Woodchucks (Groundhogs) and Their Control
Woodchucks are a common farm and garden pest. Their love for
home-grown vegetables is well known - to the chagrin of those hoping to harvest what they
have worked so hard to produce. Woodchucks are fairly large animals and are related to the
squirrel family. Their diet is generally herbaceous. They will eat quite a variety of
foods such as lettuce, spinach, green beans, peas, squash, zucchini and cucumbers. They are known to eat
berries as well.
Woodchucks will commonly nest underground beneath homes or sheds.
Being a large animal, the opening is anywhere from 4 or 5 inches to as much as 8 or 9
inches in diameter.
Control Measures
Because of its ability to dig underground, fencing this animal
out is virtually impossible. Most commonly, people will live trap these animals with traps
such as a Havahart
TM
cage trap. Suggested bait for trapping
includes fresh green vegetables such as spinach, green beans, lettuce, etc. or
slices of apple.
It is recommended that the trapped animal be transported at least
10 miles from its normal habitat. Note that many state and local governments
regulate trapping of wild/nuisance animals - you may want to check with local
authorities first.
If a
woodchuck is living in an opening which is not directly next to a home, it is possible to
use smoke "bombs" containing sulfur as the toxicant, to kill the
woodchuck underground. This product, is
much like a large match. When burned, it creates sulfur dioxide smoke for a few minutes.
The burning cartridge shaped product is placed into the burrow opening and is
covered with dirt and rocks. The sulfur dioxide contained there kills the animal in its
burrow. The product we sell for this purpose is called The Giant Destroyer. For
more information on this and other products, click here.
Caution should be observed with woodchucks as they are capable of
carrying rabies. Normally, woodchucks are fearful of humans. If you see a
woodchuck that is not acting normally or is approaching you, be sure to avoid
contact with it.
If you need further information,
it is available through county Cooperative
Extension
agencies within the United States.
The Bug Clinic is here to provide you with free,
friendly advice. In addition, we offer the products mentioned above for sale on
line at our web store or by calling us.
We may be reached at
800-433-1128 or 845-356-2837 weekdays between 8 am and 4 pm ET. You may send us a fax at 845-746-9018 or you can send us
E-mail at
drbugclinic@bugclinic.com.
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