Comments on: Groundhog Wars

By: allent

allent — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:00:58 +0000

As a farm boy growing up and now suburban gardener, I can tell you that a .22 is the simplest solution. That being said, I agree that neighbors can get a little salty if they see you in your yard with a gun while they are splashing around in their pool next door. I have never observed the bubblegum solution to work but I can’t state for sure that it doesn’t. If you do trap, use cantaloupe. Create a trail of small pieces, spaced about 12″ apart starting on the groundhog’s path to his hole and leading right into the back of the trap. This works every time. Cantaloupe is by far the most effective bait and I’ve used almost everything you can name. If high-dollar toys are your thing, get a rodenator. (google it) I have one of these and nothing is more effective. You don’t have to wait with a gun and you don’t have the uncertainty of the trap. It is expensive though.

By: Tim V

Tim V — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:04:11 +0000

I have a beautiful groundhog living under my shed. I have had no problem with him and actually enjoy seeing him from time to time.
Unfortunatly he has now decided to dig under my garage foundation. I have tried to trap him and I’m afraid he is now hip to the trap. I will try relocating the trap and trying some of your bait choices.
I’ll let you know if I get him.

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:49:31 +0000

I’m having problems with the groundhogs under my storage building and now in the garden. I sprinkled red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper around the perimeter of the garden, so far it has keep them out. I’m looking for a permanent solution, so I may try the gum trick.

By: Gayle

Gayle — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:24:21 +0000

I bought a bucket of Double Bubble yesterday! I hope 380 pieces is enough to get rid of the Mamma and 3 babies I’ve seen so far. They come out from the wooded area full of flourishing green plants in search of MY food. The young go right through the upper holes of my rabbit fencing. So much for broccoli again this year. I’ve replanted my beans. I don’t know if they cucumbers will survive their wrath. I’m not expecting to harvest my grape tomatoes this year. I hope they die before ruining all of the heirloom tomatoes.
It looks like I’m trying to grow bubble gum in my garden and the yard was littered with Double Bubble wrappers this morning!

By: Kenny Point

Kenny Point — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:07:16 +0000

Groundhogs can be very vicious when cornered or trapped! That smoke treatment doesn’t sound very quick and painless, and definitely not more so than a properly placed bullet. I hope that you don’t have a problem with them in your garden or under your shed this season.

By: Parsons847

Parsons847 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:53:40 +0000

I have also found the best way to get rid of groundhogs is to trap them (preferably at 1st sign in spring, or else you’ll deal with a bunch of babies too). However, I do not relocate them. I did this for a few years, but when you catch a large groundhog they’re very vicious, so not fun trying to release. Plus, I have a feeling people in a more residential area release their groundhogs by my house in the country! Not wanting to impose my problem on others I now kill them. I do not own a gun, but I want to do the killing as quickly and painlessly as possible. So, I use the smoke bombs meant for their holes. I keep the groundhog in the trap, then cover it with a large tupperware bin. Put 2 smoke bombs in one end, put down bin, and shovel dirt around bin to prevent smoke from escaping. Leave covered for 2 hours or so. I feel bad killing them, but if left unchecked we end up with a bunch who not only wipe our our gardens but do a lot of damage around our structures. I wouldn’t be surprised to see our shed fall into a groundhog cavern one day.

By: tom fiorello

tom fiorello — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:37:21 +0000

I had a pile of hay in my garden and damage to my melons. When I examined the hay pile, I noticed an opening. It was a main entrance to a groundhog den. I took some 2″ pool hose and stuck it down the hole, filled it in with some dirt on the sides, and dumped a gallon of bleach followed by a half gallon of ammonia. The moment the gas cloud started to come out of the hose, I pulled it out, and threw some dirt over it. I did this mid afternoon on a hot sunny day when they would be napping. They have not reopened the hole. I’d try acute lead poisoning, but by the time I get a rifle, scope, permit, ammo, I’d have spent enough to join a CSA with no guarantee of killing anything. Stand upwind if you try the above, the fumes are bad [and toxic].

By: Caddyshack'd

Caddyshack'd — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 03:13:49 +0000

I tried the “bubble gum” method and don’t think it made any difference. After a four year war with these little beasts I found the best solution is to trap and remove. Be sure to take them at least 7 miles away, preferably 10. Over the past 4 years I’ve captured and removed 20+ groundhogs from our property. No need to bait the traps, they’re dumb as a bag of rocks and will walk right in. Each Spring I search out the fresh holes and bomb until they stop digging out. Best to get them before they start to multiply. I know some people don’t like to kill them, but this is war! Also keep a lookout in the beginning of July, that’s when the young are kicked out to find a new home of their own. And the cycle begins again. Good luck!