I need help with Groundhog removal
I recently found that a rather bold groundhog has taken up residence under my poured concrete front porch steps. I would like to evict the groundhog, but haven't read anything encouraging about doing so. Everything I read said they are nearly impossible to remove unless trapped or shot. I don't feel confident about doing either of those things.
Websites also said that to block further incursion I would have to dig down and put 12 inches of metal straight down with a 6 inch section going horizontally to block them from digging. I fear that if I dig out enough to do that I will not only find more groundhogs who are displeased with my efforts but that there might be so many tunnels down there that the porch will cave in.
If anyone has simpler suggestions, I am super interested.
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A spicy pepper-based repellent will aggravate a groundhog's heightened sense of smell and taste. Applying one throughout your yard will keep groundhogs from entering certain areas, stop them from chewing on plants and surfaces, and/or prevent destructive digging and burrowing.
It's important to note that repellents are rarely effective in keeping a mother groundhog away from her young. You may want to determine whether there is a nest on your property before you try to drive a groundhog out.
Thank you so much! I will try to figure out if there's a nest with babies and will be investing in some spicy pepper repellent. I would rather relocate the critters (like with repellent!) than hurt them, but I really don't want them under my porch causing subsidence. Your solution seems ideal.
use a live trap and dispose of them. Don't move them to another area and give someone else the problems you have.