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.
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.
Groundhog removal costs $150 to $300 on average, depending on the method, location, and difficulty. The cost to remove a groundhog is $200 to $350 for the common live trap and relocation method. Woodchuck removal costs typically include a minimum $100 to $200 initial site visit and inspection fee.
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.
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.
Partially dig the entrance out. Clear vegetation away from entrances. Put a harmless but strong-smelling substance just inside the entrance, such as urine-saturated clumps of kitty litter or a capsaicin-based repellent.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
But depending on where the property is, discharging a firearm could be unsafe or violate municipal ordinances. Although shooting a nuisance groundhog isn't considered hunting, if shots were fired within the safety zone established by another home (150 yards for firearms), it could result in a citation.
The primary predators of groundhogs are hawks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, dogs and humans. However, motorized vehicles kill many groundhogs each year.
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.
It shouldn't take too long considering the groundhog is living on the property, and the bait is posed as an easy source of food. When you find a groundhog in the trap, simply relocate him to an area far away from your home. You'll want to drop him off in a clearing that is about 2-5 miles away.
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.
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.
Dealing with pest animals and particularly relocating animals is an area that some county administrations have legislated against. This means that it is very important that you choose a location that will allow you to relocate without breaching any local laws.
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.
Food They Won't Eat
Presumably the nightshade family is as toxic to groundhogs as to humans, and they know it. You can safely grow potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Rodents also avoid Mediterranean herbs in the mint family such as rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, basil and lemon balm.
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.
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.
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.
Lifespan: In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three being average. In captivity, groundhogs reportedly live up to 14 years. Breeding: Groundhogs tend to be solitary except in the spring when a litter of four to six young are born.