How to Call a Groundhog Out of Its Hole – Full Guide

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Groundhog is a rodent commonly found in the garden or lawn. They are excellent diggers, meaning they can be a nuisance.

Groundhogs can burrow an extensive tunnel system with extensive exits. The activities of groundhogs can weaken the soil, damaging foundations, barn, or farm equipment.

Groundhogs are herbivores, so they don’t pose any real danger. Even so, their presence can cause several damages that take hard work to fix.

The question now is, how can you get rid of groundhogs on your property humanely? Keep reading as we guide you on how to call a groundhog out of its hole.

10 Methods for Getting Rid of Groundhogs Out of Their Holes

There are many methods to call a groundhog out of its hole. But while you are at it, you must do so without causing harm to your garden or farm.

Below are 10 of the best methods to get rid of groundhog out of its holes.

Set traps
Use animal repellant
Fumigate
Use sonic groundhog repellant
Pour ammonia into the groundhog hole entrances
Get a dog or cat
Use talcum powder
Dump hair and urine
Spray pepper and garlic
Spread agricultural lime

1. Set Traps

Setting traps is a classic method of removing rodents from your property. This method is cost-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Traps are great for removing groundhogs on your property because they don’t necessarily kill the groundhog.

Although there are certain traps that can kill the groundhogs. So, when you go shopping for traps, opt for the non-lethal ones.

Set a couple of traps around your yard, and when it does catch the groundhogs, relocate them to the habitat it can thieve.

While using traps to catch groundhogs is great, it comes with challenges. These challenges include having to set the trap multiple times, or the trap may catch other animals.

2. Use Animal Repellant

Another way to call groundhogs out of your property is by using animal repellents. The smell and taste of the right type of repellents can cause rodents, including groundhogs, to leave an area.

While animal repellents are great, some of them contain chemicals that are bad for the environment.

So, if you must use this option of how to call a groundhog out of its hole, get an environmentally friendly repellant.

Do well to read the ingredient of the repellant before purchasing it. Also, read the instructions on how to prepare the solution.

Apply the repellant around the area the groundhog is a disturbance, be it your barn, shed, deck, and so on. When you apply the repellant, all you have to do next is wait.

3. Fumigate

Fumigating your property is another solution you can use to get rid of groundhogs out of its hole. This method is lethal, so you should leave it to the professional.

The professionals will take proper caution regarding local laws when it comes to fumigation.

If you are going to fumigate, don’t do it when the groundhogs are in hibernation or during birthing season.

The fumigate fumes are strong, so only fumigate some burrow entrances, so there is an exit route for the groundhog.

4. Use Sonic Groundhog Repellant

The sonic groundhog repellant is an excellent device for anyone wondering how to call a groundhog out of its hole.

This device creates a constant vibration that shakes the homes of the groundhog. It could be a vibrating sonic device, spinning pinwheel, lawn windmills, etc.

To use this device, place it near the entrance or on top of the burrow to scare the groundhog.

You could place more than one of these vibrating devices around your perimeter to deter groundhog activities on your property.

5. Pour Ammonia Into the Groundhog Hole Entrances

Many households have ammonia on hand, making it a particularly convenient method for anyone seeking how to call a groundhog out of its hole.

Ammonia gives off a strong, pungent odor that scares the groundhogs away. To use this method, mix one-part ammonia with three parts water.

Next, sprint a few drops of the solution at the entrance of the groundhogs.

6. Get a Dog or Cat

A natural way to call groundhogs out of its hole is by using their natural predator.

Dogs and cats are groundhogs’ natural predators. So, keeping them around can encourage groundhogs to leave your property.

Groundhogs are easily scared. So, if they know a predator is in the vicinity, they will stay clear of the environment.

Hence, owning a dog or cat is a natural way to get rid of groundhogs. But if your dog or cat is fully indoors, this method may not work.

7. Dump Hair and Urine

If you don’t own a dog or a cat, another recommendable way for anyone wondering how to call a groundhog out of its hole is by using the hair or urine of dogs or cats.

The hair or urine of cats and dogs have the same effect as having the dogs or cats around.

Dumping dogs’ or cats’ hair and urine within the vicinity of the groundhog can also work in your favor.

Also, human hair could work in your favor. Using this strategy works because it is a way predators mark their presence.

Also, if you live in an area with coyotes, the urine of coyotes could work. When using this method, whether you use hair or urine, make sure you leave at least a burrow entrance untouched.

8. Use Talcum Powder

Also, you could call groundhogs out of its hole with talcum powder as they hate the smell.

Talcum powder is made from talc, primarily composed of silicon, oxygen, and magnesium. The scent of talcum powder is bothersome to groundhogs and could even be dangerous.

Using talcum powder is a great way to eradicate groundhogs as it is environmentally friendly and does not harm nearby plants. To use talcum powder, sprinkle it near the burrow entrances.

9. Spray Pepper and Garlic

Using the flavonoids of spices like pepper and garlic is another excellent way you can call a groundhog out of its hole in your vicinity.

Using natural elements like spice is a great way to eradicate groundhogs without choking down your garden.

You could make a spicy spray by mixing the spice with water and a few drops of dish soup. Shake well and allow to sit overnight before use.

If making a spicy spray is too cumbersome, you could also use crushed pepper and garlic.

10. Sprint Agricultural Lime

If you could get your hands on agricultural lime, it is a technical way to call groundhogs out of its hole.

An agricultural lime alters the soil’s pH level, making it acidic. Agricultural lime is caustic, so it can cause skin burns.

When handling agricultural lime, be careful and wear the necessary protection.

When you apply agricultural lime in the burrow entrance, whenever the groundhog comes in contact with it, it causes a mild burn on its feet. This causes groundhog pain, causing it to seek refuge somewhere else.

Conclusion

Conclusively, having groundhogs in your vicinity can cause a lot of unwanted burrows in your yard.

You can call groundhogs out of its hole and prevent further burrowing in your yard by putting up a fence or removing any food source that may attract them.

But if groundhogs are already in your vicinity, feel free to use any of the above methods to get rid of them. And the majority of the methods above are humane and cause no harm to the groundhogs.

So, feel free to use any of the methods or speak with an expert professional for further assistance.