How to Keep Groundhogs Out of Your Garden

Are you looking for ways to keep groundhogs out of your garden? You"ve come to the right place. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are particularly adept at destroying gardens and yards. They have an appetite for vegetables and can be destructive with their burrowing habits. That"s why it"s important to know how to protect your garden from these furry little pests.

Habitat Modification

One of the first steps you should take to rid your yards of these animals is to make the environment as inhospitable as possible. Groundhogs, like many animals, will search for areas that provide shelter and are easy on the food. Start by cutting down or pruning back plants and bushes, which create comfortable resting and feeding spots. Additionally, sealing off any burrows you find on your property is also an important measure.

Keeping Out With Natural Repellents

There are a variety of methods for using natural repellents to ward off groundhogs from your garden. Strong-smelling items such as garlic, ammonia, and vinegar, can be applied around the perimeter of your garden or around other areas to create an unpleasant environment for groundhogs. Additionally, several types of predator urine have been shown to be effective deterrents, such as coyote, fox, and stag urine.

Planting Certain Vegetation

Groundhogs typically prefer certain types of vegetation over others. Planting marigolds, daffodils, gopher purge (Euphorbia lathyris), and other plants may help because many of these plants give off a strong scent that groundhogs do not like. Additionally, planting thick vegetation such as blackberry bushes may also prevent groundhogs from entering your garden.

Installing Physical Barriers

Sometimes, a combination of repellents and physical barriers work best when trying to keep groundhogs out. You can install fencing at least two feet high with an apron several inches deep that will help to create a physical barrier. Make sure the fence is sunk into the ground to prevent any burrowing around the edges.

Traps and Live Cage trapping

If the groundhogs have already moved in, then it may be time to use a trap to get rid of them. These should be set up in areas where groundhogs are likely to be and baited with food. If you are unable to set a trap, then you may want to consider hiring a nuisance animal control specialist to handle the job. Alternatively, you can use a live cage trap to capture and remove the animals humanely.

Using Chemical Repellents

Chemical-based repellents are also an option if you want to keep groundhogs out of your garden. Repellents such as I Must Garden and Wildlife Protection Formula contain ingredients that will create a taste aversion to certain plants, deterring groundhogs from feeding.

Keeping Out With Dogs

If you own a dog, you may find that it can help deter groundhogs from your property. Dogs have an excellent sense of smell and hearing, making them great at detecting groundhogs. A territorial animal like a dog may be just the thing you need to keep groundhogs away.

In Summary

Groundhogs can be a nuisance in your garden and prevent you from enjoying your yard. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to keep them away. Start by cutting back on vegetation to make the environment less hospitable and install fencing with an apron to create a physical barrier. You can also use repellents, traps, and even enlist the help of your dog to ward them off. When used in combination, these methods can help keep groundhogs out of your garden once and for all.