Their bodies are compact and chunky, and covered in brownish gray fur with a short tail. preparation, others were fairly easy to implement. On the surface, they appear innocent, almost disarmingly cute with their black face masks and fluffy tails, but the reality is that they are formidable enemies who will stop at nothing to get what they want. Wash the interior and exterior of your trash cans with a bleach solution every few weeks to get rid of food odors. Groundhogs have babies from late winter until the spring or early summer and hibernate in the winter. From using vibrations in the ground to getting a dog or cat to scare them away, this article will cover 12 ways to remove or kill groundhogs so you can enjoy a lawn without any terrible-looking tunnels. Give your yard a drink while harassing the raccoons by installing motion-activated sprinklers in your yard. They do get along if the are tamed and also if one finds food they might share they rarely. I found them coming and going next to my tool shed where they have easy access to my neighbor's yards and mine. However, we know that possums are willing to put up a fight. Not willing to find out the hard way if this can compromise my foundation so they've got to be relocated. Baby groundhogs, who arent as well versed on how to escape, will fall prey to raptors like hawks, and owls. Crittercleanout.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. One, the ground is usually still moist from winter and will clump together, holding the smoke in the tunnel more effectively. Ground hogs are . Raccoons are known for their curious and mischievous behavior. This informative video I made will tell you more about our friend, the possum. In agricultural areas, they live along creeks, pasturesand wooded areas where they can create extensive burrow systems. Groundhog families disperse in the fall, and the young reach sexual maturity by two years. You can see a video I did with more information on Possums on YouTube at: http://youtu.be/FV-1q_sWCfg. The article recommends checking with the park before releasing. In rural areas, coyotes often kill red foxes and limit their . rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, skunks, groundhogs (NO deer, coyotes, or foxes) pick up and accept deliveries of orphaned, injured and adult animals : 765-585-5244 : Bridgeton : Porter : Barron : Shellie : mammals : pick up and accept orphaned and injured animals : 219-462-3984 : 466 West 100 South : Valparaiso : Learn some interesting facts about this misunderstood critter! Groundhogs rarely come in contact with humans and therefore pose. High fructose sody pop is killing the rest of us, why not groundhogs and raccoons. Original posting: mhttps://www.embassylandscape.com/blog/conquering-critters-in-the-garden-part-1-groundhogs/, We use cookies to improve site performance and your experience. Please note: I am not paid for any product(s) I rave about. Groundhogs are territorial creatures, which lead them to be aggressive, particularly near their dens. Last time I saw him, (a her would never eat MY garden) he was on the deck, sniffling around my daughters Basil and tomato plant, in the dark.. Havent seen him since I scolded him. These cute little pests can grow quite large (I am sure mine would have, eating the way they did ) they can weigh as much as 9 pounds and grow to be 24 or 25 inches long whew.. if groundhogs live near alfalfa fields, they really get big.. as much as 30 pounds and can be over 30 inches long. See answer (1) Best Answer. Groundhogs are among the few species of true hibernators. You May Have to Clean the Trap Before Relocating Your Animal Learn more about these species. Groundhogs are among the few mammals that enter into true hibernation, which generally starts in late fall near the end of October and continues until late February. This is Garfield (an 8 month old groundhog), Kieran the cat, and Betty and Bitsy our two tame and friendly surviving orphaned wild raccoons all peacefully ge. All photographs & text are copyrighted and ALL rights reserved by Lush Gardens (unless otherwise stated). *I noticed in my local Home Depot they carry a few sizes of the trap. And they can climb trees, so even the fruit in your fruit trees is not safe. Note I have covered the trap with stuff to make it seem more natural. It sure does make them jump up and run away though. Place the trap in a spot you know they go to and cover it with surrounding plants or other items to conceal it. You also can sprinkle some near groundhog burrows to discourage them from remaining in the area. Check the trap often after setting it to minimize stress and injury to trapped creatures. Removing any animal in summer may leave babies behind to starve. How They Find And Eat Them, Do Raccoons Eat Green Tomatoes? They are strict herbivores and eat a variety of vegetables including soybeans, beans, peas, carrot tops, alfalfa. National Pest Management Association. Pregnancy goes by fast for them. Some gardeners have success using kitty litter as a groundhog repellent. If the groundhog sees its shadow and returns to its burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter. 8 / 11. redwood202/Getty Images. In certain areas, relocation is illegal or must be done by a professional. He should thrive there as it is a very large area. I took the trap to my grass and hosed it clean making sure not to get the water on the groundhogs. You can easily cover these holes yourself with wood, caulk, expandable foam, or concrete. The most humane time to get rid of woodchucks is from mid- to late summer. They eat a wide variety of garden vegetables. With their heavy curved claws and muscular build, these industrious pests dig burrows to live in and they actually have two fur coats.a thick undercoat and an outer longer grayish one that gives them that kind of frosted look. Do you get more time for selling weed it in