Figuring out how to get rid of groundhogs can be frustrating, especially when you find your beautiful garden filled with dirt mounds and half-eaten vegetables. If so, you likely have a groundhog problem. These surprisingly destructive critters, also known as woodchucks, can wreck a lawn or garden in just a few days.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to surrender your yard. This guide will give you clear, easy-to-follow, and humane solutions to send these pests packing. After reading, you’ll know exactly how to make your property an unwelcome place for groundhogs and how to safely remove any that have already moved in.
What You’ll Need: Tools & Materials
This guide covers a few different methods. Here are the items you might need, depending on the approach you choose.
- For Repellents & Harassment:
- Epsom salt
- Cayenne pepper powder or hot pepper spray
- Garlic cloves or garlic powder
- Soiled kitty litter
- Garden hose with a spray nozzle
- Reflective tape, pinwheels, or old CDs
- Shovel or rake
- For Humane Trapping:
- A large, humane live trap (at least 32x10x12 inches)
- Bait (cantaloupe, strawberries, apples, or fresh peas work well)
- Thick gardening gloves
- An old blanket or tarp
How to Get Rid of Groundhogs: Your Action Plan
Getting rid of groundhogs isn’t a single step but a strategy. It’s best to start with the simplest, least invasive methods first before moving on to trapping.
Method 1: Make Your Yard Uninviting
Groundhogs are looking for a safe, comfortable place with plenty of food. Your first goal is to take that away from them.
- Use Scents They Hate: Groundhogs have a strong sense of smell. You can use this against them by spreading scents they find offensive around their burrow entrances and your garden.
- Epsom Salt: Sprinkle a generous amount in and around their burrow holes. It’s safe for your plants and soil but irritates groundhogs.
- Garlic and Pepper: Mix crushed garlic and cayenne pepper with water and spray it on your plants. You can also just sprinkle the powders around the area.
- Soiled Kitty Litter: The smell of a predator can scare them off. Drop some used cat litter down their burrow holes.
- Try Scare Tactics: Groundhogs are timid and easily frightened by unexpected movement and sounds.
- Place pinwheels, reflective tape, or aluminum pie plates tied to stakes around your garden. The flashing lights and movement can make them nervous.
- Remove Their Food and Shelter:
- Harvest ripe fruits and vegetables as soon as possible.
- Trim back overgrown bushes and clear piles of wood or rock where they might hide.
- Put up a fence. A sturdy wire fence that is at least 3 feet high and buried 1 foot deep into the ground can be very effective. Make sure to bend the bottom of the fence outwards in an “L” shape to stop them from digging under it.
Method 2: Gently Harass Them
If repellents don’t work, you can make their home so unpleasant that they choose to leave on their own.
- Partially Fill Their Burrows: Every day, use a shovel to fill the entrances of their burrows with dirt, rocks, or grass clippings. Don’t block all the exits completely at once, as you want them to have a way out. The constant need to re-dig their home can convince them to move elsewhere.
- Use Water: Stick a garden hose into the main burrow entrance and turn on the water for a few minutes. This won’t drown them, but it will flood their home and make it a miserable place to live.
Method 3: Use a Humane Live Trap
If the groundhog refuses to leave, trapping and relocating is your most effective option. However, this method comes with significant responsibility. For a detailed overview of best practices, you can review the guidelines on humane trapping from experts like The Humane Society of the United States before you begin.
- Step 1: Check Local Regulations: Before you do anything, call your local animal control or wildlife service. There are often specific rules about trapping and releasing wildlife. Some areas may require you to release the animal on your own property or prohibit relocation altogether.
- Step 2: Choose and Place Your Trap: Get a large live trap. Place it on the main path the groundhog uses or right outside its main burrow entrance. The groundhog should have to walk through the trap to get in or out of its home.
- Step 3: Bait the Trap: Place bait like sliced cantaloupe, strawberries, or other sweet fruits inside the trap, behind the trigger plate. Create a small trail of bait leading into the trap to lure it in. Do not set the trap for the first day or two, allowing the groundhog to get comfortable taking the free food. Then, set the trigger.
- Step 4: Check the Trap Frequently: Check the trap every few hours. Never leave a trapped animal in the sun, cold, or rain for an extended period. It’s cruel and can be fatal for the animal.
- Step 5: Relocate the Groundhog: Once you’ve caught the groundhog, cover the trap with a blanket to keep it calm. Wearing thick gloves, carefully move the trap to your vehicle. Drive at least 5-10 miles away to a suitable, rural habitat like a wooded area near a water source. Place the trap on the ground, open the door, and step away, allowing the groundhog to leave on its own.
Pro Tips for Success
- Identify All Entrances: A groundhog burrow system can have multiple entrances. Find them all to make sure your repellent or harassment strategy is effective.
- Act Fast: The moment you see a groundhog or a new burrow, start taking action. It’s much easier to convince one groundhog to leave than an entire family that has gotten comfortable.
- Be Persistent: Groundhogs can be stubborn. You may need to apply repellents every few days (especially after rain) or try a combination of methods for a week or two to see results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What smell do groundhogs hate the most?
Groundhogs hate strong, irritating smells. Garlic, cayenne pepper, and Epsom salts are some of the most effective natural scents you can use to repel them.
Will Epsom salt really get rid of groundhogs?
Yes, it can be an effective deterrent. Groundhogs dislike the smell and the feel of the salt crystals on their paws. Sprinkling it generously in and around their burrows can encourage them to move out.
When are groundhogs most active?
Groundhogs are most active during the early morning and late afternoon on warm, sunny days. This is the best time to observe their habits to find their main burrows and pathways for placing traps or repellents.
Conclusion
Getting rid of groundhogs requires a little patience, but by making your yard less attractive and using humane methods, you can successfully protect your garden. A combination of repellents, scare tactics, and, if necessary, trapping will give you the best chance of reclaiming your space for good.
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