What they do:
Woodchucks are sun loving, so homeowners may see them active in the early morning and late afternoon. The woodchuck is mainly a vegetarian so he can do some destruction to gardens—he also climbs trees to reach berries, and may burrow under decks or sheds. Woodchucks have big teeth but are not a threat to humans or pets unless they are cornered. They do not attack other animals unprovoked. Woodchucks do not fare well when relocated and if a nursing mother is trapped—her babies will be left behind and die.
What you can do:
- Woodchucks are fearful of people, so frequent visits to your garden, and adding an object like a beach ball that will blow in the wind, usually discourages visits.
- Plant a row of beans at the back of your garden—the woodchucks will spend ALL their time munching on those, and leave the less favorable perennials alone.
- Plant flowers that don’t appeal to woodchucks—lobelia, daylilies and columbine are good choices
- Install a fence that extends three to four feet above ground, and a foot below the surface. Wire mesh with openings that are 2 inches by 4 inches usually works best. Since woodchucks don’t like to climb unstable fencing, if you leave the top portion of the wire unattached to fence posts you’ll create a barrier the animals won’t want to breach. Finally, fold the bottom six inches of the underground portion outward to discourage persistent diggers,
- Excluding woodchucks from burrows under your buildings should be done after young have been weaned—preferably in late summer.
- The best technique is to place a radio near the burrow entrance—woodchucks hate constant jarring noise.
- You can also partially dig out the entrances to the burrow and clear surrounding vegetation
- Or place used kitty litter inside burrow entrances.
- Once you think the animal has left—lightly pack the entrance with hay or balled up newspaper—if it remains undisturbed for 3 to 5 days your visitor has likely left.
- To permanently close the burrow (and keep others from taking up residence) excavate around the entrance and bury a 3 foot square section of heavy gauge welded wire one foot deep across the entrance.
