Summary
Groundhogs , often called groundhog , earth pig , and whistle squealer are thelargest phallus of the squirrel class . These over - sized rodents are notorious for digging across-the-board underground tunnel systems , and are also esurient - eaters , known to devour entire vegetable gardens . They can eat a whopping1½ pounds of vegetationa twenty-four hour period !
While they can be difficult toeliminate from your yard , there are several safe and effective ways to discourage thesepests . Learnhow to repel woodchuck , with some of the bestgarden hacksforpest control .
What Exactly Are Groundhogs?
Large squirrels, popular for predicting when spring begins
Groundhogs ( Marmota monax),related to earth squirrel and marmot , in the familySciuridae , are in the orderRodentia . The vernacular name woodchuck , come from the Cree Amerind word , " wuchak . " These large rodents ( big than an average theatre cat ) raise to alength of 16 to 27 inches and librate between 4 and 14 pounds . male are typically larger than females , and like other rodents , they have two large upper incisor teeth that continuously grow . Groundhogs have brown fur , curved pincer , and a level bushy fanny . Despite living underground , they are also good climber and capable of scaling a fencing .
While their mess may look similar to a vole ormole hole , they are much larger , with a diam of 10 to 12 inches , ( compared to around 1 to 2 inches for avole or mole yap ) . You are also more likely to see a groundhog in your garden . Their eating habits also cause a bad headache for gardeners . Favorite food for thought include trefoil and alfalfa , but they also like pea , beans , Brassica oleracea italica , cultivated carrot top side , and lettuce . They will also consume flower like lilies , marigolds , pansies , and even eat at on the trunks of yield Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
Their underground burrow system are quitecomplex with separate living and latrine areas(i.e . washroom ) . While there is one main entry , there may beup to 11 entrances , and the tunnels may be upwards of 45 groundwork in length . Since theyhibernate during the winter months ( from about October to March ) , they swear on fatty stores that they accumulate by eating from springtime to settle . Groundhogs are also solitary tool , only coming together briefly to mate . The vernal go out on their own to discover their own dens at five to six week of age .
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While woodchuck are generally consideredpests , their underground burrow help to aerate and fertilize the grime and their abandoned burrows are often used by other creatures .
1Install Barriers for Garden Protection
The best way to keep them out is a physical fence
Are you wonderinghow to repel groundhogsfrom youryard ? One of the most effective methods ofpest controlfor groundhogs is roadblock around the perimeter of your backyard and garden .
Since woodchuck are also adequate climber , consider attaching a deterrent to the top of the fence as well . Garden literary hack include leaving the last 12 inches at the top of the fencing free-swimming and floppy , facing away from the garden . That style , when the Marmota monax tries to climb the top of the fencing , its free weight will push it back .
If you think you have an abandoned burrow , property hay or strew over the entrance hole . If it ’s still in place three to four days later , it ’s safe to assume that the groundhog has make a motion on . In this case , dig a 1 - foot deep around the hole and secure metal conducting wire screening beneath the ground in an " L " shape , and then cover it up . This should stop any new Marmota monax or otherpestsmaking it a new home .
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To help protect your works , cover them with milk jugs with the bottom cut off , or works protection net and covers from the garden heart and soul .
2Introduce Natural Predators
How to repel groundhogs with your pets
A peculiarly effective method ofnatural pest controlfor woodchuck that is helpful for foresightful - term control is predator . Dogs , Canis latrans , foxes , bobcats , owls , eagles , and hawk are all marauder . Bringing a heel into the family may be a way to motivate the groundhog to move on to another tunnel . Orletting your bounder or friend ’s dog roam your grand , will also help to spread out their aroma , which may frighten your undesirable guest .
However , be cautious of confrontations with your dog as groundhogs can carry madness , ticking , and fleas . In summation , some dog like to dig to get to the groundhog , which may damage youryard .
Othergarden hacksinclude using dirty kitty bedding , hotdog poop , and human hair near their tunnel ; anything that leaves a lingering scent of marauder . For those in rural area , and if regulations in your region allow it , there are ways to encourage predators , such as barn bird of night , to shop your property . To pull barn owls to take care of yourpests , create a cartoon strip of grassland , build a nesting expanse , or put out food . In addition , plant Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrubs such as American Elderberry , Crabapples Tree , or Balsam Fir to bring a mixture of wildlife to your 1000 .
