extending it outwards in an “L” shape from the base of structures like decks or sheds.
Fences to deter groundhogs should be three to six feet tall, made of heavy-gauge wire, and buried 10 to 12 inches underground to prevent burrowing. Bending the top 12 inches of the fence outwards at a 45-degree angle can discourage climbing. Reducing attractants by keeping vegetation trimmed and removing fallen fruit can also make an area less appealing to groundhogs. For persistent issues, consulting professional wildlife control services may be necessary.