Controlling Woodchucks
Woodchucks are found mostly in the Northeast and Midwest, inhabiting burrows in orchards, fields, sloping woodlands —
and maybe under your porch. The burrows reach deep into the ground and usually have more than one exit. The woodchuck's main goal in summer is to eat as much as possible to store enough fat to carry it through the winter in hibernation. These herbivores enjoy clover and alfalfa, along with many young garden plants such as peas, beans, cole crops and lettuce. They'll also feed on tree fruits and ripening melons.
Control
- Make your yard less attractive to a woodchuck by removing brush piles, old stumps, and wood piles.
- Lure woodchucks away from your garden by planting favored foods such as clover and alfalfa in another area.
- Apply repellents such as hot pepper spray, dried blood, predator urine, and talcum powder on plants to discourage woodchucks from feeding.
- Protect vulnerable plants with self-supporting Pop-Up Nets. These 38" square enclosures come in two heights: 20" and 48". They can be anchored to the ground right in the garden or used in conjunction with a 3x3-foot raised bed, such as our Grow Bed
- Build a fence. For more information, read Animal Fencing Techniques.
Still have questions?: Ask our in-house gardening experts.
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