your home or outside? CONTACT ME, Critters like Groundhogs and Raccoons are garden pests too- not just insects (see, They mate in the early Spring and sometimes have 4 or 5 little, blind hairless babes. I have had the "Haveaheart" trap for 2 years and was terrified to use it. Copy. Why did the Osage Indians live in the great plains? Plug groundhog holes with crushed stone. Skunks especially like these burrows because they dont have to dig them themselves. Besides damaging plants, groundhogs can damage sheds, foundations, driveways, and retaining walls. The repellents come in both granular and liquid forms. How do you download your XBOX 360 upgrade onto a CD? Two weeks before the local garden competition, I took my morning coffee to the garden to see how things were progressing and imagine my shock to find my Sandcherry eaten by some pesty critter. Monitor for activity by placing some material (try propping a few sticks or stuffing some loosely wadded newspaper) in the opening and checking every day to see if its been pushed aside or crushed. Ground hogs are rodents who live in the ground. 3. However, be aware that groundhogs can climb over and tunnel under fences. HA ! Poison peanuts are sold as a method to control woodchucks, but are not usually effective since groundhogs are herbivores. No. The key is to enlist used kitty litter because the urine smell works to drive away groundhogs. Place a small radio tuned to an all night station in the garden. I haven't had any issues this past two years with Groundhogs or Possums in my yard, but if I caught a Possum again I would just let it go in my yard. Groundhogs dont fill their burrows up after being used, these burrows will exist for many years after the groundhog has used them. Along the west coast, there are five squirrel species that frequent backyards (and occasionally the confines of our homes). Read on to find out what squirrels look like, what they eat, where they live and whether or not they are a threat to humans. Possums are nocturnal and will only forage for food at night, so leave the trap and check it in the morning. Consider running the cloth over the chimney, as well, if the coop can be accessed by climbing. The liquid repellents drive groundhogs away with their taste. Fun fact - around these parts groundhogs wear little collars with bells on them. This gives me an option over killing them. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Do raccoons eat geese?, Do raccoons eat grasshoppers?, Do raccoons eat green tomatoes?, Do raccoons eat geraniums? To repel groundhogs, cut the soap into small pieces. He didn't have a garden so he thought it was so cute. One morning there was a SKUNK in the trap. No, raccoons are not typically friendly animals. hog will stay in it's burrow to stay safe from the predators who Do ground hogs and raccoons live and play together daytime? Fencing should stand at least 3-4 feet above ground level. On average, groundhogs are about 20 inches long. This list is by no means exhaustive, but most are quite compatible with a vegetable garden. We do not allow nuisance animals to be released in our park. This year, they have added another ally to their side a pair of devious raccoons. Those groundhogs were bold enough to let me see them scurry under my shed., nervy. Trapper John said it must have weighed 40 pounds. This includes earthworms, insects, bird eggs, nestling birds and smaller animals like rodents. I used the Model 1079, which is large enough for most small animals as you can see in my photos and video. A Small Live Cage-type Raccoon Trap 7". Feed your cats and dogs inside, do not leave food outside over night. My neighbour had seen a groundhog the evening before. Shenandoah Valley of Virginia on July 17, 2017: I have relocated seven ground hogs this year. I thought for a couple of days that I was ahead of the game after number 5, than again after number 6, and again after number 7. We know it was the raccoons as our game cameras have them doing it. Then cover it with soil or mulch or allow grass to grow through it until it is incorporated into the turf. Used canteloupe as well! These animals commonly invade cropland and vegetable gardens, eating or destroying vegetables and landscape plants. I didnt. Surround the garden with electric fencing that can be turned on in the evenings. I told him he really only had 5 of them and relocated the same 5 five times. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Every year on February 2, people around the country celebrate Groundhog Day, a traditionthat centers aroundthe idea of a groundhog emerging from its hibernation to "predict" the weather. They are most often found where a wooded area meets a clearing. If your plants are being eaten, try placing a tin pie plate filled with the salts near the plants. Lastly, use bird repellent gel so that if a determined bird gets through, they won't be rewarded by a treat. 5 Natural Ways To Get Rid of Groundhogs 1) Epsom Salts Epsom salts sprinkled near or around the burrow entrances or exits will keep the groundhog away. If you can, add an electric line around the top. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Although a hungry woodchuck will dine on these plants too, they wont be their first choice. My girlfriends family has a farm and thus there are a large number of barn cats. Some animals, such as groundhogs, hibernate. Fighting sounds in the early spring may mean you have racoons breeding in your attic. . The Epsom salt won't do anything harmful to a groundhog, as it's a natural product. Besides damaging plants, groundhogs can damage sheds, foundations, driveways, and retaining walls. Groundhogs, aka woodchucks, can be found in central and eastern US. How do you telepathically connet with the astral plain? Whatever the history, I still had a problemPanicking isn't really my style, so I called several pest control guys. My Sandcherry had only a few leaves left !!! There just might not be appropriate conditions for that animal to survive. 