The groundhog, also known as the woodchuck (Marmota monax), is a large North American rodent frequently encountered near woodlands and open fields. These animals are herbivores with a hearty appetite, consuming up to a pound of vegetation daily during their active seasons. Groundhogs are highly attracted to cantaloupe and will readily consume it if given the opportunity. The sweet smell and high moisture content of the fruit make it an extremely desirable food source for them.
The Groundhog’s Primary Diet
Groundhogs primarily sustain themselves on a diet of wild vegetation, making them true herbivores. Their natural foraging focuses on low-growing, succulent plants like wild grasses, clover, and alfalfa. They also consume common weeds such as dandelions and sheep sorrel, which are often among the first items they eat in early spring.
This natural diet supplies the groundhog with the necessary nutrients and moisture, as they rarely drink standing water. They obtain their required liquids from the juices within the plants they eat, supplemented by dew or rain on the leaves. They spend a considerable portion of their day foraging near their burrows, which are typically established where these food sources are abundant.
Cantaloupe and Other Fruits: An Opportunistic Treat
Cantaloupe is particularly appealing to groundhogs because it offers a dense source of calories, sugar, and moisture. The powerful, sweet aroma of the ripe melon is very effective at drawing the animals in from a distance, which is why it is often cited as the best bait for live traps. The high water content also allows them to rapidly replenish fluids, especially during the dry summer months.
Groundhogs are opportunistic feeders and will readily exploit garden crops for this caloric boost. As summer progresses, they enter a period of hyperphagia, or excessive eating, to build up fat reserves for their long winter hibernation. During this time, they prioritize sugary produce over their usual leafy greens.
This desire for sweet and juicy foods extends to other garden fruits and vegetables. They will also target garden vegetables such as:
- Watermelon
- Honeydew
- Squash
- Berries
- Beans
- Peas
- Carrots
- Corn
They often cut down entire rows of plants to access the most palatable parts. A single groundhog can consume over a pound of vegetation in a day, making the loss of ripe produce in a garden quite significant.
Managing Groundhogs and Food Attractants
To prevent groundhogs from being drawn to cultivated food sources like cantaloupe, exclusion is the most effective method. Standard garden fences are insufficient because groundhogs are skilled burrowers and climbers. An effective fence should be constructed of heavy-gauge wire, standing at least three feet high.
The fence must be buried at least 10 to 12 inches deep, with the bottom six inches bent into an L-shape facing outward from the garden. This subterranean barrier prevents the groundhog from successfully tunneling directly under the fence and gaining access to the food inside.
Beyond physical barriers, eliminating food attractants is a necessary management strategy. Gardeners should harvest all produce as soon as it ripens, including cantaloupe and other melons. All fallen fruit, vegetable scraps, and debris must be regularly cleaned up and removed from the garden area. This practice reduces the lingering scent of sweet, decaying material that signals an easy meal to a nearby groundhog.
Taste and scent deterrents can also be used to make the garden less appealing to the animals. Strong-smelling substances like cayenne pepper, garlic, or commercial repellents containing castor oil can be sprinkled or sprayed around the garden perimeter. The use of motion-activated sprinklers can also startle groundhogs, discouraging them from foraging in the area.