Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, can cause extensive damage to yards and gardens with their burrowing and feeding behaviors. If these furry creatures have invaded your outdoor space, you may be wondering how to get rid of groundhogs and reclaim your yard. This guide covers everything you need to know about safely and humanely removing groundhogs, including understanding their habits, using natural deterrents, considering professional services, and taking preventative measures against future infestations.

Identifying Signs of Groundhogs in Your Yard

The first step is looking for signs of groundhog activity on your property so you can address the issue promptly. Here are some indicators that groundhogs may have taken up residence in your yard:

• Visible burrow openings or holes in the ground approximately 10-12 inches wide
• Trails of disturbed soil or dirt mounds by burrow entrances
• Damaged plants, crops, or gardens with chewed vegetation and missing leaves
• Gnaw marks visible on tree trunks, fences, and structures
• Sightings of groundhogs during daylight hours, usually early morning or late afternoon

If you spot any of these signs, it likely means groundhogs have already invaded your yard. Taking quick action as soon as you notice indicators of their presence will help minimize further destruction.

Understanding Groundhog Behaviors

To remove groundhogs effectively, it helps to understand their habits, lifestyle patterns, and preferences. Here’s what you need to know about the behavior of these burrowing rodents:

• Groundhogs are herbivores that consume a variety of vegetables, grasses, and garden crops. Their favorite foods include lettuce, beans, and carrots.
• They dig extensive underground burrow systems with tunnel openings around 10-12 inches wide.
• Groundhogs are solitary animals except during breeding season in early spring. The female gives birth to a litter of 2-6 young.
• Peak activity occurs during daytime hours when groundhogs emerge to feed. They tend to be cautious and have sharp hearing to detect threats.
• To prepare for cold weather, groundhogs enter deep hibernation from late fall through winter, emerging again in early spring.
• They prefer areas with dense vegetation or wood piles that provide cover and proximity to water sources.

Knowing these groundhog characteristics and habits allows you to implement targeted, effective methods to evict them from your yard.

Using Natural Groundhog Deterrents

If you want to avoid using traps or poisons, there are several natural remedies you can test to make your yard less appealing to groundhogs:

Predator Scents

The musky smell of natural predator urine, such as coyote or fox urine, mimics the presence of animals that prey on groundhogs. You can purchase these scents online or from garden stores. Sprinkle them around the perimeter of your yard or near burrow openings.

Repellent Plants

Introduce plants that groundhogs dislike, including alliums, daffodils, fritillaries, marigolds, and mint. Interplant these throughout your garden beds or around the yard’s edge. You can also try spraying repellent mixtures of garlic, onion, or cayenne pepper solutions.

Unappealing Odors

Soak rags or cotton balls in ammonia and place them around groundhog burrows and tunnels. Alternatively, place containers of human hair clippings near tunnel entrances - groundhogs avoid the smell of humans.

Encourage Natural Predators

Install owl boxes or hawk perches to attract birds of prey to your yard. Their presence as natural predators will discourage groundhogs from sticking around. Flying predator decoys can also help scare groundhogs away.

Maintain Your Landscape

Keep your yard free of abandoned wood piles, overgrown areas, and fallen fruit that could attract groundhogs looking for food and shelter. Also, ensure to harvest your garden produce on schedule so you don’t give groundhogs a free meal.

Persistence is key when applying natural groundhog deterrents. It may take time for these measures to effectively drive the animals away for good.

Calling in Professional Groundhog Removal Services

For severe infestations or damage, you may need to call on professional groundhog trapping and removal services. Certified wildlife control companies have the expertise and tools to efficiently evict persistent groundhog colonies.

Here’s what you can expect if you hire professional services:

• Inspection of your property to evaluate the extent of the infestation including number of burrows and groundhogs on your land.

• Groundhog trapping using humane methods that do not harm the animals. Cage traps or body-grip traps are commonly used.

• Relocation of captured groundhogs to uninhabited areas at least 5 miles from your property so they don't find their way back. Some local laws may prohibit relocation.

• Sealing up burrows and entry points after trapping to prevent new groundhogs from moving in. This may involve filling in burrows with dirt or installing wire mesh barriers.

• Follow-up monitoring and maintenance to check for any new activity and reinforce exclusion measures.

Look for licensed, insured wildlife control operators who practice humane groundhog removal in your area. Get multiple estimates before hiring a company. Prices range from $250 to $500 depending on your location and the extent of required trapping and exclusion work.

Professional services provide the most thorough solution for ridding your yard of groundhogs and their destructive burrows.

Preventing Groundhogs from Returning

To keep groundhogs away in the long-term after removing them from your yard, focus on exclusion and landscape modifications:

• Walk your property regularly to look for new holes or digging activity, sealing up any new burrow openings immediately.

• Install below-ground wire mesh fencing around vulnerable garden areas to prevent burrowing. Bury the mesh at least 12 inches deep.

• Ensure shed, porch, and deck foundations are sealed properly without gaps or access points. Fasten wire mesh under elevated structures.

• Remove excess vegetation, woodpiles, and other hiding spots and food sources.

• Maintain a strip of gravel between lawn and garden areas to deter digging. The gravel makes it harder for groundhogs to burrow.

• Use motion-activated sprinklers and outdoor lighting near gardens and tunnels to startle groundhogs away.

• Allow your dog to frequently access your yard - dog scent and presence helps deter groundhogs.

Staying vigilant and proactive is key to keeping groundhogs from doing damage. Combining preventative measures with removal methods will help you reclaim your yard for good.

Reclaim Your Yard from Destructive Groundhogs

Groundhogs can certainly be a nuisance, but with diligence and the right removal strategies, you can successfully get rid of them and take back your outdoor space. Focus on efficient, humane methods centered on exclusion and deterrents for long-lasting results. Don't tolerate extensive damage - take action at the first signs of groundhogs to protect your garden and yard. You'll be rewarded with a groundhog-free landscape you can again enjoy.