Groundhogs are destructive herbivores that frequently target and consume cucumber plants. These large rodents view the tender leaves, stems, and developing fruits of cucurbits as a readily available food source. Their voracious appetite means a single groundhog can rapidly devastate an entire cucumber patch, establishing them as a common garden pest across their North American range.
The Groundhog Diet
Groundhogs primarily eat green vegetation, often consuming up to a pound and a half of plant material daily. They have a particular fondness for plants that offer high water content and tender foliage, which makes cucumber plants, along with squash and melons, exceptionally appealing. This feeding behavior is especially pronounced during the summer and early fall as they strive to accumulate fat reserves for their annual hibernation period.
Beyond cucumber plants, groundhogs readily consume a variety of other cultivated and wild plants, including alfalfa, clover, and dandelions. In the garden, they frequently target peas, beans, corn, and leafy greens like lettuce and cabbage. They occasionally supplement their diet with insects like grasshoppers or June bugs, though their main focus remains consuming large volumes of vegetation.
Identifying the Culprit
When garden damage occurs, confirming the pest is a groundhog is important, as control methods vary significantly from those used for rabbits or deer. Groundhogs typically consume plants rapidly and completely, often biting cleanly through the stem to eat the entire above-ground portion. This contrasts with rabbits, which tend to clip plants at a lower height, or deer, which leave ragged, torn edges on stems and leaves.
The most conclusive evidence of a groundhog presence is their burrow system. Groundhogs are exceptional diggers; their main entrance is a large hole, typically 8 to 12 inches in diameter, often found near structures, rock piles, or under sheds. This primary entrance is usually marked by a significant mound of excavated soil. The burrows sometimes extend up to 50 feet in length and 6 feet deep, featuring multiple secondary entrances, or “plunge holes,” that serve as emergency escape routes.
You may also observe their tracks, which show four clawed toes on the front paws and five on the back, often with the front paw print immediately followed by the rear track. Locating these burrows confirms that a groundhog is responsible for the vanishing cucumber plants.
Exclusion and Repellents
Physical exclusion is the most reliable method for protecting a garden from groundhogs, as their ability to climb and dig must be addressed. A proper exclusion fence must use heavy-gauge wire mesh with small openings, such as a 1×1 inch or 2×2 inch grid. For the above-ground portion, the fence should stand at least three feet high to prevent climbing.
To deter tunneling, the fence must be extended underground by burying a section of the wire mesh. A depth of at least 12 inches is recommended, with the buried portion bent outward at a 90-degree angle, forming an L-shaped apron. This apron should extend horizontally for a minimum of one foot away from the garden, forcing any groundhog attempting to dig under the fence to encounter the mesh barrier.
While physical barriers are the best defense, repellents can serve as a supplementary deterrent. Repellents often rely on ingredients like capsaicin (hot pepper wax) or castor oil, which create unpleasant tastes or odors. These non-toxic products should be applied directly to the foliage or near burrow entrances to discourage feeding. Repellents require frequent reapplication, particularly after rain or watering, to maintain their effectiveness.