Best Groundhog Repellent/Deterrent
DID YOU KNOW?
Groundhogs look to your well-kept, hard-earned gardens for a food source.
The best way to keep your gardens alive and beautiful is to take preventative steps against groundhogs.
The Best Groundhog Repellent/Deterrent
Groundhogs may not be the first animal you think of when it comes to nuisance wildlife. However, they can do extensive damage to your home, outbuildings, and garden with their razor-sharp claws and incisors. And unless they’re repelled, are generally there to stay. Prevention is the best way to avoid the high cost of repairs and replacements for your yard. These products provide a welcome solution for keeping these pests off your property.
Continue reading to learn how to repel groundhogs and the best products for the job.
Groundhog Repellent/Deterrent We Reviewed
How We Found the Best Groundhog Repellent/Deterrent
8 Reviewers
35 Products Considered
4 Products Reviewed
3 Top Picks
Groundhog Problem?
No products found.
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Sweeney’s S7001-1 Mole and Gopher Repellent Granules
Pros
- Hands-free application
- Non-toxic to pets and children
- Easy to apply exactly where you need it
- Cornstarch and lecithin improve its storage life
- Repels a variety of rodents
Cons
- Takes a few days to get the estimated coverage
- Frequent application necessary for best results
OUR VERDICT
Sweeney’s S7001-1 Mole and Gopher Repellent Granules focuses on taste and smell to deter groundhogs and prevent them from making your property its permanent home.
Our Review
Sweeney’s S7001-1 Mole and Gopher Repellent Granules contain castor oil which penetrates the ground due to its high specific gravity. It is a heavy liquid that you’ll often see as a carrier oil for essential oils. Purported health claims include antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
For groundhogs, it works by coating food sources and making them taste foul to these animals. It’s an effective deterrent that targets a vital aspect of their lives while using their instincts against them. It also has sawdust which increases its bulk and lecithin and cornstarch to add body to the mixture and improve its penetration and stickiness.
Sweeney’s S8002 RTS Mole and Gopher Repellent
Pros
- Excellent coverage with one purchase
- Safe to use if you have pets
- Easy to apply using a garden hose
- Effective against other burrowing animals like moles
- Affordable price
Cons
- Connection to a hose is awkward
- Must apply frequently for effective control
OUR VERDICT
Sweeney’s S8002 RTS Mole and Gopher Repellent is an easy-to-apply solution that penetrates quickly the ground to provide an effective repellent against a variety of burrowing pests.
Our Review
Sweeney’s S8002 RTS Mole and Gopher Repellent contains castor oil as its primary ingredient like the Sweeney’s S7001-1 Mole and Gopher Repellent Granules. It is more convenient to use than the latter since you apply it using a hose to eliminate the additional step. It penetrates into the ground and contaminates their food and burrow with unpleasant smells and tastes.
The one-quart bottle contains enough liquid to treat up to 10,000 square feet, making it an excellent value for your money. You won’t detect any odors, but the groundhogs will as long as you apply it regularly.
Facts About Groundhogs
Understanding the natural history of groundhogs can arm you with the information you need to deal with these rodents in the most effective way. Like many other rodents, they are active during the day. They are typically shy of humans, but you may occasionally see them scampering in your yard.
Groundhogs are stocky animals that can measure up to 22 inches long and weigh upward of 15 pounds. Their large size and habits make them particularly destructive. They dig extensive networks of burrows that can extend under your porch or garage; the tunnels can weaken the ground under buildings and cause structural damage.
Signs of Groundhogs
One of the telltale signs of the presence of groundhogs is the large hole at the entrance of their burrows that can extend 30 or more feet underground. You might also see damage to your garden, especially with sweeter plants like tomatoes and other fruits. You may find leftovers from their raids. They eat plant foods exclusively. It’s helpful to know these facts when looking for the best groundhog repellent/deterrent.
How to Get Rid of a Nuisance Groundhog
You have several options from which to choose if a groundhog or woodchuck lives on your property. Prevention, of course, is the best solution. Otherwise, you can deter them with physical barriers like fences that go underground at least one foot. Placing chicken wire around your garden will keep them from feeding on your plants and digging up fruits and vegetables.
Groundhogs have a sweet tooth that you can use to your advantage. Unpleasant odors and tastes are effective when using a product like Sweeney’s S7001-1 Mole and Gopher Repellent Granules or S8002 RTS Mole and Gopher Repellent. Like many wildlife species, they are opportunistic and often picky about their food choices, especially during the summer when they have more options.
Woodchucks will move on to other places to find foodstuffs they prefer. It’s an effective way to deal with a problem when faced with the question of how to stop groundhogs from eating my plants. You can also opt to act more aggressively with products that will scare them using water or sounds like the Vekibee Solar Mole Repellent.
These products are some of the best groundhog repellent/deterrent options you’ll find. They are humane and safe to use around pets and children. It’s a sound choice if using poisons isn’t feasible. They also eliminate the risk of harming non-targeted wildlife to give you peace of mind.
A more drastic solution involves trapping the animals and relocating them elsewhere. However, it’s an ideal way for several reasons. Local and state laws may prohibit these actions. And you may have to get a license or permit if it’s legal in your area. Groundhogs don’t pose the same health risks as raccoons. However, they can hurt you if you don’t handle the trapped animals properly.
How to Use a Repellent or Deterrent
The first thing you need to do is to identify the places they frequent. Refer back to the signs of an infestation. Groundhogs, like many critters, are creatures of habit. They will return to the same reliable food sources regularly. That increases the chances they’ll encounter the repellent and move on to another place.
If you use a liquid or granule deterrent, you’ll need to apply it after it rains to maintain the chemical barrier. Bear in mind that groundhogs hibernate in the winter. You’ll only need to take action during the warmer months when they’re active.
Summary
The best groundhog repellent/deterrent will prevent the animal from taking up residence on your property and causing damage to your home or yard. They offer a humane and safe way to deal with these pests that won’t harm non-targeted species or pets. That makes them cost-effective too since they minimize your expenses.
The primary benefits of these types of products are that they play on the animals’ instincts to avoid foul-tasting foods and smells. Others scare them off to prevent them from making your yard their home. When dealing with nuisance wildlife, they are the ideal way to get a potential problem under control before it becomes a problem.