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Vegetable Gardening

Does anyone know of a home made groundhog deterrant spray?

11 years ago

Does anyone have a tried and true formulation? I had beautiful butternut squash last year and something (I think groundhogs) took huge bites out of all of them and I had to rip out all the plants. This year we are growing them again and they will start setting fruit soon. I need to spray them with something that really will keep them away. Thank you!

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Comments (4)

wolverine1012
11 years ago
The best thing to get their attention is buckshot.

Seriously, I had the same problem last year with a family of groundhogs that burrowed under a neighbors garage. Of note, my garden was only about 10 feet away and my squash (and other things suffered the same fate). I also had problems with deer and this year put up an electric fence. So far, no deer or groundhog problems. I've seen both on the outside of the fence, but the inside seems to be safe.
michelelc
11 years ago
I had groundhogs last year and I think once they get at taste of your garden, no spray is going to deter them. They are like lawn mowers for the garden, and can really do damage very quickly. Either a fence with hardware cloth (wire mesh) dug at least 12" below ground or better yet, as wolverine said, an electric fence would be the best defense. I also got a trap and got rid of the pests but neighbors have spotted new ones this year.
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coachr
11 years ago
I must agree with the previous posts that a "spray on" is not likely to work with groundhogs.
Fence is certainly an option. The others I would recommend is a motion activated device called the Contech Scarecrow Sprinkler or a Fear Based Repellent like Shake-Away's Small Critter Repellent.
The sprinkler runs on a battery and needs a pressurized water source (hose). Shake-Away can be sprinkled right on the ground around the area you want to protect.

Here is a link that might be useful: Groundhog Repellent
jpc57
11 years ago
Our Jack Russell Terrorist takes care of Mr. Groundhog here!

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