Given the speed at which it digs and the amount of dirt it can excavate, the groundhog can do tremendous damage to the underside of a house by loosening the ground on which the structure is built. This type of pest behavior is most concerning in areas where homes are commonly built on slab foundations.
Some of the problems that groundhogs can cause are: Soil erosion and considerable damage to home foundation. Damage to pipes, wires, cables, and other underground utilities. Creation of holes and mounds that can pose a tripping hazard.
Rodents carry disease and can be a health hazard. They can also cause significant damage to your home. Mice and rats will build nests in crawl spaces, damage foundations, leave droppings everywhere, and gnaw on anything including walls, electrical wiring, or belongings.
What's more, they love to burrow, and can demolish lawns, flower beds, and vegetable gardens with swift ease. Here are some signs that groundhogs have invaded your yard or garden: Wide teeth marks on plants, fruit, and bark. Burrow entrances next to piles of dirt.
For a greater part of the year, burrow occupancy is limited to one groundhog per unit. Exceptions occur when males visit the burrows of females during a late winter breeding season, and consequently, following a 32-day gestation period, when females give birth to four to six kits.
Even though groundhogs favor forested areas, they are very adaptable and will keep coming back to places where they are able to find plenty of food and a suitable shelter.
The primary predators of groundhogs are hawks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, dogs and humans. However, motorized vehicles kill many groundhogs each year.
Natural Repellents
Groundhogs have sensitive noses, so use that to your advantage with some natural rodent repellents. Groundhogs detest the scent of garlic, lavender, basil, chives, lemon balm, mint, sage, thyme, rosemary, and oregano. They do not like the smell and sting of cayenne pepper.
Besides eating your garden, a groundhog's digging can damage a home's foundation, dislodge a retaining wall and create holes large enough for your mower to fall into. A common problem on farmsteads is livestock or people breaking their legs when they step into a groundhog hole.
When digging, groundhogs help aerate soil. Roots, like all other parts of the plant, have to respire, taking in oxygen and emitting carbon dioxide. In unturned soil, roots deplete their limited oxygen while CO2accumulates, making it hard for them to 'breathe.
Groundhogs can damage your property if they burrow under it or gnaw on it. They are typically harmless, but homeowners need to be aware of the damage they can do over time. If you have a groundhog living in your yard, you should consider removing it as soon as possible to prevent them from doing any unnecessary damage.
1) Water Damage
Water damage is one of the most common property damage claims homeowners face. It can occur due to various reasons, including burst pipes, leaking roofs, or appliance malfunctions. You might experience water damage from heavy rainfall or flooding, especially if you live in a flood-prone area.
Squirrels, Porcupines, Raccoons, etc.
But since flying squirrels are extremely shy and nocturnal, they are rarely seen. Squirrels chew on wood for two basic reasons, they are attempting to get inside where it's nice and warm, or they are trying to extract salts that may be contained in the wood.
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, usually are viewed as nuisance animals for homeowners and farmers. The major problems that they cause are the large holes they dig and the damage that occurs from this animal. Their holes can be 8-12 inches in size.
Groundhog removal costs from $150 to $300. Most homeowners spend around $200 on an inspection, trap placement, and removal of a single groundhog. On the low end of the scale, costs for a single inspection and application of groundhog repellent cost approximately $100.
It's best to plug groundhog holes in late summer or early fall when the burrows are empty and you don't risk trapping them inside—otherwise, the trapped groundhog will probably just dig a new tunnel to get out, potentially causing more damage than before.
If you have a groundhog burrow on your property and don't have any conflicts with its occupants, let it be.
Epsom salts are one of the best natural ways to discourage groundhogs from your yard. However, it is not the only solution that will protect your greenery without harming the rodent. John recommends growing unpalatable plants, such as wormwood, hot peppers, or catmint – a purple flowering plant with a minty scent.
Now here's a problem that Ohio's farmers like you may be familiar with: groundhogs. You may not be aware that they hate the smell of Irish Spring soap bars. All you have to do is keep the soap in the wrapper, punch holes through the paper, then place the bar of Irish Spring at the entrance to their den.
If you have groundhogs burrowing in or near your yard, it means they're getting what they want there. Groundhogs tend to burrow near plentiful food sources, such as farms and gardens. They love to dig their way beneath fences and barriers so they can chow down on your flowers and vegetables.
Because of their relatively large adult size and burrowing—not to mention climbing and swimming abilities—groundhogs don't have many predators aside from coyotes, foxes, domestic dogs, and, of course, humans.
But they don't just wreak havoc aboveground. Groundhogs are burrowers by nature. They live, breed, and hibernate underground. But before they can do that, they have to dig, and dig, and dig, and dig, and dig, and dig.
Throw some crushed garlic or cayenne pepper into the burrows or make a spray to drizzle your plants and veggies with. Groundhogs hate these smells. Sprinkle blood meal, Epsom salts, or talcum powder around the groundhogs' burrows. Place a rag soaked in ammonia near the burrow entrances.
Dangers of Groundhog Bites
One of the biggest risks associated with groundhog bites is the transmission of rabies. Groundhogs are known carriers of the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms that progress into delirium, hallucinations, and insomnia. Rabies is fatal if left untreated.
Groundhogs begin hibernation in October and emerge in February. Their burrow system is located about 2-4 feet underground and may extend 15-25 feet horizontally.