This is a list of what a woodchuck eats:
- Plant life such as alfalfa, grasses, clover, tree bark, chickweed, leaves
- Fruits such as berries, oranges, bananas, apples, tomatoes, watermelon
- Vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, onions, potatoes, cucumbers, peppers
- Flowers including dandelions, daisies, geraniums, hydrangeas, marigolds, and sunflowers
- Fish
Do Woodchucks like bananas?
Woodchucks eat oranges, bananas, apples, blueberries, grapes, mulberries, strawberries, squash, pumpkins, and watermelon. These are just some of the many fruits that woodchucks are able to eat. Vegetation is a big part of the diet of woodchucks.
Do Woodchucks eat chickens?
Will woodchucks eat chickens? Groundhogs are primarily plant eaters, and are not known to eat either chicken or chicken eggs. While they do eat insects, snails, and small bird’s eggs on occasion, they are most likely interested in getting at your chicken’s feed rather than the chickens themselves. Contents hide 1 What animals do woodchucks eat?
Are Woodchucks good eating?
Woodchucks are herbivores that can eat a lot every day, consuming everything from flowers, vegetables, and fruits to bark. Still, groundhogs do have some plants they prefer. Planting their favorite sources of food can be a useful tool to convince groundhogs to move to another area of the property — or into the woods near your home.
Do Woodchucks eat carrots?
Vegetation is a big part of the diet of woodchucks. In fact, woodchucks eat carrots, corn, lettuce, asparagus, acorns, cabbage, potatoes, onions, cucumbers, celery, garlic, kale, peppers, and other various vegetables. Woodchucks will sometimes eat flowers and plants as well.
What can I feed wild woodchucks?
A woodchuck eats a diet that includes fruits, vegetables, insects, eggs, small rodents, reptiles, and amphibians. They are classified as omnivores. Plantlife makes up the main portion of a woodchuck's diet. They eat grass, clover, and chickweed along with various types of wildflowers.
What are groundhogs favorite food?
Favorite foods include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lettuce, broccoli, plantain, and soybeans. Groundhogs will often devour your seedlings before they even have time to grow. Rabbits and deer eat some of the same plants, so make sure to check for burrows before concluding that you have groundhogs.
Is it OK to feed groundhogs?
Plants- Alfalfa, clovers, dandelions, maple leaves, daisies, grass, flowers, chicken weed, sorrel (leafy green vegetable) are some plants groundhogs cherish. A garden full of plants is a paradise for groundhogs. Ferns are another plant they like to eat. In spring and summer, plants are plentiful for groundhogs to eat.
What food is irresistible to groundhogs?
Expert Baiting Tips In Havahart® field tests, cantaloupe was the best bait for attracting groundhogs and woodchucks. Cut cantaloupe into 2" cubes, and rub the cantaloupe juice and rind throughout the inside and outside of the trap.
Do woodchucks eat apples?
Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, live in burrows but can and do climb trees. They're particularly fond of apples.
Do groundhogs eat peanut butter?
Yes, they do and nuts are a natural part of their diet. Peanut butter is a very high protein food that appeals to groundhogs. They naturally enjoy eating peanuts and other types of plants that contain protein.
Are groundhogs friendly to humans?
Interactions within a female's group are generally friendly. But interactions between female groups - even when those groups are shared by the same adult male - are rare and aggressive.
Do groundhogs eat apples?
Most Common Groundhog Meals Primarily, groundhogs eat grasses, clover, alfalfa, and dandelions. In addition, groundhogs like to eat garden fruits and vegetables like berries, apples, lettuce, corn, and carrots.
Do groundhogs eat bananas?
Groundhogs eat bananas by grabbing them from people's trash or compost. Then they eat the fruit inside, often chomping it up in several bites. They rarely live in climates that allow banana palm trees to grow, but if they encountered one, they would probably not be able to climb onto the plants to steal the bananas.
What time of day are groundhogs most active?
Activity: Groundhogs are diurnal (active during the day) from spring to fall. Most activity occurs during the early morning and early evening hours, at which groundhogs emerge from their burrows to gather food.
What is the difference between a woodchuck and a groundhog?
What is the Difference Between a Groundhogs and a Woodchuck? There is no difference between a groundhog and a woodchuck. In fact, the terms woodchuck and groundhog are interchangeable.
