Groundhogs may be cute and adorable, but they can still cause a lot of damage to your property.
They are especially fond of getting under decks or sheds for shelter from the cold.
You might not notice their presence until you start hearing all sorts of strange noises coming from beneath the ground.
How do you stop them? How do you get rid of groundhogs without harming them?
Here are several steps that will help keep groundhogs away from your shed or deck so that they don’t have access to it!
What Are Groundhogs?
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Groundhogs are medium-sized rodents known as “ground squirrels” or “marmots.” They may grow up to 24 inches long and weigh as much as 13 pounds in length.
In terms of total size, they are by far the biggest species in the Squirrel genus.
Groundhogs are ground-dwelling, burrowing animals that build extensive tunnel systems with their strong front teeth and long claws.
They have a short tail and ears with thick fur for protection from cold temperatures.
The groundhog is also known as whistle pig due to its warning call sounding similar to the bird’s name.
Groundhogs are herbivores, primarily eating grasses and other plants.
They also eat insects, small animals and eggs.
In late summer and early fall, groundhogs store large amounts of food in their burrows for winter use.
Due to their diet and behavior, groundhogs are considered a agricultural pest and can damage crops.
They are also known to carry fleas, ticks and mites.
Groundhogs living near humans will often take up residence under sheds or decks, or in basements.
They may also dig holes in lawns looking for food.
The groundhog is a timid animal and will usually only attack if it feels threatened.
Are Groundhogs Dangerous?
The groundhog, also known as the ground hog or woodchuck is a large rodent that can be found throughout North America.
Groundhogs are typically regarded as pests and will cause extensive damage to gardens and crops if they aren’t removed from an area.
Despite their reputation groundhogs are not hazardous; while they may cause extensive damage to gardens and crops, they aren’t typically a danger to humans.
Groundhog assaults are quite uncommon and if groundhogs feel threatened and have nowhere to hide, they may turn violent.
What Are Groundhogs Afraid Of?
Groundhogs are mainly afraid of anything that is bigger than them.
This includes big dogs and cats, as well as natural predators like mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves.
Groundhogs will usually steer clear from these animals to avoid any kind of interaction with them at all costs.
Also Read: How to Get Rid of Groundhogs
How to get rid of groundhogs under shed
If groundhogs are a problem on your property, there are several methods for getting rid of them.
One option is to trap them and relocate them to another area.
Another is to use repellents or deterrents such as ammonia, mothballs, pepper spray or loud noises.
You can also use groundhog traps to catch the groundhogs.
However, it is important not to kill ground hogs if possible as they are considered an endangered species in some states and protected by law elsewhere.
Groundhogs can also be beneficial in controlling the population of harmful insects.
Use Smoke
You can use smoke to get groundhogs out of their holes.
Groundhogs are not fond of strong smells such as those from mothballs or ammonia and will be driven off by it.
Place the ammonia at ground level around where they enter, but make sure that children and pets cannot access it.
Use Strong Offensive Smells
Mothballs, ground coriander seeds and strong ammonia smells are all offensive to groundhogs.
Place these items near their holes or lairs.
Odor repellents made with castor oil can also help keep groundhogs away because they hate the smell of castor beans.
Soiled Kitty Litter
You can also try using soiled kitty litter.
Mothballs and ammonia will also work to repel groundhogs, but they can be harmful to pets and children.
Epsom Salt
If you have a groundhog problem, consider using Epsom salts as bait in your traps.
The magnesium sulfate in the salt may help groundhogs to relax and become less suspicious around humans.
Use a Trap
Groundhog traps are also effective for getting rid of groundhogs as long as you know where their burrows are located.
You can purchase groundhog traps online or from home improvement stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and Orchards Supply Hardware.
Call a Professional
You can also call in professionals for groundhog removal services.
A professional groundhog exterminator will set traps near the burrow entrances to catch groundhogs, making sure that kids and pets cannot access them.
Remove Food Sources
If you have fruit trees or berry bushes on your property, groundhogs may be attracted to the ground you have for them.
Remove any fruits or berries from your yard, as groundhogs will try to eat whatever they can find there.
Fencing
You may also want to consider fencing off areas of your yard where groundhog burrows are located and around trees that ground hogs like to climb.
The fence should be at least six feet high and have a wire mesh to prevent groundhogs from climbing over it.
Conclusion
You may have a groundhog or other animal living under your shed, deck, porch, or in the yard.
The question of how to get rid of them may seem daunting and difficult to answer.
But it should be simple because there are many great options from which to choose!
And while killing animals is not ideal, sometimes you need to take matters into your own hands.
In this article, we’ve covered some humane ways for getting rid of these pesky creatures that will leave both humans and animals safe.
