Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, may look cute and furry from a distance, but these pests belong to the rodent family and cause destruction in yards and property across the country.
Are there woodchucks in New York?
Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, are the largest members of the squirrel family (Family Sciuridae
Are woodchucks on Long Island?
Groundhog Removal Nassau County, Long Island. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, or whistle pigs are rodents that are in a family of ground squirrels known as marmots. Adult groundhogs are sixteen to twenty inches long and can weigh as much as fifteen pounds.
Where do you find woodchucks?
While there are several species of marmots in North America, our woodchuck is found mostly in
the eastern United States
and across much of southern Canada. In New England, woodchucks inhabit both urban and suburban yards, fields, meadows, woodland clearings, and we see them frequently in grassy areas along highways.
How can you tell the difference between a woodchuck and a groundhog?
There is no difference between a groundhog and a woodchuck
. In fact, the terms woodchuck and groundhog are interchangeable.
Do groundhogs live in New York City?
Meet the Real Groundhogs of New York City, a population of perhaps
a few dozen scattered throughout city parks, botanical gardens and cemeteries
, some so isolated from any other groundhog community that naturalists do not know for sure how they got there. …
What to do if you have a woodchuck?
- Use a Box Trap to Catch a Groundhog. …
- Create Vibrations in the Ground. …
- Smoke Them Out. …
- Pour Ammonia Down the Groundhog’s Tunnel. …
- Deter With Garlic and Pepper. …
- Get a Dog or a Cat (or Use Their Urine and Fur) …
- Sprinkle Human Hair Around the Yard. …
- Use Lime to Burn Their Feet.
Is it bad to have a groundhog in your yard?
The short answer is
YES, you should
. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are aggressive animals that are hard to get rid of when they invade your property. These rodents usually dig burrows in grassy areas and eat through gardens causing a lot of damage.
Are woodchucks aggressive?
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are found all over central and eastern US. They dig burrows in grassy areas and are known to eat through gardens. They’re hard to get rid of because
they are aggressive animals
, and can have rabies.
Are groundhogs good for anything?
A
groundhog will help itself to anything
and everything you have planted. They are vegetarians and are partial to leaves, flowers and grasses. They especially like certain garden crops like carrots, beans and peas. They will even climb trees to eat apples and pears.
What do groundhogs hate the most?
Plants with strong fragrances, such as
lavender
, will keep groundhogs out of your garden. The Farmers’ Almanac says groundhogs also dislike the smell of these herbs: mint, sage, basil, lemon balm, rosemary, thyme, chives and oregano.
How do I get rid of groundhogs permanently?
- Sprinkle blood meal, ground black pepper, dried blood, or talcum powder around the perimeter of your garden. …
- Puree and strain hot peppers and garlic, mix them with water and enough liquid soap to make it stick, and spray it liberally around the garden.
Do groundhogs live in the city?
URBANA – According to a University of Illinois study, groundhogs, also known as woodchucks,
may have a better survival rate in urban settings than
in rural areas. … And, they also have fewer predators like coyotes in urban settings.
Are groundhogs black?
The woodchuck or groundhog is the largest member of the squirrel family in the Adirondacks and has grizzled, coarse fur. Above, the fur is
brown to blackish brown
, tipped with buffy yellow, white or cinnamon brown, except for the top of the head and most of the tail. The underparts are yellowish orange to chestnut.
Are groundhogs protected in NY?
In New York State,
nearly all species of wildlife are protected
. … The few unprotected species include porcupine, red squirrel, woodchuck, English sparrow, starling, rock pigeon, and monk parakeet. Unprotected species may be taken at any time without limit.
