Use Cat Litter Groundhogs rely on their sense of smell to find food and identify predators nearby. The odor may be enough to frighten them away. In order for this method to work, the cat litter must be soiled. If you do not have a pet, cat litter may not be a reasonable option.
Not overly hard to come by, used cat litter repels groundhogs by making them believe a predator is nearby—just pour it around the holes. It is a good practice to leave one hole alone so they can escape, instead of just staying burrowed. Make sure to be careful when handling cat litter.
Groundhogs hate the smell of castor oil. To make your own homemade groundhog repellent, mix one half cup of castor oil with two cups of water and spray it in and around the burrow holes. But only apply it when you know they're not there, otherwise, they'll just stay burrowed.
Dogs and Cats – let your dog or cat run around in your garden, spreading their smell and hair around, even get them to urine in your garden, as that smell will really deter the groundhogs. Groundhogs also see cats and dogs as predators so even just having them around will scare off the groundhogs.
Cats are natural groundhog predators. Gardeners have had the most success using cat-urine-soaked kitty litter as a groundhog repellent. The urine smell works to drive away groundhogs. If a groundhog detects their presence (via the urine-soaked kitty litter), it will think twice about remaining in the area.
The primary predators of groundhogs are hawks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, dogs and humans. However, motorized vehicles kill many groundhogs each year.
For best results, choose Safer® Brand Critter Ridder® Animal Repellent Granulars. The best groundhog repellents repel by targeting multiple senses, like scent and taste.
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.
Confirming here that coffee doesn't work as a deterrent, but there are other organic compounds that do. Just like you can find traditional pest repellents for homes and yards, there are now organic varieties as well.
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.
Most groundhog lethal traps are body grip traps that will snap around the animal once it steps on its trigger pan. It will be killed quickly without suffering too much. Examples of lethal traps are Conibear and BMI body grip traps.
You really need to install an exclusion barrier, a steel mesh fence, that goes all the way around the perimeter of the shed or deck. It needs to go at least 18 inches underground, with the bottom curving outward, to stop diggers like groundhogs from just digging underneath.
A big dog will kill a groundhog, and a small dog probably wouldn't get close enough to get bitten." Cats, on the other hand, are rarely threatened by groundhogs; a cat "probably wouldn't have anything to do with it, and a groundhog won't go out of its way to attack if he's not threatened."
They move significant amounts of soil and burrows can unsettle foundations. Tunnels can run in excess of 25' in length and up to 8' in depth.
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.
While using vinegar will not eliminate groundhogs from your yard and garden overnight, diligent daily applications should ensure their eradication.
They're eating it. The most likely culprits are rats, but skunks, opossums, foxes, raccoons and squirrels have all been known to chow down on a bar of soap, which also dispels the common belief that a bar of Irish Spring will keep critters away.
Groundhogs are most active during early morning and late afternoon when they are feeding. Adults typically consume between 1 and 1.5 pounds of vegetation daily. Groundhogs can climb trees for food and protection.
Fill the holes with topsoil, sand, or gravel, tamping the soil to pack it down firmly. If using topsoil, spread grass seed over it to encourage the regrowth of grass. If you simply want to ensure that the groundhogs don't return, place large stones over the tunnel openings.
Mothballs are another effective way of repelling groundhogs. Made with naphthalene, mothballs produce a smell that groundhogs detest and can detect even at very low concentrations. Note that mothballs can be dangerous for pets and children, so be careful where and how you use them.
Groundhogs are leery of strange objects and can be scared away with things that rattle and clang. Tin pie plates can be tied to trees or try hanging wind chimes for a more decorative touch. There are effective repellents available at garden centers.
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. (However, baby groundhogs sometimes do fall prey to raptors such as hawks, owls, and eagles.)