What can I feed wild woodchucks?
Woodchucks eat 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. Plants- Alfalfa, clovers, dandelions, maple leaves, daisies, grass, flowers, chicken weed, sorrel (leafy green vegetable) are some plants groundhogs cherish.
What do groundhogs like to eat the most?
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.
What foods do groundhogs eat?
Primarily herbivores, groundhogs eat a variety of plants, including from people's gardens. But they also may eat things we consider pests, such as grubs, other insects, and snails. They are even reported to eat other small animals such as baby birds.
What vegetables do groundhogs eat?
Their favorite foods include young, tender greens like lettuce and cabbage, as well as cantaloupes, green beans, cucumbers, zucchini, and corn. Pick them as soon as they're ripe instead of leaving them in the garden for a few days.
Will 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.
Do woodchucks eat lettuce?
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.
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 is the difference between a groundhog and a woodchuck?
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.
What time of day do groundhogs eat?
Groundhogs eat mostly during the early morning and afternoon, so try to see when your garden is receiving the most damage. These creatures will also gnaw and claw at fruit trees, so check your trees for any such marks.
Do groundhogs drink water?
Thought not to drink water, groundhogs are reported to obtain needed liquids from the juices of food-plants, aided by their sprinkling with rain or dew.
What do groundhogs find irresistible?
One of the best foods to use for baiting your trap would be that which your groundhog steals from your garden. If you aren't sure, groundhogs are attracted to herbaceous green plants and sweet fruits - choose a ripe, nutrient-rich food or vegetable as bait.
Do groundhogs like potatoes?
Groundhogs eat a variety of root vegetables, which they enjoy almost as much as fruits. Some of their favorite root vegetables are carrots, potatoes, and beets.
What is a woodchuck?
Woodchuck is a colloquial name for a fun little animal that is also sometimes considered a pest, the groundhog. A woodchuck can quickly wreak havoc on a home vegetable garden, or even on a decorative garden. Humane traps are one of the common ways to rid yourself of the pesky animal. These type of traps require something to bait the animal, ...
How to get rid of woodchucks in a trap?
The woodchucks like it fresh or older. Cut in chunks about 2 inches or so, a cube of cut cantaloupe. Take a piece of the fruit and rub it all over the parts of the trap. This helps cover any scent the woodchuck may be cautious about. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Where did the word "woodchuck" come from?
The name woodchuck more likely comes from the Native American words for the common groundhog. In Cree, the word sounded like otchek, in Algonquin it was closer to wuchak. No matter how much wood you throw at a woodchuck, it’s going to prefer a tasty cantaloupe or ear of corn over a chucked chunk of wood.
Can woodchucks destroy a vegetable garden?
String beans. A group of woodchucks can destroy a garden in short order if not dealt with in a timely manner. Before you start your vegetable garden, it is a good idea to use a repellent to control the wildlife. Once they are on your property, then traps are used.
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.
Where can I find woodchucks in the US?
While there are several species of marmots in North America, our woodchuck is found mostly in the eastern United States and across much of southern Canada. In New England, woodchucks inhabit both urban and suburban yards, fields, meadows, woodland clearings, and we see them frequently in grassy areas along highways.
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.
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 ...
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.
Is a woodchuck a vermin?
To some, woodchucks may be simply "vermin," animals that are of no known service to humans. Just the possibility that woodchucks might cause problems one day is used as an excuse to "control" them.
Can horses trip over woodchucks?
And many horse owners fear their horses will trip over woodchuck burrows in paddocks and injure themselves. From time to time there are even claims that people are hurt by tripping in woodchuck burrows. This is possible, but far down the list of threats to our own species.
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.
How far away should I place woodchuck bait?
For someone that doesn’t want to use a trap but instead prefers directing the woodchucks far away from their property, place the bait at least 120 inches away from your property. Then apply the scent on the food and around the area while making sure it is accessible to the animals.
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.
Can you put bait in a woodchuck trap?
If you can’t find instructions, don ’t worry because applying bait is generally simple and all you need to do is place the bait inside a trap. If you’re using a food bait, it’s best to put it in the trap’s most accessible spot for the woodchuck to effortlessly reach it.
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.
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 is a groundhog?
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.
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.
When is Groundhog Day?
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.
Do motorized vehicles kill groundhogs?
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.
Do groundhogs den in crawlspaces?
Groundhogs sometimes den in crawlspaces, so it is important to inspect the outside of your home for access points, such as broken vent covers or holes in the foundation. Homeowners should seal all cracks and crevices with caulk, repair any loose siding and install a mesh cover over chimneys and other exposed openings.
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 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.
What is the noise of a woodchuck?
In addition to the normal squeaking bark you may hear from a groundhog like this, the groundhog can also make a very high-pitched whistling no ise. This has earned them the nickname “whistle pig.”. You have worn or gnawed trees and siding.
What repels groundhogs?
Potential groundhog repellents include coyote or fox urine, red pepper flakes, Tabasco sauce, garlic, lavender, and even human hair. You can make your own groundhog deterrent spray by mixing water, a bit of dish soap, and Tabasco sauce plus crushed garlic cloves into a spray bottle.
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 ...
How to get rid of groundhogs?
5 Natural Ways To Get Rid of Groundhogs. 1. Epsom Salts. E psom salts sprinkled near or around the burrow entrances or exits will keep the groundhog away. If your plants are being eaten, try placing a tin pie plate filled with the salts near the plants. Replace after a rain. 2.
What do groundhogs dislike?
While it smells lovely to us, groundhogs find it offensive and avoid the areas where it is. They also dislike the smell of these herbs: basil, chives, lemon balm, mint, sage, thyme, rosemary, and oregano.
How to keep a plant from nibbling?
It’s actually the smell and the heat they don’t like. You can also spray tender plants with a mixture of 2 teaspoons cayenne with one quart of water to deter them from nibbling.
When do groundhogs hibernate?
The time when they emerge from their post-winter dens will differ depending on where you live (despite what you hear, most groundhogs are hibernating on February 2nd and are not popping up to see their shadows), and they’re active during the day.
When is Groundhog Day?
Groundhog Day is here (it’s February 2) , and now the question people ask us most is not what the groundhog predicts but “how do I get rid of them from my lawn?”
What is the day of the groundhog?
Groundhog Day is here (it’s February 2) , and now the question people ask us most is not what the groundhog predicts but “how do I get rid of them from my lawn?”. About Groundhogs. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, “whistle pigs,” or marmots, are rodents that can do a lot of damage to your lawns and gardens.
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 >