by Rhui Chatar

Created on: July 21, 2009   Last Updated: July 23, 2009

Groundhogs or woodchucks are burrowing rodents that survive by eating plant roots as well as the plants. They can cause extensive damage to gardens and lawns, but they were here first so here are a fews tips for convincing them to be somewhere else.

First off, the best thing for convincing the woodchuck to relocate is to own a fast dog. In most cases just the dog's presence will deter the rodent from setting up house keeping. A dog can be a large commitment though, and can cause other complex issues. Dogs may not appropriate for everyone. But getting the varmint to leave on his own is still the most desirable means of control.

In that vein, depending on your circumstances, you could attempt to fool the woodchuck into thinking a predator has taken up residence on you property. This can be accomplished by sprinkling your favorite over-the-counter brand of coyote urine in key areas used by the groundhog. This will often work to deter deer too, but not always.

To reach deeper underground though, you need something stronger. Go to the hardware store and purchase a couple of boxes of 1/2 inch moth balls. Drop a few in each burrow found and repeat after rain. Depending on the woodchuck's investment in burrows, this may be enough to coax him to move.

When the above attempts to rectify pock-marked lawns,damaged produce and frustration fail, it's time to rent a HavaHart trap to physical relocate your woodchuck. This method can be a bit more tricky. One must take care as the trap will often capture more interesting things than woodchucks, like skunks. They just so happen to also be attracted to favorite woodchuck dietary fare. You'll need to try a different bait. Same goes for raccoons. Although more scrappy than a woodchuck, they're less problematic than a skunk.

But not to worry. Should you find Mr. Skunk in your trap instead of the targeted woodchuck, gently cover the trap with a blanket and carefully open the door and leave the area. Mr. Skunk should vacate the trap, no harm, no foul, allowing you to adjust you bait and try again.

Once you have the culprit in your trap, take him at least 2-3 miles from your property to release him by opening the trap and standing back.

There are more harsh methods of control, but live and let live should be the first course of action.

Always consult with your local animal control or Fish and Game Department before placing your trap as regulations differ from locale to locale.

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