Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, can be found in Connecticut and other parts of the United States. While many people associate the small, furry animals with predictions about the arrival of spring, they can also be a nuisance to property owners.
Woodchucks’ Appearance and Habits
Woodchucks are large rodents that are related to squirrels. Although groundhogs prefer to live in rural areas, they are sometimes found in urban locations, where they choose to live in gardens, parks, and other areas filled with vegetation.
Woodchucks weigh five to 10 pounds and have short legs and sharp front teeth. Their front feet have long, curved claws that they use to dig burrows in fields and near buildings, fences, and trees.
The burrows that woodchucks dig may be long and deep. They can be difficult to see, and people, pets, and livestock that fall in woodchuck burrows can be seriously injured. Burrows can also cause damage to equipment used for farming and lawn care, such as tractors and lawnmowers.
Groundhogs can cause serious damage to property. They often dig burrows near stone walls, which can cause them to collapse. If woodchucks dig burrows under driveways and parking lots, they can cause structural damage and may eventually cause the structure to collapse. A burrow near a building foundation can even cause damage that can affect the entire building.
Woodchucks mostly eat fruits and vegetables. They may damage or destroy gardens, crops, flowers, and trees in their search for food. They may also gnaw on hoses and fuel lines in vehicles, which can cause significant damage that may require expensive repairs. In addition, woodchucks sometimes use their sharp front teeth to chew on electrical lines, which can cause a power outage and possibly start a fire.
What to Do If You Think You Have Woodchucks in Your Yard
If you have noticed damage to your garden or to trees and plants on your property, or if you have seen one or more burrows in your yard, you may have a woodchuck problem. Don’t approach or try to trap woodchucks yourself. Even though they will generally hide in a den if someone approaches, they may become aggressive if they feel threatened. Their teeth and claws could seriously injure you.
Contact the professionals at Anderson Wildlife Control. We can live-trap the woodchucks and move them to another location a safe distance from your home to keep them from coming back and causing more damage. Once we have removed them, you may want to install a fence to keep other groundhogs out in the future and to prevent injuries and further property damage.
