June 03, 2006

Getting rid of groundhogs

Persuading groundhogs (or woodchucks if you prefer), skunks and other burrowing beasties to move on is something that a lot of gardeners have to contend with. In my experience with skunks, and with the experience of numerous neighbours with groundhogs, there is a very simple, effective and rapid solution. And it's free!

Simply pour human urine around the entrance of the offender's burrow. The interloper will decide the neighbourhood has gone downhill and move to new quarters in less than 24 hours. This probably works with smaller burrowers also, but I can't speak from personal experience. Then plug up the entrance thoroughly so it won't tempt the next critter waddling through. Some stone rubble in there makes it less likely that someone else will dig it up within the week.

I just put a jar in the bathroom and ask the menfolk to fill it up. Others have been known to go the direct application route, but don't you dare go telling anybody that I recommended it! I don't want to be held responsible for the downhill slide of your reputation!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm trying your advice today! I have at least 4 holes around my house from groundhogs and have started using human urine today.
I am worried they'll just move further along the sides of the house though. I was considering just pouring the urine all around the perimeter of the house!
Thanks for your tip!

Janet said...

Hope it works well for you, Kristin! Anyone who has ever reported back to me has told me it worked. Never heard of anybody trying it all around the house though. If you try it, make sure you do the burrows as well. I have more confidence in that method.

Dale said...

Janet,
In your experence do the ground hogs dig another hole near by or do they leave town?

Dale

Anonymous said...

Dale, my experience has been on small properties, and they have moved on altogether. On larger properties, they might just move to another corner, so you'd probably have to be watchful for a few days and keep um "annoying" them till they leave altogether.

Anybody who has experiences to share along this line is definitely invited to do so.

Anonymous said...

Hi Janet,

I just found your information. We have a repeater here again - 2nd year. I will give your idea a try and let you know if we were successful.

Thanks for your tip.

Vicky (Timmins, Ontario)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the information Janet. I relocated a mother and family of 6 or more today from my garden shed with a combination of talk radio, light on overnight, ammonia plus digging and installing chicken wire around the foundation of the shed one foot or more deep except for one hole. I returned home after shopping for two hours to find the mother with babe in mouth headed out the remaining hole.

Janet said...

Congratulations on your success. The chicken wire, while a lot of work, should be pretty effective in preventing other pests from taking up residence. Fortunately, I've never had to face repeated "infestations".

Joe said...

Started last night. I was trying to trap, but i caught 2 rabbits and 1 raccoon so far. His main whole is 6 ft away from my garden,in my neighbors yard. Last night I saw the groundhog eat one of my tomato plants... ugh.

Today is day 2. I will be keeping a close eye on him....

P Villarreal said...

Will have to try your method. We obtained a live trap from DNR. In 2 days we have trapped 2 squirrels.
Thank you for the info.

Anonymous said...

Ken Said It does work I do this at the garden gate and thought that dogs make this way so ....it works just need to fresh it up daily