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Due to many predators , the average lifespan of a groundhog in the wilderness is two to three years .
3Scare Devices
Try motion detectors, scarecrows, and pinwheels
Groundhogs frighten easily , and one of the bestgarden hacksforhow to push back groundhogsfrom your garden is to convert them that it ’s a chilling berth . In addition to you and your pets ' presence in theyard , apparent movement detectors , like luminosity , consternation , or sprinkler around the border of your gardens is another method ofpest control .
The best sentence of the year to encourage Marmota monax to pass on their burrows is tardy summer or former fall . Earlier in the spring , they are probable with their young . So , while you’re able to still shoo them off from your garden , it ’s better to wait until mid - summer before you evict them from under your garage , shed , or deck . Shining a bright light or blast a radionear the entrance of the tunnel may also motivate them to find a home elsewhere .
Since groundhog are most active in the early sunrise and evening hours , visiting your garden during these times can help to scare them aside .
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4Plant Aromatic Herbs
How to repel groundhogs with gardening
For morefun garden hacks , contain herbs into your gardento repel groundhogs and otherpestsfrom youryard . Use strong reek herb like :
These smells are often offensive to groundhog , making them a greatpest controloption . Plant these strategically around the perimeter of your garden bed to convert them to nibble elsewhere . If you are judge to encourage the Marmota monax to abandon their burrow , you may also want totry planting these around the entryway or exit . In addition to the scent , the reduced visibility around their home may also make them sense uneasy .
Except basil , many of these herb are intrepid perennial , meaning you should only have to constitute them once , and then you may bask their fragrant olfactory property and pest - deterring properties for year .
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5Scatter Epsom Salts in the Garden
An organic solution to repel pests from your yard
Groundhogs ( as well as squirrels ) really dislike the taste ofepsom salts , so this is a greatpest controlmethod to deter thesepestsfrom youryard . just splosh the saltiness in or near their hollow and around your garden .
Epsom salt is also agood source of magnesium , but it ’s important to only use it in the garden if your grime is low in Mg . Complete a soil test to confirm nutrient deficiencies before using epsom salt in your garden .
6Try Using Blood Meal
A nitrogen-rich pest control method
In summation to being afantastic organic fertilizer , blood repast can also repel a number ofpests , include squirrels , rabbit , and groundhogs . The smell is a deterrent , so sprinkle it around your garden , or near their burrows . The high nitrogen content makes it an first-class improver to the garden !
For optimum results , get for about 2 pound of line meal for every 100 straight substructure of garden space .
7Apply Stinky Sprays
Scents that rodents hate and avoid
Discover the bestgarden hacksforhow to repulse groundhogswith stinky sprays . Since scents are a vulgar way to deter groundhog from youryard , there are several simple sprays you’re able to make and use of goods and services at home . Castor petroleum , cayenne pepper , and essential crude are mutual ingredients to use as repellent sprays .
For pest control , shake one of these mixtures up in a atomizer bottle and spray them at the entrances to their burrows , around your garden , and on the leaves of vulnerable plants . These sprays are safe for plant , and can even help to discourage otherpestslike aphid , wanderer mites , and white fly .
8Try Your Hand at Trapping
Attempt other control strategies before attempting trapping
As a last resort hotel forhow to push back groundhogsthat are refusing to go away youryard , you may require to regard trap and releasing . Always undertake other pest control method acting first , as live trapping and relocate animals causes a heap of focus and sometimes injury , and even inadvertent end .
lay with child live traps near the entrances to their tunnel and ride them withapple slices , broccoli , or lettuce . control the sand trap often and cover it with a blanket during transport to keep the woodchuck calm . Relocate them to a field , hayfield , or wooded area .
Check local regulations first , as it is illegal to trap and publish live animals in some region .
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Co-Existing With Groundhogs
Groundhogs may look cute , but they can wreak havoc in the garden andyard . For those searching forhow to repel groundhogsfrom the backyard , there are severalpest controlstrategies you could try . From barriers and predators , to scare gadget and smelly plants and sprays , there are manygarden hacksto deter thesepests .
Groundhogs are also an important part of the ecosystem , oxygenise and fertilizing the filth . It is possible to co - exist with them , while also encouraging them to stay out of your garden . Once you convince them to crunch on your blowball and clover instead of your leafy green , you are sure to be life - long friends .
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