How To Keep Woodchucks Out Of Garden

What are Woodchucks?

Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, whistlepigs, or land beavers, are chunky mammals belonging to the family Sciuridae, which also includes prairie dogs, marmots and ground squirrels. They are native to eastern North America and can be found in wooded and brushy areas. Woodchucks are small (with adults usually weighing 8-12 pounds when fully grown) but they are notoriously strong diggers and have extremely sharp claws. Woodchucks have lived in close proximity to humans for centuries; during the warm months, they're often spotted in gardens and rural yards foraging for food or relaxing in the sunshine.

What is the Problem with Woodchucks?

Woodchucks pose multiple problems whenever they decide to take up residence in human-inhabited areas. The most serious problem is the damage they can cause to gardens and yards; they're known to eat and dig up fruits, vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and trees. The den holes and tunnels they construct can run up to five feet deep in some cases, posing risks of collapse in some cases. In addition to these issues, woodchucks may spread disease and parasites.

How to Keep Woodchucks Out of the Garden

1. Fencing

The most effective way to keep woodchucks out of a garden is to install fencing around the entire perimeter. Fencing should be at least two feet high and constructed from metal or wooden boards. It should also be buried 6 to 12 inches into the ground to keep it from being dug up. The digging can be prevented by using an underground fence, which is a line of metal plates or wires buried 18 inches underground around the perimeter. This will also prevent the woodchucks from burrowing under the fence.

2. Repellants

There are many commercially available repellants designed to deter woodchucks from entering gardens and yards. These typically contain ingredients that cause a woodchuck to have a negative reaction, such as a foul smell or taste. Repellants should be applied to the perimeter of the garden and should be reapplied after rain or heavy wind.

3. Traps

Traps are a humane and effective way of getting rid of woodchucks in a garden. Traps should be placed near known burrow entrances. They should also be checked daily and the woodchucks should be released far away from the garden.

4. Scare Tactics

Woodchucks can also be deterred by making their presence in a garden uncomfortable. Scare tactics such as noise makers, motion-activated lights and water sprinklers can be used to make a woodchuck's stay in the garden unpleasant.

Final Word

Woodchucks pose a variety of problems for homeowners, but there are a variety of effective ways to keep them out of the garden. Fencing is the most reliable solution, but commercially available repellant, traps, and scare tactics also work. With a combination of these methods, woodchucks can be kept out of the garden for good.

Takeaways:

Woodchucks are found in eastern North America and can cause a variety of problems in human-inhabited areas.

The most effective way to keep woodchucks out of a garden is to install fencing.

Commercially available repellants, traps, and scare tactics can also be used to deter woodchucks.

A combination of these methods is usually necessary to keep woodchucks out of the garden for good.