Trap and Relocation Live trapping is a humane way to get rid of groundhogs, as you can safely move them to an environment that's more suitable for them. However, it's best to consult with professional wildlife handlers if you want to trap a groundhog.
Groundhog Fumigation and Gassing
Groundhogs live in burrows under the ground. A professional can seal these burrows and pump them full of gas to rid the property of the animals. Groundhog fumigation ranges from about $150 to $300. A completely sealed burrow with fumigation should kill the groundhogs.
Average groundhog extermination costs
The average price to remove a groundhog ranges from $150 to over $200 but the cost can vary depending on several factors, including how many animals you're dealing with and where you live.
The only sure way to get rid of groundhogs is to use a kill trap that crushes the animals head. Consider using a live trap, and bring the groundhog several miles away, with advice from the owner of a pest control business in this free video on home pest control and management. Expert: Jim Harmon Contact: www.californi.
Strategically use cayenne pepper - groundhogs hate getting it in their eyes. Sprinkling cayenne on the soil around your plant, and on the leaves deters them. I have also made homemade pepper spray with cayenne and dish soap. This is troublesome if you have cats in the garden, but helps with groundhogs.
The primary predators of groundhogs are hawks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, dogs and humans. However, motorized vehicles kill many groundhogs each year.
Epsom salt is one of the cheapest ways to eliminate groundhogs without harming them. Sprinkle it around the perimeter of your garden and near groundhog burrows to discourage them from remaining in the area. While this is a natural and humane method to eliminate groundhogs, it will not be an ongoing effort.
Groundhog habitat
They dig burrows that can be 6 feet (1.8 meters) deep, and 20 feet (6 m) wide. These underground homes can also have two to a dozen entrances, according to the National Wildlife Federation. Typically, they have a burrow in the woods for the winter and a burrow in grassy areas for the warmer months.
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.
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 a groundhog burrow on your property and don't have any conflicts with its occupants, let it be. But if they're eating more than their fair share of your crops or causing damage to your property, here's how to handle them with kindness.
Sprinkle granular repellents near a groundhog's burrow and also around your garden to form a barrier, or spray them on plants to make them distasteful. Human hair, pet fur and used kitty litter may also work, along with electronic spikes that use sound or vibration and motion-activated sprinklers. Mimic predators.
They are animals of the wild and any damages caused by groundhogs are considered to be a wildlife control services issue. This means that if you have a groundhog issue in your home, the best place to file your complaint would be a wildlife removal services office and not a county or city animal control office.
Immediately seal the burrow by placing the piece of precut sod, grass side down over the opening, and tramping it down slightly to make a tight seal. Wait three to four minutes and watch nearby holes. Seal them if smoke is escaping. Repeat steps 1 through 4 until all groundhog burrows are closed.
They are diurnal (most active during the day), with most activity around dawn and dusk. They hibernate beginning in October or November and emerge in mid to late-February.
The first point is an important one — you can't dissuade a chuck from taking up residence once it has decided to do so. Putting mothballs down their holes, or pouring down Clorox is only a temporary cure. Even if they leave, they'll be back.
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.
Groundhog Guns
In many areas, hunters prefer hot . 22 centerfires for chasing groundhogs—rounds like the 223 Rem., 22-250 Rem., 224 Valkyrie and even the hot 220 Swift. You can also certainly hunt groundhogs with a 6mm like the 243 Winchester or 6mm Creedmoor, but in many areas long shots and hot loads are required.
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.
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.
Groundhogs are diurnal creatures and most active during the morning and late afternoon. Disengage a set trap during evening hours to prevent catching an unwanted critter. Groundhogs avoid humans and will avoid a trap if it carries human scent.
Since groundhogs don't like to live in a wet burrow, they'll avoid going back inside and move on to someplace else. After you flood the hole, plug it with dirt, sand, or gravel to deter a groundhog from coming back.
Garlic and Pepper – Groundhogs hate the smell of garlic and pepper, crush some up and sprinkle in their holes and around your garden to prevent them from entering. You can even mix some up in a spray bottle with water and spray it on your flowers or vegetables.
Noel Falk, the “Plant Doctor” had recommended using “Double Bubble” brand bubble gum to eliminate groundhogs. Supposedly groundhogs love this particular brand of bubble gum, but once they eat it, it gums up their insides and ultimately kills them.
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.