Size: Adults range in length from 25 to 33 inches (body plus tail)
- Large burrow next to home
- Large burrow under deck
- Large burrow next to sidewalks, drive-ways
Groundhogs are diggers. They excavate tunnels and burrows underground, in which they live and raise young. The tunnel may have up to five entrances and 50 feet of total tunnel distance. They create a den to live in, and to hibernate in. They are primarily active during the daytime. They can climb and swim, but they mostly stay in fields, foraging. When they sense danger, they retreat for the tunnel. Woodchucks can create a wide variety of vocal noises. They grow fat during the summer, lethargic by autumn, and in winter, they hibernate. They emerge in spring and start the mating process.
A groundhog or woodchuck's diet consists of grasses, clover, garden vegetables, leaves, twigs, apples, berries, and dandelion. In your garden the groundhog seeks beans, peas, herbs, strawberries, pansies, and impatiens. Groundhogs also eat grubs, grasshoppers, insects, snails and other small animals,
Groundhogs are usually classified as a pest species due to their habits of digging and eating crops. The most common complaints include the following:
- Large burrow next to home
- Large burrow under deck
- Garden/landscaping being eaten
Groundhog control is extremely important because these nuisance animals, also known as woodchucks, can remove 700 pounds of soil to complete a 20 to 25-foot-long burrow with multiple chambers which pose a serious threat to homes by damaging and undermining building foundations.
Fencing:
Fencing should be used primarily to keep groundhogs out of specific places, like your lovely garden. 1”-3” chicken wire or wire mesh fencing should be sufficient, so long as it’s buried at least 12”-18” below the surface and about 2’ above the surface.
Manufacturer Recommended Products And Treatment For Ground Hog Control
Pests need food, water, and shelter. Often the problem may be solved just by removing these key items. Before even thinking about chemical pest control, it is important to be aware of
Conducive Condition | Recommendation | |
1 | Tree branches on house | Keep tree branches away from house to reduce pest access |
2 | Firewood next to foundation | Keep firewood away from house to reduce pest harborage |
3 | Debris on crawlspace/next to foundation | Remove wood debris to reduce termite ha rborage area |
4 | Excessive plant cover, stump, etc. | Providing spacing between plant cover and structure |
5 | Soil above the foundation Ii ne | Keep soil below top of foundation to reduce harbo rage areas |
6 | Wood-to-ground contact | Keep soil from touching wood to eliminate termite access |
7 | Debris on roof/full gutter | Keep gutter & roof free of debris to reduce insect harborage |
8 | Standi ng water near/under structure | Eli minate standing water to reduce pest harbo rage |
9 | Mo isture problem under structure | Increase ventilation to reduce pest harbo rage area |
10 | Openi ngs at plumbi ng & electronics | Seal opening to reduce pest access |
11 | Excessive gaps at windows/doors | Seal gaps to reduce pest access |
12 | Lea ky plumb ing fixtures | Repair to reduce moisture for pests |
13 | Keep garbage cans covered | Covered to reduce attraction of insects of vertebrate pests |
14 | Mo isture damage wood | Repair rotten or damaged wood to reduce insect harborage |
15 | Grocery bags stored improperly | Seal paper sacks in containers to reduce i nsect ha rborage areas |
16 | Pet food unsealed or left out | Keep pet food in sealed containers and unavailable to pests |
17 | Excessive storage conditions | Keep storage areas uncluttered and manageable |
18 | Debris below kick plates | Remove kick plates to reduce rodent harborage |
Product Type
1 product