If you live in a region where groundhogs are common, you might have noticed that they love to dig holes around your yard.
And while it’s fun to watch them race around and play, their activity can become problematic if they’re digging up the plants you’ve planted and turning your lawn into something that looks more like a moonscape.
Groundhogs are also considered pests because of the damage they do to gardens, lawns and other parts of landscaping during their excavations. They eat many types of vegetation including grasses, herbs, shrubs and even trees!
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Groundhogs are known for their burrowing habits and can cause damage to yards and gardens. |
| Signs of groundhog activity include holes in the ground, damage to plants, and burrow entrances near buildings or structures. |
| Groundhogs are herbivores that primarily eat plants, including grasses, clover, and vegetables. |
| There are a variety of methods for getting rid of groundhogs, including trapping and relocating them, using repellents, and installing barriers. |
| If you suspect you have a groundhog problem, it’s important to take action as soon as possible to prevent further damage. |
Do Groundhogs Eat Plants?
Groundhogs are omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and animals. They will eat your vegetables if you let them, so don’t make it easy for them by leaving out cornmeal or lettuce heads. Groundhogs can also get into your garden beds if left unattended.
While groundhogs may eat certain types of grasses, they generally prefer to consume other plant matter such as flowers, shrubs and trees.
Grubs are a common lawn pest that can cause significant damage if left unchecked. Check out our guide on identifying and controlling grubs for tips on preventing and treating grub infestations.
Do Groundhogs Eat Grass?
Let’s clear this up once and for all: do groundhogs eat grass? The answer is yes. Groundhogs eat grass, but not just because they want to annoy you.
Grass is actually a good source of protein, which is a nutrient that groundhogs need to survive. So while they may be ripping up your lawn, it’s not because they’re trying to annoy you; it’s because they’re hungry!
As we mentioned before, while eating plants is part of what makes groundhogs so effective at repelling predators (since predators tend to avoid eating plants), it’s also a way for them to get the nutrients that their bodies need in order to survive.
We don’t want any more questions about whether or not these furry little critters are dangerous in any way so let’s move on and talk about some other common concerns about these animals!
ros and Cons of Having Groundhogs in Your Yard
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Groundhogs can help control weeds and provide natural fertilizer for your lawn and garden. | Groundhogs can cause damage to plants and yards, which can be costly to repair. |
| Groundhogs can be entertaining to watch and can provide educational opportunities for children. | Groundhogs can attract other animals to your yard, such as foxes and coyotes, which can pose a danger to pets and children. |
| Groundhogs are generally harmless and do not pose a threat to humans. | Groundhogs can carry diseases such as rabies, which can be transmitted to humans and pets. |
How To Get Rid Of Groundhog Holes In The Yard?
Fill the holes with concrete. You can use a special sprayable concrete that’s made for this purpose, or you can simply fill them with regular concrete and then chisel it out after it’s hardened overnight.
Put up a fence around your garden. The fence should be at least two feet tall (a higher height is better) and should be buried at least six inches underground to prevent burrowing animals from getting through it.
If you’re planning to install a gazebo in your yard, it’s important to ensure that it’s securely anchored to the ground to prevent damage from strong winds. Our guide on securing a gazebo from wind offers some tips and tricks for keeping your gazebo in place during windy weather.
How To Keep Groundhogs Out Of The Yard?
To keep groundhogs out of your yard, you can:
Keep the area clean. Remove any debris that might provide shelter for groundhogs to hide under and make their way into your yard. This includes fallen branches and old trash.
Use repellents. You can try using pepper spray or other repellants to keep them away from your garden beds or other areas where they may be bothering you.
These products are available online at sites like Amazon, but be sure to read reviews before buying one so that you know what to expect from a particular product’s effectiveness on these types of pests!
Build fences around flowerbeds or other gardens where groundhogs are known hangouts due to food sources like plants and grasses being present there (if necessary).
If this isn’t possible then consider putting up signs in those areas warning people about the dangers associated with entering these zones due to possible threats posed by such pests lurking nearby somewhere just waiting for an opportunity such as this one!
Are They Dangerous To Have Around Your House?
Groundhogs are not dangerous to have around your house. They are not aggressive and they don’t bite or attack. They are not poisonous either, so there is no danger of being bitten when you try to remove them from your yard or garden.
Groundhogs are also not venomous, so even if you do get bitten, it will only hurt for a second and then the pain will subside.
Metal gazebos can be a beautiful and durable addition to your yard, but they’re also susceptible to rust if not properly maintained. Check out our guide on preventing rust on a metal gazebo for tips on keeping your gazebo looking its best.