Do groundhogs bite?
Are groundhogs aggressive? These animals are not usually aggressive towards dogs or humans, but will bite in retaliation if threatened. If one happens to bite you, the injury will most likely be non-threatening.
What attracts groundhogs to your yard?
Groundhogs are especially attracted to sweet fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, peaches, or corn. They also love lettuce, cucumber, and green beans. Place the bait all the way inside the trap so that the groundhog has to enter the trap fully.
What is the best bait to catch a groundhog?
Place your trap near the burrow or area that the groundhog frequently visits. Then bait the trap, many people have had great success using sunflower seeds, peanut butter and corn, however cantaloupe is often the preferred bait.
What time of day do groundhogs come out?
Activity: Groundhogs are diurnal (active during the day) from spring to fall. Most activity occurs during the early morning and early evening hours, at which groundhogs emerge from their burrows to gather food. Hibernation: Groundhogs are true hibernators, entering a deep sleep in October and emerging in early spring.
Do groundhogs like bananas?
By the time they leave their mothers, they can eat the same foods as adult groundhogs. Captive baby groundhogs typically live on a diet of ebsilac powder until their old enough to tolerate other foods. From there, common foods include mashed fruits like bananas or apples, as well as fresh greens.
What Does a Woodchuck Eat?
Woodchucks are omnivores that eat a variety of foods, ranging from fruits to frogs.
What animals eat woodchucks?
Foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and badgers all eat woodchucks. All of these predators inhabit the same habitat as woodchucks.
How Do Woodchucks Hunt Prey?
When plants, fruits, and vegetables are not easily accessible in their habitat, woodchucks hunt for small rodents, insects, amphibians, and reptiles.
How to keep woodchucks away from my garden?
Sprinkle cayenne pepper around your garden. This is likely to discourage woodchucks from visiting your garden because they don’t like the scent of this spice.
Where do woodchucks live?
Woodchucks live in Canada as well as throughout the eastern half of the United States. They make their burrows in woodlands, meadows, and fields. These mammals are highly skilled at finding something to eat in almost any environment.
Do woodchucks like human hair?
Human hair clippings have been known to discourage woodchucks from entering a garden. They don’t like the scent of humans on the hair. A bag of hair clippings gathered from a recent haircut can be a deterrent to these small animals.
Do woodchucks eat vegetables?
While a woodchuck eats items in their woodland or meadow habitat, they also visit backyard gardens in search of the fruits and vegetables they love. Not surprisingly, many people with backyard gardens do all they can to prevent woodchucks from getting at their vegetables and fruits!
When do woodchucks eat?
Woodchucks are active during the day. In summer they commonly feed in the early morning and the late afternoon, spending the rest of the day sleeping or basking in the sun.
What is a woodchuck?
The woodchuck ( Marmota monax), belongs to the marmot family, and goes by many names, including groundhog and whistle pig due to the sound they make through their large teeth to warn one another of danger. While there are several species of marmots in North America, our woodchuck is found mostly in the eastern United States and across much ...
How deep do woodchucks live?
Woodchucks live in extensive burrows two- to six-feet deep and up to 40 feet long that contain numerous chambers with specific functions, such as for nesting or for wastes. You can usually spot the main entrance by an adjacent large mound of dirt, which these animals use for observation and sun-basking.
How many kits are in a woodchuck litter?
One litter contains four to six kits. The young open their eyes at four weeks and are weaned at six weeks, when they’re ready to leave the burrow with their mother. In the fall the young woodchucks venture off to seek their own territories.
How big do groundhogs get?
They often grow up to 20 inches in length, with a tail that measures roughly six inches long, and generally weigh between six and 12 pounds.
When is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day. Every year on February 2, Americans turn their attention to a small furry little animal. According to legend, if the groundhog (or woodchuck) sees his or her shadow there will be six more weeks of winter, but if not, spring is on the way.
Do woodchucks dig holes in lawn?
To the dismay of gardeners, woodchucks love fresh vegetables and flowers. Additionally, some homeowners find the burrowing holes woodchucks dig in the lawn a nuisance. Fortunately, there are several non-lethal ways to deter these animals.
What are woodchucks?
Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs are chubby little animals that usually reside in dugouts and burrows besides being a nuisance in your garden. They like stealing fruits and vegetables like strawberries and cantaloupe due to their sweetness. Though they don’t pose the same risk as squirrels or rats, woodchucks can still be dangerous ...
How to bait a woodchuck?
Place the bait in the woodchuck’s burrow entrance and then position the baited trap around 3 ft from the burrow. Make sure you wear gloves when handling the product to avoid transferring the smell and baiting it yourself. It’s affordable that the smell only attracts groundhogs sparing not-targeted rodents.
What are the different types of woodchuck baits?
Types of baits. Woodchuck baits come in three main categories: food, aroma, and professional baits. Foods that woodchucks find attractive can be used as bait. They include apples, peanut butter, corn, and any other spicy natural food.
What bait to use to keep a squid away from my garden?
You can use vanilla extract, string beans, or sweet corn instead. This bait will attract them far away from your garden or yard without harming them.
What is the best woodchuck bait?
Russ Carman High Noon Groundhog Lure – Great woodchuck bait. High Noon Lure from Russ Carman is one of the best woodchucks lures on the market and is made in the USA. Its specially made for woodchucks and is effective even against the big woodchucks that are locked up.
Does JT Eaton 704-AP block anticoagulant kill woodchucks?
It comes in a pail with 64 blocks weighing an ounce each which is enough to deal with a large infestation of woodchucks in your home or farm. The blocks have holes at the center for easy use with bait stations. The bait is effective for long-term use in agricultural areas as well as indoors. It kills rats and mice too since it’s a 1st-generation anticoagulant that contains Diphacinone as the active ingredient.
Is a woodchuck bait one purpose or multi purpose?
One-purpose vs multi-purpose bait. Based on usage, baits fall under either one-purpose or multi-purpose. One-purpose baits are meant to work on a single kind of rodent. For a woodchuck, a one-purpose bait will be more effective due to its narrow use. It contains elements only attractive to woodchucks and not to other animals.
What is a woodchuck?
The woodchuck (a.k.a. groundhog) is often caught between being a celebrity and a villain. One day we rely on their shadow to forecast the seasons; the next we grumble as they make a meal of our carefully planted garden vegetables. Even when the potential for conflict is high, there are ways to deal with woodchucks that make it possible ...
Why are woodchucks bad for farm animals?
The woodchuck's burrow systems are regarded as problems on agricultural land, because farm machines can be harmed when they run over a mound. And many horse owners fear their horses will trip over woodchuck burrows in paddocks and injure themselves.
How do woodchucks get harried?
Woodchucks can be harried from burrows by harassment assaulting the animal's senses, or by disturbing the burrow system. However, there is only a small window of time in the year when this can be done humanely, so timing is crucial.
How to test if a burrow is vacant?
Before closing a burrow, first test for activity: Loosely plug all of the burrow entrances (there may be several) with grass clippings, newspaper, or similar material and monitor activity to determine if the burrow is currently vacant.
When to evict woodchucks from burrows?
The best time to evict woodchucks from burrows is from mid- to late summer or between early July and late September in most areas. If you watch closely, you may actually see the young woodchucks as they first venture above-ground.
When do woodchucks evict?
Before attempting to evict and exclude woodchucks, consider that breeding female woodchucks have dependent young in their burrows from late winter until spring or early summer , and evicting them during this time can be inhumane.
What to put in a cat's entrance?
Put some harmless but strong-smelling substance just inside the entrance (such as urine-saturated clumps of kitty litter).
Where do woodchucks live?
The most commonly-known woodchuck species, the Marmota monax or groundhog, mainly lives in the eastern part of North America but also extends into the Northwest. The other five species, however, are all located in the West, and have the common name “marmot.” Groundhogs are generally found in open and closed forests and bushy areas. In agricultural areas, they live along creeks, pastures and wooded areas where they can create extensive burrow systems.
What are Groundhogs?
Groundhogs are also referred to as woodchucks or whistle pigs. They are a member of the squirrel family. There are six species of woodchucks and marmots that occur in the United States. These animals commonly invade cropland and vegetable gardens, eating or destroying vegetables and landscape plants. Although groundhogs are slow runners, they scurry quickly to their dens when they sense danger. The primary predators of groundhogs are hawks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, dogs and humans. However, motorized vehicles kill many groundhogs each year. Keep reading for more groundhog/woodchuck facts, and to learn how to get rid of groundhogs.
