You can shoot woodchucks with a small to medium caliber rifle. … Where legally allowed, use of lethal trapping methods (body grip traps) set in the burrow, may also be considered to control woodchucks. This should be done by professional nuisance wildlife trappers to avoid killing non-target animals.
Is it illegal to kill groundhogs in Massachusetts?
Under Mass. General Law 131, Section 37, a property owner or tenant of land may hunt or take by other means, except by poison or snare, any mammal which he finds damaging his property, provided that such killing is not contrary to any federal law or regulation.
What is the name of the groundhog in Massachusetts?
Punxsutawney Phil Celebrating. While the award for the most famous groundhog in America goes to Punxsutawney Phil from Pennsylvania, here in Massachusetts we have our own celebrity. Ms. G has been forecasting the weather at Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln since 2003.
Should I be concerned about a groundhog in my yard?
Have you just spotted a groundhog in your yard and wondering if you should worry? The short answer is YES, you should. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property.
Do groundhogs cause property damage?
Groundhogs are definitely something that homeowners need to worry about. Their tunneling systems might lead to significant damage to your property. … Due to their powerful teeth and big appetites, groundhogs can also do damage to crops and plants in your garden.
Can I relocate a groundhog?
If relocating your groundhog, do so at least 5 miles away from your property. Choose an area that provides cover so that your groundhog will not want to travel far to make a new home. Though groundhogs are not generally aggressive, one might attack if it feels threatened.
Can I kill a groundhog in my yard?
Fumigation kills the groundhog while it is inside the burrow. The easiest way is to buy gas cartridges (also known as gas bombs). They are usually sold at garden centers or can be found on Amazon. … Both of these methods will kill the groundhog or make him run for miles if he finds a way out.
What is the best repellent for groundhogs?
Lavender Try planting some lavender around the garden. 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.
Will bubble gum kill groundhogs?
Supposedly groundhogs love this particular brand of bubble gum, but once they eat it, it gums up their insides and ultimately kills them. … Other possible methods to eliminate groundhogs include various devices to introduce smoke or gas into the animals burrow to destroy them that way.
Are woodchucks and groundhogs the same?
1. A groundhog by any other name. Groundhogs are also variously referred to as woodchucks, whistle-pigs, or land-beavers. The name whistle-pig comes from the fact that, when alarmed, a groundhog will emit a high-pitched whistle as a warning to the rest of his or her colony.
Did Ms G see her shadow 2021?
The Massachusetts state groundhog made her own weather prediction for the next few weeks on Tuesday. Ms. G, located at the Mass Audubon Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, Massachusetts, did not see her shadow Tuesday morning, meaning she predicted an early spring. … Many said, No shadow and the groundhog agreed.
How do you get rid of groundhogs?
How to Get Rid of Groundhogs
- Sprinkle blood meal, ground black pepper, dried blood, or talcum powder around the perimeter of your garden. …
- Puree and strain hot peppers and garlic, mix them with water and enough liquid soap to make it stick, and spray it liberally around the garden.
Do groundhogs live alone?
Groundhogs are solitary creatures, and they spend their summers and falls stuffing themselves and taking naps in the sun. They can eat about a pound of food per sitting.
What time of day are groundhogs most active?
morning Groundhog Behavior 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.
How do I get rid of a groundhog under my shed?
Here are a few ideas:
- Pour ammonia around your shed and in any holes they’ve dug. …
- Place lawn windmills, windchimes, or a vibrating sonic device near your shed. …
- Adopt a dog or cat and encourage them to spend time sniffing around the shed.
- Spread human scent around your yard with hair clippings.
What smells do groundhogs hate?
3. Plants as deterrents. Plants with strong fragrances, such as lavender, will keep groundhogs out of your garden. The Farmers’ Almanac says groundhogs also dislike the smell of these herbs: mint, sage, basil, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme, chives and oregano.
Does Irish Spring soap keep groundhogs away?
Irish Spring is an effective repellent against groundhogs. A bar of soap should be hung from a post or fence to scare off groundhogs and prevent them from digging up the lawn or eating the plants.
Do groundhogs make tunnels?
Groundhogs spend most of their time in their underground burrows, which have one main entrance that can be identified by a large mountain of excavated soil immediately outside the entrance hole. … When digging a burrow, the groundhog starts digging inward for several feet, then inclines the tunnel upward for a few feet.
How do I get rid of a groundhog in Massachusetts?
Woodchucks may be killed in their burrows with commercial gas cartridges that produce carbon monoxide and other gases. Find the main burrow entrance and all secondary holes. Block all holes except the main one with a chunk of sod. Ignite the cartridge, throw it down the hole, and block up the hole.
How many babies do groundhogs have?
4. Pregnancy goes by fast for them. Groundhog mating season is in the early spring and, after only a month-long pregnancy, mother groundhogs typically give birth to a litter of two to six blind, hairless babies. Young groundhogs are called kits, pups, or sometimes chucklings.
Can a groundhog find its way back home?
Once you have trapped the groundhog it is important to relocate it to a new home in a field, meadow or wooded area that is at least 20 miles away from your home so they don’t find their way back.
Will a groundhog kill a cat?
Groundhogs. If your cat has access to grounds where a forest and a field meet, there’s a higher change they’ll encounter a groundhog. While these animals aren’t likely to go out of their way to attack a cat, their sharp teeth and claws can do damage.
Do groundhogs abandon their burrows?
Fall and Winter: From mid-October through February, groundhogs remain in their burrows as they hibernate. … Second, spring marks the mating season during March and April as males seek out the burrows of nearby females. Groundhogs will be most active and noticeable during this time.
Do groundhogs chew on wood?
Compared to beavers, groundhogs/woodchucks are not adept at moving timber, although some will chew wood. … A wildlife biologist once measured the inside volume of a typical woodchuck burrow and estimated that — if wood filled the hole instead of dirt — the industrious animal would have chucked about 700 pounds’ worth.
Will vinegar keep groundhogs away?
Mix ammonia with washing detergent, vinegar, hot pepper and soap and pour the mixture down each hole. … Apply ammonium mixture around the fence to prevent groundhogs from coming in. This may have to be repeated if it gets washed off.
How do you fill a groundhog hole?
One option for filling groundhog holes or tunnel openings is a product called tunnel fill. This product, which resembles pellets, is an absorbing material that expands to many times the original size when it’s combined with water.
Does human urine get rid of groundhogs?
The strong odor of these natural and commercial repellents are supposed to get groundhogs out of their holes and drive them away from your yard. … 2) Human Urine: Some gardeners have been able to repel woodchucks in a humane way with this one. 3) Fox Urine: It is less likely to work, but you can give it a try.
Do groundhogs serve a purpose?
When a groundhog digs its burrow, it delivers organic matter deeper, providing food for microorganisms, and brings minerals to the surfacewhere plants reuse them.
Can groundhogs destroy Foundation?
If not properly controlled, groundhogs can cause serious structural damage when burrowing. Their tunnels break apart building foundations, and they will often chew through electrical wires and irrigation systems that may be in their way.
