Groundhog

catspjamas · #1 09/08/13, 06:40 PM

I have a groundhog living under my shed. Well, I'm not 100% certain he's living under my shed, that's where he ran to when I went out toward the garden area. He came back out a bit, and we stared at each other for a long time. I was about 10' away. When my 3 month kitten came up, groundhog went under the shed. I just looked out the window and groundhog is back out from under the shed. Ok, my 3 legged cat just chased him back under the shed. I didn't have a garden this year, but my neighbor did. There's still some squash in his garden, I suppose that is what the GH is after.

1shotwade · #2 09/08/13, 07:42 PM

O.K. so be happy you have a groundhog.! Since the 1977 invasion of coyote in this area we no longer have groundhog. This is a sign the coyote population is down!

Harry Chickpea · #3 09/08/13, 07:57 PM

You'll have more ticks and chiggers with a whistlepig around. We had one for about a year and a half, but a couple days ago saw a reynard and was happy to see her.

catspjamas · #4 09/08/13, 09:01 PM

I'm not certain I'm happy about a groundhog under the shed or not. I already have 2 raccoons that come by every evening to finish the food the cats didn't eat. And possums. So far, he's not a nuisance, at least not to me.

doodlemom · #5 09/08/13, 09:11 PM

Under shed groundhogs are a common problem here. Set a live trap with apples or whatever people say they have luck with. This time of year I can't catch a groundhog with the live trap as there's too much to eat around here. You can run a hose from your tractor's exhaust pipe into the hole and plug all other exits and airways. Conibear traps are illegal in my state, but tempting or wait and shoot.

doodlemom · #6 09/08/13, 09:15 PM

A woodchuck under the shed can cause the shed to sink and become not level.

Pops2 · #7 09/08/13, 09:18 PM

Also they're good eating.

doodlemom · #8 09/08/13, 09:21 PM

I thought about that, but they are way too stinky, full of ticks and bot fly and their skin is so thick...Chicken food. They like it lol. They have pet flies that tell you when they're home.

catspjamas · #9 09/08/13, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doodlemom

A woodchuck under the shed can cause the shed to sink and become not level.

LOL! Sorry, this made me laugh because the shed is old, the floor is rotted in one area, there's a hole in the wall, and the roof leaks. But it is still level.

Horseyrider · #10 09/09/13, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catspjamas

LOL! Sorry, this made me laugh because the shed is old, the floor is rotted in one area, there's a hole in the wall, and the roof leaks. But it is still level.

Wait until they have babies, and move under your house.

Voice of experience here....

o&itw · #11 09/09/13, 06:54 AM

As far as eating, groundhogs are very fat and greasy this time of year, and since most of the "wild" taste is in the fat, they are quite gamey. If you decide to try it for dinner, make sure you cut all the fat off you can, and par-boil it for about 3 hours before you bake it.

Ground hogs (also called wood chucks in some areas) are notorious for digging under foundations and causing problems. He may be cute, but I suggest you rehome him to the big community in the sky.

joebill · #12 09/09/13, 06:57 AM

Time do get rid of her and do some boarding up around the place. That snug little haven under the shed will prob'ly make a good home for a skunk, next.....Joe

tinknal · #13 09/09/13, 12:03 PM

Find someone locally who owns and hunts working terriers. They will gladly come and remove your vermin.

Michael W. Smith · #14 09/09/13, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catspjamas

LOL! Sorry, this made me laugh because the shed is old, the floor is rotted in one area, there's a hole in the wall, and the roof leaks. But it is still level.

Well, that "cute" groundhog, is going to dig a multitude of holes under the shed. That dirt has to go somewhere, which is up under your your floor (that is rotted in one area). All that dirt up against the other parts of the floor will wick moisture from the ground to the wood which will make the floor even more rotten. Also, with all the digging, the foundation of your shed will be compromised.

And if your groundhog is a female, wait till next year when she has 4-6 babies that when older will look for new homes in your area.

If the groundhog is running under there, it probably already has a hole to go into. Best thing to do is get rid of it.

You can go the no kill way (by blaring a loud rock and roll station radio) right near the shed which MAY decide it's too noisy and move (to someplace close by), or just shoot it and be done with it.

If you don't have a gun or are uncomfortable doing it, contact one of your local teen boys who hunt, and he will be happy to "target" practice.