Groundhogs are large rodents that create complex underground burrows, which can disturb a homeowner’s property. Signs that you have a groundhog in your yard are large dirt mounds near tunnel entrances. Groundhogs often place their tunnel entrances somewhere safe for shelter, such as under a shed, porch, or deck.
There are several ways you can deter groundhogs from making a mess of your property and shed foundation. Continue reading for tips on how to get rid of groundhogs under a shed or other manmade structures.
How to Get Rid of Groundhogs Under a Shed
The following tips for getting rid of groundhogs under a shed are all humane methods. Let’s take a look at the different ways you can force the groundhog on your property to leave and deter others from coming into your yard.
1. Natural Repellant Sprays
Groundhogs hate the smell of certain spices and essential oils such as cayenne, garlic, and peppermint oil. You can create a natural groundhog repellent spray by mixing spices or peppermint oil with water and spraying it around your garden and near groundhog tunnel entrances.
You may need to spray the natural repellant a few times before the groundhog under your shed decides to vacate your property. Spraying the repellent around the base of the shed will eventually irritate the groundhog’s senses, causing it to leave.
2. Put Up a Fence
Fences are a great way to keep unwanted animals out of your yard. If you have a groundhog living under a shed or in another part of your property, you will first want to get rid of it before putting up a fence.
Since groundhogs can dig deep tunnels, the fence must be inserted underground as well. It is recommended that the fence is placed at least 2 feet underground to ensure groundhogs can’t get into your property through their burrows.
3. Plant Lavender or Herbs in Your Garden
Groundhogs don’t like the smell of lavender or other strong smelling herbs such as mint, rosemary, or basil. Planting these herbs around your shed will cause them to leave and deter other groundhogs from entering your property.
If the groundhog in your yard is feeding on your garden, you can also add these herbs there as they will avoid the area due to the smell the herbs give off.
4. Castor Oil
Many backyard critters, including groundhogs, do not like the smell of castor oil. Sprinkling castor oil around the base of your shed and near the entrances of their tunnel will make them abandon the area.
You should try to pour the castor oil in their tunnel entrance when they are not in their burrow as they will just remain there until the smell is less strong.
5. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is a great product for deterring groundhogs because they don’t like the taste. Groundhogs are attracted to properties that have an abundance of food for them to snack on, so sprinkling epsom salt around your yard near plants will make them avoid eating in the area.
You can also sprinkle epsom salt around the entrances of the burrows and around the base of the shed to make groundhogs leave. It is best to place the epsom salt after it has rained to prevent it from washing away.
6. Animal Hair
Groundhogs are solitary creatures that avoid areas they find to be a threat. If you have an animal that sheds a lot, you can collect some of their hair and sprinkle it around your shed and near tunnel entrances to scare the groundhog away. Groundhogs will be able to pick up the scent of your animal and assume that the other creature they smell could be a predator and leave the area.
7. Ammonia
Ammonia is known for being a very effective groundhog repellent. You can find ammonia cleaner online, which can be sprayed near the area the groundhog is living. Ammonia has a strong smell to groundhogs and they will avoid areas that have been treated.
Although ammonia is effective, you will want to use it sparingly as too much of it can kill your plants. Be sure to only spray ammonia near groundhog tunnel entrances and wherever it is absolutely necessary to avoid killing your grass and other vegetation.
8. Transport the Groundhog Elsewhere
Groundhogs can be pretty stubborn and difficult to get rid of once they find a nice shelter and area to live in. Live traps can be used to catch groundhogs so you can transport them to another location safely. Catching a groundhog with a trap may take some time as they may be cautious of the new object you have in your yard.
In order to lure a groundhog into a live trap, you will need to place food inside to entice them. Groundhogs love feeding on clover, broccoli, soybeans, and common garden vegetables.
Place these foods in the back of the trap so the groundhog can’t escape with the food before the door shuts. Once you’ve captured the groundhog, release it far enough away from human development so it will not return or wreak havoc in someone else’s yard.
9. Call a Pest or Wildlife Control Service
If you’ve exhausted all of the above methods to get rid of the groundhog under your shed, it might be time to call a pest or wildlife control service.
For groundhogs, pest and wildlife control will more than likely set up live traps around the property and check them daily. Once the groundhog is captured, they will humanely dispose of or relocate the animal elsewhere.
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