The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as a woodchuck or whistle-pig, is a large rodent common across North America. These burrowing mammals are often considered a nuisance due to their habit of foraging and digging near human dwellings. For those who maintain backyard feeders, the question of whether groundhogs consume bird seed is common. As opportunistic herbivores, the answer is yes; they readily consume bird seed when the opportunity arises.
Why Groundhogs Target Bird Seed
Groundhogs are highly motivated to accumulate fat reserves, especially from late summer through fall, as they prepare for hibernation. Bird seed offers an easily accessible and highly concentrated source of the calories required for this preparation. The most appealing components of bird feed are the high-energy seeds mixed into common blends.
Seeds like black oil sunflower seeds and cracked corn are particularly attractive due to their high fat and carbohydrate content. Sunflower seeds provide a dense, nutrient-rich package that helps groundhogs rapidly increase their body weight before winter. This easily digestible food source represents a lower-effort meal compared to natural foraging. Seed that spills from feeders and accumulates on the ground acts as a clear, easy target for these mammals.
The Groundhog’s Natural Diet and Feeding Patterns
While bird seed is an appealing target, it is typically a secondary, opportunistic food source. Their primary diet consists overwhelmingly of succulent vegetation. Groundhogs are herbivores that graze on a wide variety of plants, including clover, alfalfa, dandelions, and grasses.
They are also known for consuming garden vegetables, such as beans, peas, and carrots, which provide nutrition and necessary moisture. Groundhogs rarely drink water, instead obtaining most hydration from the plants they eat. Their feeding activity is most concentrated in the early morning and late afternoon hours, allowing them to avoid midday heat and maximize foraging time.
Practical Methods for Groundhog Deterrence
Since groundhogs are attracted to the high-calorie nature of bird seed, a primary defense is eliminating the easy food source. Cleaning up spilled seed underneath feeders daily removes the main ground-level attractant. Consider switching to no-mess bird seed blends that contain hulled seeds, which prevents discarded shells from accumulating on the ground and deters other pests.
Physical exclusion is often the most effective long-term method for protecting an area from groundhogs, who are excellent diggers. Simple fencing must be buried at least 10 to 12 inches deep. The bottom portion should be bent into an “L” shape extending outward from the protected area. This underground apron discourages the groundhog from digging directly beneath the barrier.
For the bird feeder itself, installing a tall pole with a wide, cone-shaped baffle can prevent the groundhog from climbing to the seed reservoir.
Groundhogs possess a keen sense of smell, which can be leveraged using humane, scent-based repellents. Commercial repellents often contain ingredients like castor oil or capsaicin (hot pepper). These can be applied to the ground around the feeder area to create an unpleasant foraging environment. Placing granules soaked with predator urine (such as from a fox or coyote) near burrows can also create the illusion of danger and encourage the animal to relocate.