Why are groundhogs considered a nuisance pest?
Groundhogs are considered a nuisance pest because they can cause extensive damage to home gardens, farms, orchards and field crops as a result of their feeding and burrowing habits. When burrowing, they have been known to destroy building foundations, create unwanted holes on lawns and cause electrical outages from gnawing on underground wires.
What are the predators of groundhogs?
The primary predators of groundhogs are hawks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, dogs and humans . However, motorized vehicles kill many groundhogs each year. Keep reading for more groundhog/woodchuck facts, and to learn how to get rid of groundhogs. Groundhog Identification Groundhog Prevention Groundhog Education.
When do groundhogs hibernate?
Groundhogs are among the few mammals that enter into true hibernation, which generally starts in late fall near the end of October and continues until late February. Every year on February 2, people around the country celebrate Groundhog Day, a tradition that centers around the idea of a groundhog emerging from its hibernation to "predict" the weather. If the groundhog sees its shadow and returns to its burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter. But, if the animal does not see its shadow, then spring is right around the corner. The Groundhog Day ceremony featuring Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania is the most popular.
How big are groundhogs?
Adult groundhogs range anywhere from 16 to 22 inches in length and weigh anywhere between five and 13 pounds. Their bodies are compact and chunky, and covered in brownish gray fur with a short tail. Groundhogs have four legs and their front feet also have long, curved claws for digging burrows.
Is there a difference between a woodchuck and a groundhog?
There is no difference between a groundhog and a woodchuck. In fact, the terms woodchuck and groundhog are interchangeable.
What do you need to get rid of groundhogs?
All you will need is bait and trap to lure the groundhog and then get rid of it.
What to do if a groundhog chews on bait?
Once the groundhog is lured into the cage and starts chewing on the bait, it is time to close the cage and capture the groundhog. After that, you should take it to a local wildlife removal authority so that they can release the groundhog in a safe habitat.
How Much Does It Cost to Have Groundhogs Removed?
At times groundhogs can be hard to remove, especially when there are too many of them present under the ground in your yard.
What is the best way to keep groundhogs away from my house?
Electronic Repellents. Electronic repellents (including water sprayers, sound machines, solar-powered spikes, etc) are placed to effectively drive away groundhogs from your property. Most of these work on the premise of motion sensors and at times a groundhog is found close to your yard.
Why do groundhog baits wilt?
If you live in a place where temperatures are warm then you will have to be even more careful with your bait. This is because a hot temperature can cause the baits to wilt in the heat. This will defeat the purpose of your bait as the groundhog will not be able to detect its smell.
How much space do you need for a groundhog cage?
A good rule of thumb is to go for a cage that has at least 20 – 25 inches of space as groundhogs are big. Do remember that you shouldn’t buy any trap or cage that will injure or hurt the groundhogs in any way. This is because many states have a law that states you can’t kill a groundhog.
Why do groundhogs smell apples?
This is because apples have a strong smell that a groundhog can easily detect from far.
How to protect your garden from woodchucks?
You’ll need to consider that woodchucks can enter your garden in three ways: they can burrow into the garden, walk right in, or climb over fencing . There are a couple of options for protecting your garden with a groundhog-proof fence.
What plants repel woodchucks?
This won’t keep groundhogs away from delicious, ripe fruit and tasty vegetables but you can probably protect flower beds or at least discourage groundhogs by adding plants they really don’t like to your landscape. Crown imperial fritillary (F. imperialis) and gopher plant (Euphorbia lathyrus) are reported to repel groundhogs. Pennsylvania State University offers a long list of groundhog resistant plants that they are unlikely to eat including hummingbird plants, cut flower garden plants, herbs, vegetables, and more.
What do woodchucks use their claws for?
These rodents use their sharp claws to dig complicated and multi-chambered burrows that are used for nesting, building food reserves, and hibernating. Each den or chamber in a woodchuck burrow has its own purpose — including the bathroom. Don’t underestimate just how extensive a single groundhog can make its burrow.
How to get rid of groundhogs in my garden?
Set the trap up near one of the groundhog’s burrow openings or an area they frequently search for food like the garden. Bait the trap with something groundhogs love. The best option is cantaloupe, flavorful treat groundhogs have trouble resisting with an odor they can pick up from quite a distance.
