Boy, do I have experience with this! Just Monday, my neighbor and I had the last 3 kill traps taken out. We have been involved in an ongoing battle with groundhogs since about March. We used the Humane wildlife company and caught the first few with the have-a-heart traps. But alas, we couldn't get them all and finally ( not our choice) the company told us that it seemed the only way we would be able to rid ourselves of them was the kill traps. We were both afraid of falling in a hole that we might not see, a very real possibility in my garden. They had dug one alternate hole in the back of my garden ( which just got filled in with rocks and soil yesterday.) Our final total ( and we hope this is the end, but have paid through the end of this year if we see more) is 11 groundhogs, 5 possums ( relocated) 1 skunk.

Here's the good news: they don't seem to like daylilies! They did eat some of my Rudbeckias and Echinaceas almost down to the ground. Also munched out on some clumps of Euphorbia,but they didn't touch the daylilies and there were hundreds around where they went for the other stuff!

Good luck with your groundhog issues! Our state has a law prohibiting relocation of groundhogs, as they are considered pests, so even if you catch them here, they have to be humanely euthanized. This whole thing has been a nightmare- they dug numerous tunnels under the back of my neighbors and our property. I have an AHS Display garden which had to be closed right at peak bloom this year. Ugh!

I haven't had a problem with groundhogs and daylilies (I have a couple of good sized colonies). I've had one that acquired a taste for hot peppers so I wouldn't rule out the possibility entirely. I don't think there would be "ditchlilies" if groundhogs really had a taste for them, then again it seems deer have a taste for the fancy daylilies.

They are a nuisance and will attack if cornered. No joke, my Mom chased one across the yard and when he couldn't find his exit hole he turned and chased her back across the yard! One of the funnier things I've ever seen, Mom didn't see it that way. Going to war with them is frustrating, I've won a battle here and there but in the end they've come out on top.

Best of luck!

Wes

That's a funny story Wes. :) We have them here too and one decimated one of my echinaceas but it rebounded. They don't seem to touch the daylilies. They haven't been around since early summer.
I always like seeing them though because they are just too cute. Of course, if one was chasing me I wouldn't think so. :)
Sorry they are such a problem for you. I hope the worst is over.

Well, thats good news that they don't seem to prefer the daylilies but I don't like the fact of another potential pest in the back yard. As soon as I saw the critter I put out the Have-a-hart trap. Didn't catch it last night but I will keep trying.
Wow, floota the groundhogs must have been in your area for a few years to get to that population. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Mike

let's kill all the wildlife. i moved to maryland by the bay and one of my neighbors traps and kills any wildlife found on her property. really makes a lot of sense to you i bet. where ARE they supposed to live?

Boldtruth11 , I think you misread these people. They dont want to kill the animals but these animals do pose a problem with their holes they dig in the ground. if stepped in it is a guaranteed broken ankle or foot not to mention the damage they cause by eating plants that are purchased and put in the gardens. Of course everyone's preference is to move them ! Your statement was quite harsh. Of course they could ship them to you and you could find them a home but please keep them away from your neighbour ! Not sure why you dragged up a 2009 post on this .

I just saw a recommended bait for groundhogs - cantaloupe. You can find more info on Havahart's web site.