Groundhogs (woodchucks) are large rodents that pose a significant challenge to property owners due to their extensive burrowing habits. These animals often construct complex tunnel systems that can damage building foundations, compromise sidewalks, and destroy garden landscapes. They are herbivores with a voracious appetite, capable of swiftly consuming vegetable gardens and ornamental plants. To address these issues safely and humanely, a multi-faceted strategy focusing on exclusion, environmental modification, and non-lethal deterrence is needed. This approach aims to make the property unappealing to the groundhog, encouraging it to relocate without causing harm.
Physical Barriers and Exclusion Techniques
The most reliable long-term strategy involves installing robust physical barriers. Groundhogs are exceptional diggers and climbers, requiring a specialized fencing design. A standard garden fence is generally insufficient because the animal will burrow underneath or climb over it.
Fences should be constructed from heavy-gauge wire mesh or hardware cloth with openings no larger than two or three inches. The above-ground portion of the fence should stand at least three feet high to discourage climbing. To counter the groundhog’s instinct to dig, the fence material must extend deep into the soil.
This underground portion should be buried a minimum of 10 to 12 inches deep and bent outward at a 90-degree angle, forming an L-footer. This horizontal apron should extend outward for at least another foot, creating a barrier the groundhog encounters when attempting to dig under the fence line. When the animal begins to dig, the wire mesh apron acts as a ceiling, deterring excavation.
Protecting structures like decks, sheds, or porches requires similar underground wire mesh skirting. The mesh should be secured firmly to the base of the structure and buried with the L-footer apron facing away from the protected area. This method ensures that the structure remains inaccessible, preventing the groundhog from establishing a burrow beneath it. For longevity, galvanized or stainless steel mesh is recommended, particularly in moist soil conditions.
Deterring Groundhogs with Sensory Repellents
Sensory repellents exploit the groundhog’s sensitive sense of smell and taste, making the treated area undesirable for foraging. These methods offer a temporary solution and are best used with exclusion techniques, especially for protecting garden beds. DIY options utilize strong, pungent natural ingredients that animals find irritating.
Applying a mixture containing capsaicin, the compound in cayenne pepper, deters groundhogs from eating treated plants. Other strong scents, such as crushed garlic or castor oil mixed with water, can be sprayed around garden perimeters and burrow entrances. When groundhogs encounter these substances, the unpleasant taste or odor encourages them to seek food elsewhere.
Commercial repellents are available, often formulated with sulfur compounds or ingredients designed to mimic predator scents, such as fox or coyote urine. These products rely on the groundhog’s innate fear response to potential predators. Regardless of the repellent used, frequent reapplication is necessary, particularly after rainfall or irrigation, because active ingredients quickly dissipate.
Eliminating Property Attractants
Preventative environmental management effectively reduces the likelihood of a groundhog taking up residence on a property. Groundhogs are attracted to areas providing readily available food sources and secure shelter. By removing these elements, the property becomes less appealing to them.
Food attractants should be managed by promptly clearing fallen fruit from trees and bushes. Vegetable garden remnants and debris should be removed immediately after harvest to eliminate easy meals. Compost piles, which serve as both a food source and a potential burrow site, must be contained in secure, closed bins rather than open heaps.
Modifying the landscape to eliminate potential cover is beneficial. Groundhogs seek out dense, low-lying cover for protection while they forage and when establishing new burrows. Clearing brush piles, removing stacked lumber, and keeping grass mowed short around the edges of the property reduces the availability of sheltered areas. This cleanup makes the groundhog feel exposed, encouraging relocation to a more secure area.
Evicting Groundhogs from Established Burrows
When a groundhog has established a burrow, the primary goal is to safely encourage it to leave before permanently sealing the tunnels. The first step involves confirming the burrow is occupied by placing a light obstruction, such as crumpled newspaper or a dusting of flour, at the main entrance. If the obstruction remains undisturbed for 24 hours, the burrow may be inactive.
If the burrow is active, strong-smelling substances create an uninhabitable environment. Rags soaked in household ammonia placed deep inside the burrow entrance can force the animal to move out due to noxious fumes. However, this method requires caution and may only provide a temporary solution, as odor dissipates quickly. The use of mothballs outdoors is discouraged and illegal in many jurisdictions due to their classification as a pesticide that can contaminate soil and water.
After the groundhog has been evicted, the burrow must be filled with soil and rock, and covered with an L-footer apron of wire mesh to prevent re-entry. It is important to ensure the animal, and any potential offspring, are out before sealing the entrance, especially during the spring and early summer when young are present. For complex or persistent issues, consulting a local wildlife control professional is advisable, as they know local regulations and humane trapping methods.