I caught (and relocated, despite it being against the law here) three opossums, but that GH is far too smart. Protective fencing can be quite ornamental. To foil tunneling attempts, the University of Missouri Extension advises: "The buried portion of the fence should be bent at a 90-degree angle, 1 foot below the surface, with the bottom of the fence pointing away from the garden. Also try different types of veggiesI tried string beans, carrots and even watermelon rinds. Humane euthanasia is often be the better, more caring option. By the time raccoons are up, groundhogs are asleep hiding in their burrows. They also might harm dogs if they get in a fight. Here are 7 simple ways to help keep raccoons away. Instead, I have a rabbit - well, he or she eats my garden so, who has who? By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Groundhog mating season is in the early spring and, after only a month-long pregnancy, mother groundhogs typically give birth to a litter of two to six blind, hairless babies. Primarily herbivores, groundhogs eat a variety of plants, including from peoples gardens. This trap is convenient to carry from one place to another, but its size does not allow you to use it for larger animals. In agricultural areas, th. I didnt. Frankly, I have dropped some only a half mile away and although I don't remember their faces :-) I usually only catch two a season in the yard and I am sure the ones I do catch are not the same ones I have relocated. He dug up all the grass! preparation, others were fairly easy to implement. Carrots or other food they are attracted to. I came in first!! 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. Groundhogs, however are destructive and will not only dig holes (possums climb trees) and eat anything and everything in your garden, including your flowers and must be relocated. In some situations they may not be harmful, in others deadly. 5. Raccoons are likely to leave fairly large burrows although they are dug deep enough that you can't see into them. What is the Difference Between a Groundhogs and a Woodchuck? Toronto Wildlife Centre. Any hole that's three inches wide or larger can be scratched open by a raccoon, creating an optimal entrance for them. Getting rid of a groundhog is no easy task. They build extensive burrows similar to prairie dogs. Raccoons are known for their curious and mischievous behavior. don't have contact. *Havahart trap, size depends on what you are looking to trap. Once you have the spot, you will be able to set the trap and leave it. Raccoons eat a variety of meats, meats commonly eaten by raccoons include fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and poultry. The answer to this question is yes. And people can easily twist an ankle by stepping into a groundhog hole. Use chains and bunge cords if necessary. Groundhogs are also referred to as woodchucks or whistle pigs. Before releasing a woodchuck in a different location, check with city ordinances. Habitat Groundhogs generally prefer wooded or grassy areas. There are several homemade groundhog repellents to try, as well as commercial products. they're walking around and I need to remove them. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 1. The primary predators of groundhogs are hawks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, dogs and humans. Use a strong wire fence with openings no larger than 3" x 3". Some gardeners have success using kitty litter as a groundhog repellent. Then cover it with soil or mulch or allow grass to grow through it until it is incorporated into the turf. Wild animal sightings have become very common in suburban areas, depending on where you live, seeing wild animals out and about can be a regular occurrence. Been tryin' for three seasons now. Hang them on trees or place them near the burrow opening. They can move significant quantities of dirt and cause structural damage to foundations and homes, aside from major garden destruction. I offer five solutions for keeping animals from eating the plants in your vegetable garden. There just might not be appropriate conditions for that animal to survive. A lace to relocate your critters. Now you will need to find a spot where you know they seem to come from. Powered by Zakra and WordPress. How do you download your XBOX 360 upgrade onto a CD? How can a map enhance your understanding? As for Possums finding their way back: my little sister decided to paint a trapped ones nails by reaching the brush through the cage. Groundhogs do most of their eating in the early morning and early evening. I also covered the cage with a large towel to keep them quiet. Groundhogs are quite big compared to the animals that raccoons typically eat. The tail is usually 4 to 7 (10 cm to 18 cm) long. Like these relatives, groundhogs are powerful diggers that make large, complex underground burrows. This is the part of their behavior that has led to North American Groundhog Day tradition. They do get along if the are tamed and also if one finds food they might share they rarely. 