How I get rid of a groundhog

Cheryl Palmer
by Cheryl Palmer
  8 answers
  • Rebecca Bourke Rebecca Bourke on Aug 15, 2017

    Oh you can bring it here to Australia, they are so sweet, but to you probably a problem, wish you luck and peace to the ground hog. Xoxo

    sorry I couldn't help 😕

  • 13526476 13526476 on Aug 15, 2017

    The Farmers Almanac (https://www.farmersalmanac.com/home-garden/2017/01/30/get-rid-of-groundhogs-naturally/) provides the following information on how to rid your property of groundhogs.


    5 Natural Ways To Get Rid of Groundhogs

    by Farmers' Almanac Staff | Monday, January 30th, 2017 | From: Home and Garden

    Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, “whistle pigs,” or marmots, are rodents that can do a lot of damage to your lawns and gardens. Because they are excellent diggers (their dens can be extensive tunnel systems containing chambers, hallways, and multiple exits) they can weaken the soil, resulting in damage to foundations, barns, and farm equipment as well as cause possible injuries to livestock. And since groundhogs are herbivores, they enjoy making a meal on your garden plants, so all that hard work you put into it can be decimated in a single afternoon. They certainly make a nuisance of themselves.

    So what can you do? If you don’t own a dog, or you’re not comfortable trapping and releasing* (or don’t have the means to), consult our list of 5 effective, natural remedies to help keep them out, below. These ideas won’t harm the environment, family pets, or the groundhogs themselves.

    First, it’s important to know that prevention is very important when it comes to any rodent infestations. Try to identify and remove what they’re attracted to in your yard; for example, the fruit from apple trees, compost piles that contain fruit like melons (their favorite!), or wood piles. Consider a covered compost bin. And try to harvest your garden and pick up any fallen fruit often.

    Additionally, knowing the groundhog’s habits is key. The time when they emerge from their post-winter dens will differ depending on where you live (despite what you hear, most groundhogs are hibernating on February 2nd and are not popping up to see their shadows), and they’re active during the day. Spring is when they start mating so they’ll be very active during this time.

    (Continued Below)


    5 Natural Ways To Get Rid of Groundhogs

    1. Epsom salts sprinkled near or around the burrow entrances or exits will keep the groundhog away. If your plants are being eaten, try placing a tin pie plate filled with the salts near the plants. Replace after a rain.
    2. Castor oil poured in and around the burrow holes can be an effective way to discourage them (they hate the smell) but apply only when you know they’re not there, otherwise they’ll just stay burrowed. You’ll have to keep vigil to see when they head out to find food.
    3. Human hair clippings from your local barber or hair dresser can also work well because they dislike the scent of humans. Sprinkle clippings around areas where the groundhog frequents. Or to avoid it blowing away in the wind, place clippings in a fine mesh bag and secure it to a stake near the groundhog’s dwelling.
    4. Soiled kitty litter poured around one of the den holes (but not the other) is also effective as it smells like predator. Leaving one exit hole scent free allows them to escape rather than stay burrowed.
    5. Offensive Scents: There are certain smells groundhogs absolutely detest. If you can ensure these smells are present near their burrows and around the garden, you may be able to send them packing:
    6. Cayenne pepper – Our Farmers’ Almanac readers swear by this method: Simply pour cayenne pepper close to the groundhog’s holes. Buy a large container (bulk size) so you can create a small pile. When it rains, or is windy, you’ll have to reapply. It’s actually the smell and the heat they don’t like. You can also spray tender plants with a mixture of 2 teaspoons cayenne with 1 quart water to deter them from nibbling.
    7. Garlic – Crush some garlic cloves and spread the paste around areas of the garden you want groundhogs to avoid. Their sensitive noses can’t handle the pungent smell.
    8. Lavender – Try planting some lavender around the garden. While it smells lovely to us, groundhogs find it offensive and avoid the areas where it is. They also dislike the smell of these herbs: basil, chives, lemon balm, mint, sage, thyme, rosemary, and oregano.

    As a last resort, you might want to call the folks in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where we hear we they like the little guys!

    Fun Fact: Groundhogs are the largest member of the squirrel family.

    Wonder why groundhogs are known as “whistle pigs”? Listen to the sound they make in this video clip (you may have thought you were hearing a bird!):


    *Always check with your state wildlife agency before relocating any animals from your property. There may be laws in your area prohibiting you from doing so. Relocating groundhogs is illegal in some states due, in part, to fears of spreading rabies. You might want to check with them about what a safe distance is, depending on where you live.


  • Jinx Jinx on Aug 15, 2017

    Have mayor Di Blasio pick him up. He will drop him and kill him like he did to Puxatany Phil. 😢

  • Dorinda Dorinda on Aug 15, 2017

    You could contact your local animal control, and they will live trap him, and relocate him to another location.

  • Jacky Jacky on Aug 15, 2017

    I fenced my backyard (3/4 acre) with chain link to contain my 2 dogs....I did not bury the fence. That fence did NOT keep ground hogs and rabbits out, those that did get in were rapidly "dispatched(?)" by the dogs, but then I had to deal with the corpses... My retro-fit was to purchase 8' treated landscape timbers which I wired to the bottom of the fence "fabric", they fit nicely between the fence posts. And I placed single large rocks (basketball-size or larger) at the base of the posts. I haven't had to remove a dead 'hog or rabbit in 15 years. It didn't look very "pretty" at first, but I have a lot of myrtle/vinca major and transplanted starts along the outer perimeter of the fence (took me 2 years to do the whole thing). The myrtle has grown through the fence and locks the timbers to the ground. It looks GREAT. The only corpse I've had to remove was a deer that jumped the fence and the dogs killed one snowy morning. I called the DEC for that removal.

  • Genie Genie on Aug 15, 2017

    tried all sorts of things -- human hair, juicy fruit gum, those bombs -- best thing we found was 4 cats all sitting around the hole listening and waiting

  • Mar8875458 Mar8875458 on Aug 15, 2017

    If you don't have dogs or cats or small children, then mothballs down the holes or around the edge of property. These are poisonous to animals and children. The woodchucks and moles won't eat the mothballs. They don' t like the smell! Works for me.