Woodchucks (Groundhogs) and Their Contro Woodchucks are a common farm and garden pest. Their love for home-grown vegetables is well known - to the chagrin of those hoping to harvest what they have worked so hard to produce. Woodchucks are fairly large animals and are related to the squirrel family. Their diet is generally herbaceous. They will eat quite a variety of foods such as lettuce, spinach, green beans, peas, squash, zucchini and cucumbers. They are known to eat berries as well.

Woodchucks will commonly nest underground beneath homes or sheds. Being a large animal, the opening is anywhere from 4 or 5 inches to as much as 8 or 9 inches in diameter.

Because of its ability to dig underground, fencing this animal out is virtually impossible. Most commonly, people will live trap these animals with traps such as a Havahart TM cage trap. It is recommended that the trapped animal be transported at least 10 miles from its normal habitat. Note that many state and local governments regulate trapping of wild/nuisance animals - you may want to check with local authorities first.

If a woodchuck is living in an opening which is not directly next to a home, it is possible to use smoke "bombs" containing sulfur as the toxicant, to kill the woodchuck underground. This product, is much like a large match. When burned, it creates sulfur dioxide smoke  for a few minutes. The burning cartridge shaped product is placed into the burrow opening and is covered with dirt and rocks.  The sulfur dioxide contained there kills the animal in its burrow.  Caution should be observed with woodchucks as they are capable of carrying rabies. Normally, woodchucks are fearful of humans.  If you see a woodchuck that is not acting normally or is approaching you, be sure to avoid contact with it.