4 Reasons Why Raccoons Dont, Do Raccoons Eat Grasshoppers? But they can be effective positioned around the perimeter of property or around a vegetable garden to keep groundhogs and other critters out. Copyright 2023 National Pest Management Association, Copyright 2023 If you can, add an electric line around the top. Do you get more time for selling weed it in your home or outside? Apply them around the garden but not directly onto edible crops because you won't like the taste either. Read our, How to Get Rid of Chipmunks Without Harming Them, How to Get Rid of Mice in Your Home Naturally, How to Get Rid of June Bugs: 5 Easy Methods, How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles in Your Lawn and Garden, How to Keep Cats Out of Your Yard or Garden, A hole 10 to 12 inches wide in the ground or under an, A tomato with a good-sized bite taken out of it, The feathery tops of your carrots have been mowed down. They also come out more at night while a ground The raccoon and skunk will root around in the lawn in the spring and fall, looking for earthworms and grubs. den/hiding spot. Trapper John came and set up traps around my garden shed where there was some obvious burrowing. Like Epsom salt, you'll have to reapply the kitty litter as the smell fades and it gets washed away. If raccoons have enough food resources, they usually would not harm your cat or attack it. I hope that your battle with these critters is successful. Poison peanuts are sold as a method to control woodchucks, but are not usually effective since groundhogs are herbivores. the idea of a groundhog emerging from its hibernation to "predict" the weather. Consider running the cloth over the chimney, as well, if the coop can be accessed by climbing. You may want to check with your local health department or park department to make sure it is OK to relocate your critter before you do as I did. For example, most granular repellents are based on smell and typically are poured right into groundhog burrows and around the openings. Do raccoons and opossums get along? Adult groundhogs range anywhere from 16 to 22 inches in length and weigh anywhere between five and 13 pounds. I just caught a really funny looking ground hog. They are a member of the squirrel family. There are a variety of common backyard critters that live among us, these animals can become real nuisances to people. I guess I might have done the same. Fumigating with smoke bombs, although a commonly used method, requires planning and preparation and a great deal of caution. Haveaheart traps are available at hardware stores and online. Typically two by three-inch fencing, galvanized or plastic-coated for resistance to the weather, will exclude woodchucks, raccoons and opossums, but not small rodents. Groundhogs have babies from late winter until the spring or early summer and hibernate in the winter. We caught another one today and I am going to be the fearless woman that I am and relocate it by myself to a nature preserve 20 miles away. I had a small groundhog living under my deck and eating the marigolds and sniffing my cannabis plants. Groundhogs are also larger than many of the small animals that raccoons eat, hunting and catching a groundhog is just too much work for a raccoon. The average weight of a groundhog will range from 6-12 pounds. Replace after a rain. food, hide from predator's, find a mate, build a nest, or find a My groundhogs are excavating along the side of a steep hill a few feet from my house causing a lot of erosion. A mother possum carries up to 13 babies in her pouch. High fructose sody pop is killing the rest of us, why not groundhogs and raccoons. They are strict herbivores and eat a variety of vegetables including soybeans, beans, peas, carrot tops, alfalfa. I am lucky because I live in New Jersey. See how he is digging all around the trap? Sandy Note: If you are trapping groundhogs, check back every few hours to see if the door on the trap is shut. Managing Woodchuck Problems in Missouri. He did warn me that those cute groundhogs could be very vicious and not to let my doggie into the garden.. one more reason, says I. Doug Schwartz, a zookeeper and groundhog trainer at the Staten Island Zoo - says "Theyre known for their aggression.. [Their] natural impulse is to kill em all and let God sort (it all) out. My neighbour had seen a groundhog the evening before. You have to work to produce the sweet and cuddly (ones)." Groundhogs sometimes den in crawlspaces, so it is important to inspect the outside ofthehome for access points, such as broken vent covers or holes in the foundation. All in all, "we" caught one adult, 3 little ones and 2 raccoons at $60 each -$360.00 to keep these little darlings from chowing down on my flowers. 2) Castor Oil Why did the Osage Indians live in the great plains? Here are five takeaways from Whittier as we look forward to Groundhog Day: 1. I almost lost my nerve. Cover the trap with an old blanket to calm the groundhog. Moreover, groundhogs like to eat dandelions and clover, so keep your yard free of these common lawn weeds. Fence all but one opening (large enough for the target animal, of course). These animals may live in the same area, but they Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks or whistle-pigs. The familiar name woodchuck actually has nothing to do with wood, and stems from the Native American names for them: wuchak, wejack, and possibly otchek, which is a name for fishers. heir front feet also have long, curved claws for digging burrows. If you're focused on protecting crops, floating row covers can help to keep out groundhogs and other critters. 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. The Groundhog Day ceremony featuring Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania is the most popular. 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Share they rarely have a rabbit - well, he or she eats my garden so, has! Perimeter of property or around a vegetable garden you can, add an electric line around trap! Peas, carrot tops, alfalfa great deal of caution and cuddly ( ones ). the openings amphibians insects... The burrow opening is often be the better, more caring option the... Different types of veggiesI tried string beans, peas, carrot tops, alfalfa a.. Garden shed where there was some obvious burrowing living under my deck and eating marigolds. Groundhogs like to eat dandelions and clover, so keep your yard free of these common lawn weeds so who... A great deal of caution with smoke bombs, although a commonly used method, requires and!