skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

groundhogs

16 years ago

We're trying to get rid of a groundhog (and offspring) and I was wondering if anyone has had success with Critter Ridder? It's a hot pepper concoction that you can spray or put down in granular form. I was thinking about spreading it underneath the shed to discourage them.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

irishdancersgram
16 years ago
We haven't tried that but just about everything else...Do you get it at Home Depot or Lowes? They have caused a lot of havoc in my flower beds and at times have gotten in the garden even though we have it fenced....There have been times when I tell DH to get the gun, but when I see the little ones, they are darn cute.....
Let us know if you get it and it works.....
heather_on
16 years ago
Seems a shame to get rid of cute little groundhogs. We love driving to different parks to see them but I guess having them on your own property is a little bit different.
Related Discussions
Groundhog in backyard
Q
Comments (13)
No rolled up sod this morning, thinking it was originally groundhogs I laid out bright balloons, pinwheels and spread a ton of Costco Chili Powder around the grass. Coincidence or not who knows but it also seems that the squirrels are scared of the pinwheels, something I should have put 2 months ago before they ravished my tomatoes (unlike any other summer, I'm assuming it was due to the dry summer we had and they were super thirsty).
...See More
Planting pockets in large retaining wall full of holes from groundhogs
Q
Comments (0)
Below is an example (not mine) of the retaining wall I have across about 25' of my backyard. The two lower rows of "planting pockets" are being dug out by groundhogs....and when vacated (for NEW groundhog holes)...these "holes" become home to possums and skunks. Chipmunks make a mess in the upper planting pockets. I used to trap the groundhogs but our city no longer "relocates" them...they say you must release on your own property (sort of self defeating isn't it?) and I really do not like to exterminate (there is a lot of land around me where the groundhogs wouldn't be in anyone's way).....anyway I was thinking of shoving strong welded wire mesh deep into the holes. Figure that the wire mesh would deform enough to "lock" in place. then repacking with soil for planting. We actually built a low garden bed (with retaining wall border) at the base of the LARGE retaining wall (to try to dissuade the animals) and now the groundhogs just dig at a higher row of blocks. LITERALLY PULLING MY HAIR OUT!! Does anyone have similar problems? Do you think the mesh might work?
...See More
So, I feel so bad about groundhogs now.
Q
Comments (48)
Oh, for groundhogs. There’s a place in Portland, ME where people must drop them off. When you exit the turnpike to go to the seafood places and docks, on thw way, before the bridge to SoPO, the road goes along the Fore river. There are clam shackes and various businesses. Between the road and the Fore River is a wide grassy strip. Lots of woodchucks. Perfect terrain for them — grassy areas with loam and good soil, view of the tugs and tankers. Shore breeze. There is the hazard of that busy access road, however. You can go for a beer and lobster roll, sit on the deck of one of the clam shacks, and watch the groundhogs. Or you can just drive past them and wave. I suppose if you’re looking for woodchucks, you could adopt one.
...See More
groundhog damage/tunnel network under home foundation?
Q
Comments (2)
Ammonia. works perfectly costs essentially nothing. they leave immediately and never return. place dishpans wherever you see an opening and also pour it down the hole. Can saturate rags and stuff in also. They will never come back and the ammonia smell is very lasting. it also doesn’t kill vegetation. We were going to get the trapper person but it is crazy expensive. Ammonia is definitely the answer. we have been free of them one year now https://www.google.com/search?q=ammonia+to+get+rid+of+groundhogs&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS676US676&oq=ammonia+to+get+rid+of+ground&aqs=chrome.0.0i512j69i57j0i22i30l3j0i390.11519j0j7&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
...See More
maire_cate
Original Author
16 years ago
They do carry it at Home Depot, Ace and True Value hardware stores. I looked for reviews online and the reviews were mixed. I'm going to buy the granules and spread them under the shed and around the perimeter of my deck. I happened to look out my sliding door and watched one sunning himself on my deck. If one of my dogs had seen him I'm afraid my drapes would have been shredded.

Groundhogs are not considered dangerous but they do have sharp teeth and claws and their burrowing can cause damage. Our wildlife control officer said to wait until later in the summer when the babies are weaned.
deemarie5500
16 years ago
I got rid of one living underneath our shed by placing a radio, speaker down, at the highest volume on the floor of the shed.

Trick was to put it on a hip-hop station and leave it on until the battery went dead. Took about 2 days for that groundhog to move on. LOL!!!!
donna_loomis
16 years ago
Don't know about groundhogs, but Critter Ridder was absolutely worthless at keeping the cats out of my yard.
bulldinkie
16 years ago
They do alot of damage with the holes ,tunnels.We have registered horses and texas longhorned cattle cant afford to have one break a leg etc.
Marcia Thornley
16 years ago
I bought critter ridder at Home Depot. It did nothing to deter our Groundhog! I had tried every trick in the book and nothing was working. As cute as he was, he was destroying my gardens and the lawn was full of dangerous holes.
In desperation I bought a huge bottle of Hot Sauce and sprayed it around the entrance and exit holes that I could find. I also sprayed in on some of my plants that I new he loved to nibble on. Two weeks later he moved on! I did have to be careful not to spray it anywhere the dog might get into but it did work! I soaked the soil around the main entrance hole so that even if he dug it would still make contact. He did not like it! I know it seems somewhat cruel but it was better than what DH wanted to do! Our Groundhog is now living quite happily in a neighbours yard across the street!

Related Stories

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Groundhog Day Forecast

Liven up your space no matter what the furry foreteller’s shadow does

0

HOLIDAYS 11 Survival Lessons From Thanksgiving

By Becky Harris

With 10 people in 1 house for 3 days, you learn fast. Find out the good, the challenging and the just plain kooky

GARDENING GUIDES Mid-Atlantic Gardener: What to Do in July

Seedpods, herbs and flowers galore take center stage in the garden this month

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Shadow World

The interplay between light and dark adds drama to decor

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Design Your Landscape to Slow Down Water

By Falon Mihalic

Putting the brakes on stormwater runoff is the first step in sustainable water design

GARDENING GUIDES Top 12 Summer-Blooming Perennials for Deer-Resistant Drama

Can you have garden color, fragrance and exciting foliage with hungry deer afoot? These beauties say yes

MOST POPULAR Summer Crops: How to Grow Sunflowers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Savor snack-tastic sunflower seeds once the radiant blooms have faded — if the birds have saved you any, that is

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Wild Birds Transform a Woman’s Garden and Life

By Mary Jo Bowling

How Sharon Sorenson created a wildlife haven and became the Bird Lady of Southern Indiana

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Backyard Living: The Scoop on Chicken Coops

Perk up your morning with fresh eggs and chickadee clucks when you build a chicken coop in your own yard

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Fernbush

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

This rock-loving shrub's delicate honey-scented flowers attract butterflies, but its low water needs may be the real draw in summer

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can we start a Chain Reaction Game - Part 5

107

Nathan Fielder Interviews Elizabeth Holmes (Parody)

5

Weekend Music - Traveling - PART II

7

How do I save photos from posts?

11

Kefir anyone???

11