The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck, is a widespread North American rodent known for its burrowing habits and significant appetite. As temperatures warm, these mammals emerge from hibernation and begin feeding, often targeting residential lawns and cultivated vegetable patches. Understanding the specific habits of this common garden raider is the first step toward safeguarding a season’s harvest.
Knowing Your Garden Intruder
Identifying the culprit as a groundhog, or Marmota monax, rather than a rabbit or squirrel is important for choosing the correct control method. Groundhogs are stout, stocky rodents with short, powerful legs and long, curved claws, built expertly for digging. An adult typically weighs between 4 and 14 pounds, has a grizzled grayish-brown coat, and possesses prominent chisel-shaped incisors.
The most telling sign of a groundhog’s presence is the large, obvious burrow entrance, usually marked by a conspicuous mound of excavated dirt at the main opening. These complex underground systems can run horizontally for 15 to 25 feet and feature multiple entrances, though the primary hole is often up to 12 inches in diameter. Unlike the smaller, less noticeable holes left by voles or gophers, a groundhog burrow is a substantial structure built near cover, such as along fence rows, under sheds, or at the edge of a garden.
Are Cucumbers a Groundhog Favorite
Groundhogs are herbivores capable of consuming up to a pound and a half of vegetation in a single day. Their diet consists almost entirely of plant material, meaning any cultivated garden represents an easy, high-calorie food source. The answer to whether they eat cucumbers is a definitive yes, as these plants are particularly attractive due to their high water content and tender leaves.
Cucurbits, the plant family that includes cucumbers, squash, and melons, are often targeted by groundhogs. They consume both the fruit and the tender foliage, which can quickly defoliate a plant and halt its ability to produce a harvest. Groundhogs also favor young greens and legumes like lettuce, cabbage, peas, and green beans.
They are also known to consume broccoli, carrot tops, and various clovers and alfalfas, preferring the most succulent, easily digestible growth available. Groundhogs primarily feed during the day, making them a visible threat when they emerge from their burrows in the early morning and late afternoon hours.
Essential Steps for Protecting Your Produce
The most effective strategy for preventing groundhog damage is exclusion, which involves installing a physical barrier around the vulnerable garden area. Since groundhogs can both climb and burrow, a simple, straight fence is not enough to deter them. The barrier must be at least 3 feet high to prevent climbing.
The base of the fence requires meticulous installation to stop tunneling underneath the perimeter. You must bury the wire mesh at least 12 inches deep into the soil to block subterranean access. Crucially, the buried portion should be bent outward, away from the garden, in an “L” shape for another 12 to 18 inches before being covered with dirt. This outward-facing apron prevents the groundhog from digging directly down at the fence line.
For the fencing material, use a sturdy wire mesh with openings no larger than three-quarters of an inch to ensure they cannot squeeze through. Beyond physical barriers, cultural practices can reduce the area’s attractiveness. Removing brush piles, tall weeds, and woodpiles eliminates potential hiding spots and secondary burrow locations, making the garden less hospitable.
Motion-activated deterrents, such as sprinklers or visual stimuli like pinwheels, can startle the animals and discourage repeated visits. Scent-based repellents containing ingredients like essential oils, garlic, or pepper can also be applied to the perimeter or non-edible foliage to create an unpleasant taste or odor barrier.