Woodchucks (groundhogs) are large rodents that damage lawns, gardens, and structural foundations through feeding and burrowing. As herbivores, their diet includes garden vegetables, flowers, and clover, drawing them into cultivated areas. Their extensive tunnel systems, often marked by mounds of excavated dirt, can undermine sidewalks, porches, and sheds. To protect property and plants, non-lethal strategies focusing on physical exclusion, sensory deterrence, and habitat management are the most effective approach.
Securing Property with Physical Barriers
The most reliable method for deterring woodchucks involves installing a physical barrier, primarily fencing. Since woodchucks are proficient climbers and dedicated burrowers, a simple above-ground fence is insufficient. The barrier must address both behaviors simultaneously for maximum effectiveness.
A robust fence should stand three to four feet high to prevent climbing. Use heavy-gauge galvanized wire mesh, with openings no larger than two to three inches, to ensure durability. To discourage climbing, the top 12 inches of the fence can be left unsecured to the posts, allowing it to flop outward when a woodchuck attempts to scale it.
The critical element of the exclusion fence is the underground apron, often called an L-shaped footer, which prevents burrowing. This requires burying the fencing material 10 to 12 inches deep into the soil. At the bottom, the mesh should be bent outward at a 90-degree angle, extending horizontally away from the protected area for another 12 inches. This horizontal segment ensures a woodchuck attempting to dig under the fence will immediately encounter the mesh barrier.
Specific areas beneath decks, porches, and sheds also require protection, as these are appealing den sites. Install heavy-duty hardware cloth or wire mesh around the perimeter. This barrier must be sunk into the ground with the same L-shaped apron configuration to prevent tunneling under the structure.
Utilizing Scent and Taste Repellents
Repellents exploit the woodchuck’s sense of smell and taste, making an area undesirable for foraging or habitation. Commercial products utilize ingredients that create a strong sensory reaction, such as putrefied egg solids, capsaicin, or predator urine. Predator scents, like those from foxes or coyotes, create the illusion of danger, encouraging the woodchuck to seek safer territory.
DIY remedies leverage strong odors to deter woodchucks from feeding areas and burrow entrances. Crushed garlic, cayenne pepper, or ammonia-soaked rags placed near burrow openings and garden perimeters are common approaches. The strong smell causes the animal to avoid the treated space.
For repellents to be effective, consistency and proper application are necessary. Granular products should be spread in a continuous band around the protected area, while liquid sprays are applied directly to vulnerable foliage. Reapplication is frequently required, especially after rain or heavy watering, which washes away the active ingredients.
Modifying the Landscape to Deter Woodchucks
Long-term deterrence involves making the environment less hospitable by removing attractive food sources and shelter. Woodchucks are drawn to properties offering easy access to their preferred diet, including clover, alfalfa, peas, and garden vegetables. Harvesting produce as soon as it ripens and promptly removing fallen fruit significantly reduces the area’s food appeal.
Woodchucks prefer to travel and burrow in areas with sufficient cover. Maintaining a short lawn and eliminating overgrown vegetation around foundations, sheds, and potential den sites increases their exposure to predators, making the location feel insecure. Removing debris piles, such as stacks of lumber or brush, eliminates easy shelter and potential havens.
If a woodchuck has been repelled or relocated, address the abandoned burrow system to prevent reinfestation. After confirming the tunnel is empty, fill the entrance and main tunnels with coarse gravel, rock, or compacted soil. This eliminates a ready-made home for a new woodchuck.