What Do Groundhogs Eat?
Groundhogs are omnivorous, which means they will eat both plants and meat. When you’re trying to get rid of groundhogs in your yard, it’s important to keep them away from all your vegetation so that they don’t damage it.
Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks or whistle pigs, and they can be found throughout North America. Groundhogs eat many different types of food: insects, plants and nuts as well as small animals such as mice (dead or alive), lizards and amphibians like frogs.
The groundhog is an opportunistic eater which means that if there isn’t enough food available then the animal will make due with what’s available until its next meal arrives by itself!
If You Don’t Want Them Around, What Can You Do?
In the case of groundhogs, a few different methods can be used to keep them out of your yard. The first is to use repellents such as fencing or fencing combined with repellent sprays.
This can also be done by using materials that have been treated with harmful chemicals such as granular salt, liquid fertilizer and blood meal.
Another option is to create physical barriers such as raised beds for your plants or plant them in containers if possible so that the groundhog does not have access to them at all times of the year.
Finally, you can hire a professional exterminator who will either use fumigants or traps depending on what kind of animal it is you are trying to get rid of (i.e., skunks vs rats vs mice).
Moles are another common lawn pest that can cause damage to your yard if left unchecked. Our guide on identifying and controlling moles offers tips on preventing and treating mole infestations to keep your yard looking its best.
How To Deal With Groundhog Invasions In Your Garden Or Yard?
There are many ways to deal with groundhogs in your yard. You can keep them out by using fencing, keeping your lawn mowed, keeping the yard clean and using repellents. If you have a heavy infestation of groundhogs, you can also use traps.
Fencing is one of the most effective ways to keep groundhogs away from your garden or house. If you have small children, pets or other animals that may wander into the yard on occasion, then it would be best to install fencing that is at least six feet high and has an overhang of two feet on either side so no animals can get through it accidentally.
This will also help prevent children from climbing over it as well as keep large predators like coyotes out of your yard without having to worry about them getting too close while they try climbing up over the fence themselves before giving up halfway through their attempts at going after whatever prey might be hiding down below behind bushes near where they’re standing right now.
Methods for Getting Rid of Groundhogs
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Trapping and relocating | Live traps can be used to capture groundhogs and relocate them to a new area away from your property. |
| Using repellents | Natural and chemical repellents can be used to deter groundhogs from entering your yard. |
| Installing barriers | Fencing and other barriers can be installed to prevent groundhogs from accessing certain areas of your yard. |
| Natural predators | Natural predators of groundhogs, such as foxes and hawks, can be encouraged to visit your yard to help control groundhog populations. |
| Professional extermination | In some cases, it may be necessary to hire a professional exterminator to remove groundhogs from your property. |
Backyard fire pits can be a fun and cozy addition to your yard, but it’s important to ensure that they’re legal in your area before installing one. Our guide on the legality of backyard fire pits offers some tips on checking local regulations to make sure that your fire pit is in compliance with the law.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about groundhogs. It can be fun to learn about animals, but it’s also important to keep them in check so they don’t become pests in our yards or gardens!
So if you have any questions or comments about groundhogs, please leave them below and we’ll do our best to help you out with what you need.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about groundhogs and how they can impact your yard, here are some additional resources:
Groundhog Damage in Yard: How to Identify and Repair: This article from The Spruce offers tips on identifying and repairing damage caused by groundhogs in your yard.
Do Groundhogs Burrow Under House & Can They Damage It?: This blog post from Westchester Wildlife answers common questions about groundhogs and their burrowing habits, including whether they can cause damage to houses.
Is It Bad to Have a Groundhog in Your Yard?: This post from Westchester Wildlife explores the pros and cons of having groundhogs in your yard, and offers tips for keeping them under control if necessary.
FAQs
What do groundhogs eat?
Groundhogs are herbivores that primarily eat plants, including grasses, clover, and vegetables.
How do I know if I have a groundhog in my yard?
Some signs of groundhog activity include holes in the ground, damage to plants, and burrow entrances near buildings or structures.
Are groundhogs dangerous?
While groundhogs are not generally considered dangerous to humans, they can cause damage to yards and gardens.
Can groundhogs damage my house?
Groundhogs are known to burrow and can sometimes cause damage to the foundations of buildings if they dig tunnels too close to them.
How can I get rid of groundhogs?
There are a variety of methods for getting rid of groundhogs, including trapping and relocating them, using repellents, and installing barriers to prevent them from accessing certain areas of your yard.
I am Hellen James, a landscape architect. For many years I have written about landscaping for various publications; however, recently decided to focus my writing on personal experience as a profession.
