How to get rid of ground hog?

Annie
by Annie

A huge about of work was devoured last night by a ground hog. This was his second meal. Huge caladiums and hostas sheared off to the ground. I know about havaheart traps but am leary about my ability to transfer the bugger without being bitten. Does anyone have experience with other methods? I’ve seen devices that make ultrasonic sounds but skeptical about that, too. I found his burrow a few weeks back and flushed it with water and ammonia. I know he may have others but haven’t found them.

I guess he was really hungry!

early shot in Spring...they were 3 feet tall last night.

  13 answers
  • Marc Erick Marc Erick on Aug 19, 2018

    Hi. I had the same problem this summer. After googling, I found many tips... believe it or not, it was suggested to place cat droppingsat the borrows. I did this... and it worked. Since then the little bugger has not returned. I'm Not sure if this is an option for you but hopefully this helps a bit. Much luck! 😊

  • Kelly-n-Tony Kelly-n-Tony on Aug 19, 2018

    We just caught 2 this summer using live traps. The bigger one was difficult and nearly tore the trap up trying to get out. We put a rubber mat down in the car and transported him away from the house. They do cause alot of damage, that's for sure!

  • Annie Annie on Aug 19, 2018

    That’s what I’m afraid of!

  • Sandra Sandra on Aug 20, 2018

    Home Depot and Lowe's sell products for this!

  • Leola Specht Leola Specht on Aug 20, 2018

    Bummer that you went through all that effort to have the hostas devoured. Probably not what you want to hear but I delight in watching the groundhogs in my yard - nifty critters that waddle around munching. Just want a healthy free life like we do . Believe it or not, I have A LOT of hostas in my yard and also groundhogs!

    When I need to plant things, I use only plants and trees that are native to the area of my home. I planted Black Eyed Susan’s and a baby ground hog nearly devoured the plant in late Spring. Luckily the plant still bloomed beautifully in Summer - it was like a natural Spring priming. So be parent when an organism eats something - it may make it.

    Once you create a native habitat, the plants, insects and other wildlife tend to keep each other in balance. Sometimes young organisms need to eat a certain something or other in the garden. Often they munch away but the plant survives. If you have lots of native planting’s in your yard. Sometimes something gets completely devoured - bummer - then usually I don’t plant that anymore.

    If you have a deer over population in your area, efforts may be futile because the plant life can’t recover From constant deer grazing. Man has removed habitat for natural deer prediditors. Try to find native plants and trees the deer don’t eat if you can’t thin the deer over population.

    • Annie Annie on Aug 20, 2018

      I appreciate your live and let live point of view and I must admit the guilty party is adorable. We live in a wooded area and he has a virtual buffet of yummy stuff to freely devour. We’re loaded with deer too, and what goes on with them is very sad.

  • Wendy Wendy on Aug 20, 2018

    Peppermint essential oil works well to deter animals they have sensitive noses and don’t like the smell you might want to plant some mint in your garden in pots as it’s pretty invasive but keeps the critters away!! We used the solar ultrasonic things you put in the ground and it kept the moles away but only lasted a year..

  • Cheryl Cheryl on Aug 20, 2018

    We had one at my apartment complex. I have ferrets and just stuffed some poop down the hole and he was gone in a flash. Non toxic, great fertilizer and it works. Win Win Win.

  • Nan Nan on Aug 20, 2018

    I have used mothballs and put them on the ground and then shoved a few into the hole. So far that's done the best to detour them from burrowing under the deck and rock wall. Good luck!!

  • Oldwestman Oldwestman on Aug 20, 2018

    Probably not the answer you are looking for but a dose of .222 usually does the trick. Then skin gut and parboil the meat with a good mushroom soup mix and garlic seasoning, cook until tender and the meat falls off the bone.

    • See 1 previous
    • Dfm Dfm on Sep 18, 2018

      The 3 “S” method.....shoot,shovel, shut up. Works great.

  • GARY GARY on Aug 20, 2018

    I tried everything on the market to deter them when they lived out under our barn, but when they dug under our century old home and I could hear them chewing on the floor joists they had to go! We called the wild life pest control guys who were shocked to see how many lived in our yard in the middle of town. Now after setting 5 traps at least 6 are gone and I hope they don't return.

  • Mar11490696 Mar11490696 on Aug 20, 2018

    I got rid of groundhog by using ammonia on a rag and putting it in the hole and close it. they think it's animal smell. Worked for me.

  • Pikeguy Pikeguy on Aug 20, 2018

    This honestly works...pee in a jar, pour it in down their hole, or around your plants. It's the predator enzyme that is the deterrent. Human hair works, but makes a mess.

  • DD DD on Sep 18, 2018

    WOW I have to say some of these answers great! I had one living under our shed and we used a havahart trap with cantaloupe it took a while but we finally did get it we cover the trap with an old sheet and put plastic down in the car and set it free down by a lake we have that is about 3 miles away.