Woodchucks (or Groundhogs) are the largest members of the squirrel family. They have claws adapted for digging and are brownish gray in color.
Habitat - They live in brushy areas adjacent to grass or croplands. Their burrows open at the base of a tree or rock on one end and in a open field at the other end. The openings are 10 - 12 inches in diameter and should not be confused with the smaller chipmunk or ground squirrel burrows.
Diet - Grasses, clover, alfalfa, soybeans, peas, lettuce, and apples.
Behavior - The woodchuck hibernates from November to March. They emit a whistle before emerging from the burrow or when alarmed. They feed mainly during the early morning and evening, standing upright frequently to look for danger. They range from 40-160 acres.
Reproduction - They breed from March to May, giving birth to litters of 4-5 young from April to early June. They are polygamous. The mother drives out the male when she gives birth and drives out some of the young to find nearby burrows by midsummer.
March through May is the ideal time to control damage caused by woodchucks. Woodchucks are best controlled at these times because: 1) there is little green food and they are easily enticed into box traps; 2) the burrow entrances are easy to find because they are not concealed by vegetation; and 3) the woodchucks alive now are the breeding population that will produce many young woodchucks in June and July.
Exclusion - Exclude woodchucks from small garden plots with electric fences or chicken wire. Use 2 wires: the inside wire (garden side) should be 2 inches high and the outside wire should be 4 inches high. Keep the wires weed free. Chicken wire should be buried 12 inches into the soil to prevent burrowing, with 3-4 feet above ground.
Repellents - Moth balls or ammonia soaked rags may be effective to repel woodchucks from burrows. Hinder or other distasteful chemicals may be used on vegetation.
Toxicants - No poisons are registered for woodchuck control.
Trapping - Trapping is easier in March and April because vegetative growth is less abundant and does not conceal the burrow entrances, making them easier to find.
Live Traps (or cage traps) - Bait the traps with whole kernel
corn, apple slices, lettuce, potatoes, carrots or similar materials. Once
green vegetation becomes abundant in late April and May, these traps become
much less effective.
Woodchucks caught in the trap can be humanely destroyed or transported and
released. Woodchucks must be released at least 5 miles away within hours
after being caught, since those that remain in the trap for more than a
few hours may injure themselves so badly that they die of subsequent infection.
Release them on land where owners tolerate them or on wildlife management
areas, not on agricultural land.
Live traps are available at the animal control shelter or purchased from
hardware stores. Other traps, like the leg-hold should be avoided in areas
where there may be children or pets.
Leg-hold and body gripper traps - In rural areas, woodchucks can be caught using leg-hold traps or body gripping killer traps. Leg-hold traps catch the woodchuck’s leg, holding them until they can by clubbed or shot. Body gripping traps kill the woodchucks as they pass through it. Contact the DNR for the necessary permits.
Shooting - Persistent and accurate shooting is a very effective way to control woodchucks on rural land.
Fumigation - Woodchucks may be gassed using commercial gas cartridges labeled for fumigation of woodchuck burrows. The cartridges produce carbon monoxide which kills the woodchucks. They are available in retail stores throughout Michigan. To obtain a USDA-ADC Service gas cartridge, contact Doug Parr, USDA-ADC, 108 Spring Street, St. Johns, MI 48879. When using any gas cartridge, follow the directions carefully to insure that there is no risk of fire or health hazards. They should not be used under sheds, buildings or near combustible materials. Two materials, calcium cyanide and aluminum phosphide, are both restricted to people with appropriate permits
Pets - Most dogs of any large breed, such as German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, or Blue-tick hounds can be encouraged to kill woodchucks.
