Groundhogs are close cousins to squirrels, and so it is quite easy to confuse both animals. They are the largest population in the squirrel family. Groundhogs are nocturnal animals that are most active at night, and you will see the effects of their activities during the day when they are fast asleep in their burrows.
Groundhogs are small animals with strong feet, which help them dig through the soil and create labyrinths with different routes. These rodents are reservoirs for many diseases and therefore are of public health importance.
They also damage underground plumbing, wiring, and piping systems in your shed and porch and are a general nuisance. Their burrow entrances can cause mishaps to you and your pet, so you must eliminate them from under your shed and porch. They can also deface structures, and their burrowing activities make it easy for structures, especially the deck, to sink.
How to Evict Groundhogs from Your Property
- Remove Groundhog Attractants: Groundhogs, like other pests, visit your shed and porch searching for comfy shelter and food for sustenance. These animals usually feed on berries and vegetables and so you will have unwelcome house guests if you have ripe fruits within their reach. Keeping out these critters requires lots of sanitary practices but will be worthwhile in the end.
Do not leave fruits on trees. Harvest them as soon as they are ripe and throw out overripe fruits from the garden near the shed or porch. Make sure the environment is always clean. - Fencing: Groundhogs are skilled climbers, but they prefer to burrow their way under the shed and porch, so building a fence that is at least a foot deep will keep them away. Keeping the shed uncluttered may also help to keep these critters away.
- Make Their Burrow Unfit: Fill up burrow entrances as soon as you observe them. Do not tire of filling up these burrows and discourage the groundhogs from digging. This way, you will discourage them from making a home under your porch or shed.
- Try Decoys: Put decoy animals like snakes and owls in intentional parts within your shed, porch, and garden and attach bright lights to them. This makes the groundhog nervous and edgy. They are shy animals and will leave instead of engaging the decoys.
- Humane Trapping: If you presently have a groundhog problem, you may have to trap the animal. This requires experience and skills that may involve the service of a professional.
- The right type of cage. There are many types of cages in stores and outlets from which you can select. The cage should have a door that springs shut once the animal goes into it and must come in the right size.
- Camouflage and bait. This will prevent the groundhog from being suspicious and wary of the trap. It is also necessary to mask your scent and remove any scents that the groundhog considers threatening.
- Remove and relocate the groundhog. Call the wildlife control and removal department in your state to relocate the groundhog when you successfully trap the animal. The relocation of wildlife is against most states' laws. So to avoid legal battles, you must know the animal protection laws of your state or hire professionals to help in groundhog elimination.
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