Natural Solutions for Gardeners to Prevent Groundhogs in Your Garden

One of the worst things to happen to a perfectly landscaped and blossoming garden is a groundhog. In search of food, these large mammals will mangle crops, plants and flowers, ruin your garden’s aesthetic, and burrow tunnels beneath the ground, destroying its structural integrity. Fortunately, there are a few natural solutions you can use to get rid of groundhogs in your garden.

Natural Groundhog Prevention Techniques

Some efficient and eco-friendly methods to help deal with a growing groundhog problem include:

• Household Ingredients: Spices, like garlic and pepper, can deter groundhogs by overwhelming their sense of smell. Crush up some garlic and pepper and sprinkle it around groundhog burrows, or dilute the mixture in a spray bottle with water and spray it around your garden. The powerful scent will drive the pests away. Furthermore, cayenne pepper can add an extra layer of defense than ordinary pepper because it contains capsaicin, the chemical compound that provides its intense heat level. Groundhogs and other rodents are especially sensitive to capsaicin because it can easily irritate their fur and face. Whether you sprinkle it around your yard or grow the peppers in your garden, cayenne pepper can act as an effective natural groundhog deterrent.
• Household Predators: Groundhogs rely on their sense of smell to determine whether predators are nearby. Household cats and dogs, while friendly to humans, are a natural threat to groundhogs. When your pet runs around your garden, they’ll leave behind a scent that will naturally scare off the pests.
• Fencing: Regular fencing may sometimes not be enough to deter groundhogs because they can dig around or beneath the fenceposts. To isolate your garden, dig a 2-foot-deep trench around its perimeter, and sink your fence two feet further underground. This depth protects your crops by ensuring groundhogs cannot penetrate your garden.
• Scaring Them Off: Despite their large size, groundhogs are skittish critters. If they sense danger, they will usually flee instead of standing their ground. Sudden unexpected noises, such as windchimes, a radio, or motion-activated lights and sprinklers can activate their fight-or-flight.
• Humane Trapping: While all trapping methods come with an inherent risk, live traps are the most natural and humane option. Check your traps often, and transport any trapped groundhogs far enough away from your property so they won’t return.

While natural solutions may be temporarily effective, the best way to get groundhogs and other nuisance pests off your property is by working with a wildlife removal professional. Fortunately, the licensed and trained experts at Critter Control® of Pittsburgh are equipped and ready to help.

Safe and Effective Professional Groundhog Removal Services

The experienced pest control technicians at Critter Control® of Pittsburgh will quickly and safely remove nuisance pests and invasive wildlife from your Pennsylvania property and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our quick and efficient groundhog removal services, call Critter Control® of Pittsburgh today at 412-767-4067.