Although groundhogs are beautiful animals, they can be a nuisance at home. The unprotected spaces underneath the shed are usually homes for groundhogs. And once they start burrowing, the next step is to figure out how to get rid of groundhogs under shed.
A shed is a crucial structure where you store items that cannot fit in the garage. However, when it becomes a home for the groundhogs, they will destroy your garden plants and also cause diseases to humans.
Contents
- Understanding the Groundhogs
- Dangers Posed By Groundhogs
- How to Get Rid of Groundhogs Under Shed
- 1. Trapping and Relocating
- 2. Use Ammonia
- 3. Pet a Cat or a Dog
- 4. Use Garlic or Pepper
- 5. Fence the Area with a Mesh
- 6. Use Agricultural Lime
- 7. Use Hair and Urine
- 8. Sonic Groundhog Repeller
- 9. Epsom Salt
- 10. Smoke them Out
- 11. Flood their Burrows
- 12. Use other Strong Repellents
- FAQs About Getting Rid of Groundhogs Under Shade
- What Do Groundhogs Hate the Most?
- What is the Best Repellent for Groundhogs?
- Will Vinegar Get Rid of Groundhogs?
- Author
Understanding the Groundhogs
It’s important to learn a little information about these rodents before you learn how to call groundhog out of its hole.
Groundhogs, also known as whistle pigs or woodchucks, are mammals that belong to the squirrel family, but they grow bigger than normal squirrels. Surprisingly, they can grow to a length of 2 feet and a weight of around 10 pounds.
Groundhogs are natives of North America, and naturally, they burrow themselves into the ground. They are herbivores who are more active during hot seasons. You will learn why they keep feeding on your garden plants and grasses with that understanding. To some extent, they even feed on tree bark.
Additionally, they also feed on some insects and snails, which can benefit homeowners.
Dangers Posed By Groundhogs
Groundhogs not only destroy the crops but also cause a wide range of other risks. Take a look;
- Their burrows can, with time, compromise the shed’s foundation, which can require expensive repairs in the future.
- They gnaw the underground electricity cables posing fire risks.
- They damage garden plants.
- Heavy farm machines like tractors can fall on the burrows extended along the homestead.
- Burrows can also be hazardous to humans.
- They can be aggressive sometimes, especially when they lack somewhere to hide after sensing dangers.
- They carry diseases like rabies.
How to Get Rid of Groundhogs Under Shed
We have compiled a list of tested ways on how to protect your shed from groundhogs. Remember, although groundhogs are frustrating, they are part of the ecosystem.
As such, you don’t have to hurt them. But you can use some irritating chemicals that won’t cause severe injuries at some points.
1. Trapping and Relocating
You can consider the trap cage to eliminate the groundhogs underneath your shed. Usually, it’s placed 10 feet from the burrow entrance.
You can use fresh and sweet-smelling fruits like berries since the mammals love feeding on them.
However, you will have to camouflage the cage with branches or fresh leaves to lure the animals to get inside.
Ideally, check the traps two times a day. If the groundhogs are trapped, consider relocating them to a safe area.
On the other hand, you can call a local animal control or wildlife center to relocate them.
See also: Smoke out rats under shed
2. Use Ammonia
Groundhogs hate the smell of ammonia and other strong irritating smells. Usually, ammonia is found in many homes, hence the cheapest groundhogs control idea.
Mix ammonia solution and water in a ratio of 1:3 and add a few drops of dishwashing soap. Then, pour or spray around the burrow entrances but leave one or two entrances for them to escape through.
See also: What scent will keep skunks away from under the shed?
3. Pet a Cat or a Dog
Groundhogs don’t live in hostile areas. And a cat or a dog around their area is a great threat.
Keep them around the shed area to scare the groundhogs.
4. Use Garlic or Pepper
Garlic and pepper smells are very irritating to groundhogs. Mush them together in a bowl to create a solution or a paste and apply it around the burrow entrances.
The peppers will irritate their skins, and the garlic smell will also irritate their sensitive noses.
See also: How do I strengthen my shed door?
5. Fence the Area with a Mesh
A steel mesh can hinder the groundhogs from reaching the shed area. Note that the method will not control the rodents if they have already settled underneath your shed.
The best step is first to repel them and later fence to keep them off.
Ideally, extend the wire mesh around three feet above and underground to prevent them from digging. Additionally, curve the top of the mesh outwards to prevent them from jumping inside.
6. Use Agricultural Lime
Agricultural lime is a soil additive that alters the soil PH levels.
Due to the acidic nature of the lime, it burns the groundhogs’ feet, causing irritations and minor wounds. As a result, the rodents relocate to a safe area leaving your shed area free.
See also: How to properly anchor shed from wind damage
7. Use Hair and Urine
As earlier stated, groundhogs don’t live where they suspect predators’ presence. As such, human hair or dog fur can scare away the groundhogs.
On the other hand, you can sprinkle your urine around because predators usually mark territories with their urine.
However, leave a few entrances to escape through because they may be scared to get out and dig deeper.
8. Sonic Groundhog Repeller
These sonic devices transmit waves through the ground, which causes vibration and noise. Due to disturbances, the groundhogs will be uncomfortable and eventually leave.
9. Epsom Salt
Another effective method is using Epsom salt for groundhogs. It works just like agricultural lime. It first irritates the skin, and secondly, the animals don’t like its taste.
See also: What is the best way to cool metal shed?
10. Smoke them Out
Most fumigating chemicals kill the groundhogs. But that’s not your intention as a homeowner.
To preserve the ecosystem, use gas cartridges, also known as gas bombs, to repel them. Light the cartridges and immediately fill the burrow entrances with dirt for the carbon monoxide to spread.
11. Flood their Burrows
Direct a hose on one hole and let the water fill their hiding areas. They will get out and escape to find a new home.
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12. Use other Strong Repellents
Plants like lavender, mint, basil, rosemary, and lemon balm are a natural way to repel groundhogs and other insects.
On the other hand, castor oil, soiled cat litter, and talcum powder have a strong smell hated by groundhogs.
Castor oil
Soiled cat litter
Talcum powder
FAQs About Getting Rid of Groundhogs Under Shade
What Do Groundhogs Hate the Most?
Smells of garlic and pepper usually deter them from returning to the garden.
What is the Best Repellent for Groundhogs?
The best repellent for the groundhogs is lavender plants.
Will Vinegar Get Rid of Groundhogs?
Vinegar alone will not repel groundhogs because it cannot produce enough pungent smell to drive them away.
How to get rid of groundhogs under shed is easy because you have a wide range of options. Flooding the burrows is one of the cheapest ways.