What to do if you have a groundhog?
Sometimes the best or only solution for a groundhog is trapping it. You may need to trap the groundhog if it’s burrowing close to your home or under your deck where it can cause serious damage or pose a risk to you and your family.
How to release a groundhog?
Once the groundhog is trapped, remember that it’s very frightening and may try to bite or lash out. Handle the trap carefully when relocating the groundhog by covering the trap with a cloth and wearing heavy-duty gloves. When you’re ready to release the groundhog, place the trap on level ground with the door facing away from you. Stand behind the cage and manipulate the door mechanism, allowing the groundhog to run straight out and away from you.
When will woodchucks be in 2021?
April 22, 2021. March 22, 2021. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are unique animals known for burrowing. These large rodents can reach up to 12 pounds and they’re found across the eastern and central U.S. and into Canada. Unlike some rodents, you can have a groundhog problem without ever seeing the animals as woodchucks spend most ...
Groundhogs Habits and Biology
What Do Groundhogs Like to Eat most?
- Woodchuckseat a wide variety of plants, greens, and vegetables. Did you know that they also eat flowers? Here’s a breakdown of what our cute friends love to eat. 1. Plants- Alfalfa, clovers, dandelions, maple leaves, daisies, grass, flowers, chicken weed, sorrel (leafy green vegetable) are some plants groundhogs cherish. A garden full of plants is ...
Tips For Feeding Groundhogs
- Groundhogs are creatures that can fend for themselves and look for food in warmer months. However, you may come across an orphaned baby groundhog that needs your help. Where would you even begin? Here are tips to take care of a petbaby groundhog. 1. First and foremost, you must keep the baby groundhog warm. 2. It would be better to wear gardening gloves as you nee…
FAQs
- How can you get rid of groundhogs?
You can use human hair clippings as groundhogs don’t like the smell of humans. Groundhogs also dislike the smell of castor oil, which you can pour on the openings of the burrows when the groundhog is away. - Can groundhogs get into houses?
A groundhog can create a tunnel beneath your house, causing damage and loosening the ground upon which your home is built.
Summary
- Groundhogs spend their lives eating and sleeping. They may be quite a nuisance due to their destructive eating habits, but you can’t deny their fantastic ability to hibernate for many months. These creatures love their freedom, and if you happen to come across one, don’t be scared.
Identification
Behavior
- Woodchucks are active during the day. In summer they commonly feed in the early morning and the late afternoon, spending the rest of the day sleeping or basking in the sun. Woodchucks are among the few true hibernators found in Massachusetts. In late summer they begin to put on weight in preparation for the move to their winter dens, often located in wooded areas. They hib…
Food & Diet
- Mainly vegetarians, woodchucks feed on a variety of grasses and chickweeds, clover, plantains, and many varieties of wild and cultivated flowers. They eat blackberries, raspberries, cherries, and other fruits, along with the bark of hickory and maple trees. Of course, to the chagrin of gardeners, woodchucks love fresh produce, as well. They will ev...
Life Cycle
- Woodchucks do not mate until their second year. (The average life span for a woodchuck in the wild is five to six years.) Males and females breed in March or April, after which they have no further contact; the female raises the young alone. Woodchucks give birth from early April to mid-May following a 32-day gestation period. One litter contains four to six kits. The young open thei…
Woodchuck Burrows
- Woodchucks live in extensive burrows two- to six-feet deep and up to 40 feet long that contain numerous chambers with specific functions, such as for nesting or for wastes. You can usually spot the main entrance by an adjacent large mound of dirt, which these animals use for observation and sun-basking. In addition, there may be as many as five other openings to the de…
Situations & Solutions
- To the dismay of gardeners, woodchucks love fresh vegetables and flowers. Additionally, some homeowners find the burrowing holes woodchucks dig in the lawn a nuisance. Fortunately, there are several non-lethal ways to deter these animals. Learn More >
Groundhog Day
- Every year on February 2, Americans turn their attention to a small furry little animal. According to legend, if the groundhog (or woodchuck) sees his or her shadow there will be six more weeks of winter, but if not, spring is on the way. The peculiarity of this tradition has earned it a beloved place in American folklore. Discover the history of Groundhog Day >