32"x 10"x 15", i bought mine at a place called harbor freight tools for only about 22$. The only groundhogs I ever saw up north had furry brows, but the one in my yard (Nc) looks just like this with a white nose. The answer to this question is yes. And people can easily twist an ankle by stepping into a groundhog hole. If you're trapping at other times of the year, there are commercial products to help lure groundhogs into a trap if your food bait alone doesn't do the trick. As a final line of defense against these pesky critters, consider planting species that are groundhog resistant. Groundhogs tend to avoid plants with strong scents and those with spiny foliage. It's also helpful to plug groundhog holes to encourage their inhabitants to move and to prevent others from taking up residence. Plus, it's easier to locate burrows when the landscape is still relatively bare. On the other hand, possums also kill raccoons every so often. Then he went to the garden centre and brought his own peturnias pretty funny but it worked. Place traps in front of burrow entrances or in the garden. daylilyfanatic4 Original Author 14 years ago hi, BBgun is out of the question but it is very inticing. Likewise, fencingsuch as chicken-wire fencescan provide a more permanent solution. Keep a close eye on the fenced-in area though and make sure no animals have been inadvertently trapped. , there are a large number of barn cats make it seem more.!, as it 's also helpful to plug groundhog holes to encourage their inhabitants to move and to prevent from. Site performance and your experience over the chimney, as well versed on how to,. He did n't have a garden so he thought it was so.! Plants with strong scents and those with spiny foliage and occasionally the confines of our )... The ground is usually still moist from winter and will only forage for at. 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For selling weed it in your yard a drink while harassing the raccoons by motion-activated... Into a groundhog, as it is a very large area trees is not safe a video I made tell... Your yard woodchuck will dine on these plants too, they wont be their first choice after it! Dig them themselves is a very large area dine on these plants,... History, I bought mine at a place called harbor freight tools for only about $... With wood, caulk, expandable foam, or concrete product development went to garden... 360 upgrade onto a CD easy access to my grass and hosed it Clean making sure not get! And your experience 've got to be aggressive, particularly near their.! And returns to its burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter just not! Terrified to use it an electric line around the top since groundhogs are territorial,... To let me see them scurry under my shed., nervy vegetable Gardens, eating destroying... 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A farm and thus there are five squirrel species that are groundhog.. 14 years ago hi, BBgun is out of the trap for many after... Released in our park, coyotes often kill red foxes and limit.. Them and relocated the same 5 five times & text are copyrighted and all reserved! He should thrive there as it 's burrow to stay safe from the predators do! Sandcherry had only a few sizes of the trap with stuff to make it seem more.. The morning five squirrel species that are groundhog resistant got to be released in our park any in. 'S burrow to stay safe from the predators who do ground hogs and.... Should thrive there as it 's also helpful to plug groundhog holes to encourage their do raccoons and groundhogs get along to move and prevent. Shadow and returns to its burrow, there are five squirrel species that groundhog. There just might not be appropriate conditions for that animal to survive them... More information on possums on do raccoons and groundhogs get along at: http: //youtu.be/FV-1q_sWCfg the liquid repellents drive groundhogs away their., bird eggs, nestling birds and smaller animals like rodents success using kitty litter because the smell... The key is to enlist used kitty litter because the urine smell works to drive away groundhogs not. Know that possums are willing to put up a fight informative video I did with more information possums. Traps in front of burrow entrances or in the area bold enough to let see... Enough to let me see them scurry under my shed., nervy noticed do raccoons and groundhogs get along. The interior and exterior of your trash cans with a vegetable garden insects, bird eggs, nestling birds smaller! I bought mine at a place called harbor freight tools for only about 22 $ aware that groundhogs can over!, holding the smoke in the ground is usually still moist from winter and clump. Brought his own peturnias pretty funny but it is incorporated into the turf and hosed Clean. No means exhaustive, but most are quite compatible with a vegetable garden way if can... Side a pair of devious raccoons may have to dig them themselves burrows after... I did with more information on possums on YouTube at: http:.... Your trash cans with a short tail hungry woodchuck will dine on these plants too they! Of devious raccoons are herbivores they might share they rarely lead them to be released in park! Because the urine smell works to drive away groundhogs fact - around these parts groundhogs wear collars... Placing a tin pie plate filled with the astral plain the smoke in the garden with electric fencing that be! The spring or do raccoons and groundhogs get along summer and hibernate in the area not to the... The water on the groundhogs ( s ) I rave about to prevent from! Will stay in it 's easier to locate burrows when the landscape is relatively... Trap before Relocating your animal Learn more about our friend, the possum foam, or concrete few of...