Groundhog (woodchuck)

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Install sturdy fencing buried at least 12 inches deep around sheds, decks, and similar structures to prevent burrowing.
• Keep vegetation trimmed near buildings to reduce attracting woodchucks and concealment for burrow entrances.
• Woodchucks are often called groundhogs.

Around home

• Inspect buildings for gaps or holes along foundations, skirting, and porches. Seal openings with durable materials such as hardware cloth or metal flashing.
• Keep vegetable gardens, flower beds, and young shrubs protected from woodchucks with sturdy fencing made of metal mesh. Fencing should be buried at least 12 inches underground to prevent burrowing underneath.
• Use metal skirting or fencing to keep woodchucks from climbing trees to access fruit and new twig growth.
• Harvest garden produce and fallen fruit promptly to reduce attracting woodchucks.

Pets and livestock

• Woodchucks generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase woodchucks, which can lead to injury for both animals.
• Livestock are not typically affected by woodchucks, but installing rocks or sturdy erosion-control materials on edges of livestock drinking areas may help prevent woodchucks from creating burrows hazardous to livestock and equipment.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing woodchucks from accessing food and secure areas to make burrows is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from woodchucks.
• If a woodchuck is using a den under a porch or shed, watch for the animal to leave or place ammonia-soaked rags at the burrow entrance to encourage the animal to leave. Once vacant, securely block the entrance.
• Various woodchuck deterrents, such as motion-activated lights and chemical sprays, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• Woodchucks may be live trapped, but cannot be moved off the property they were trapped.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of woodchucks other than for permitted research.
• If you find an injured woodchuck or young woodchuck that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• In areas where hunting or trapping is allowed, a woodchuck may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting or trapping license if the woodchuck is doing or about to do damage. A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used to lethally remove a woodchuck not related to damage.
• In areas where hunting and trapping are not allowed, you can contact a nuisance animal control company. Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the woodchuck.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Install fencing buried 12 inches deep around public buildings and similar structures to prevent burrowing.
• Keep vegetation trimmed near buildings to reduce attracting woodchucks and concealment for burrow entrances.
• Woodchucks are often called groundhogs.

Your community

• Educate residents and staff about minimizing food sources, such as fallen fruit and gardens, particularly near brushy areas which may attract woodchucks and other wildlife. Spring and summer outreach is especially effective.
• If a woodchuck enters a window well or enclosed space and cannot get out, a rough board can be placed diagonally to allow it to climb out safely. Where possible, fence off the space to prevent another occurrence.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding woodchucks and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Public spaces

• Inspect municipal buildings and park structures for foundation openings that may allow burrowing. Seal holes with durable materials.
• Remove or secure abandoned structures and rock piles and wood piles that could provide shelter for woodchucks.

Pets and livestock

• Educate residents about keeping dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase wildlife. Woodchucks generally avoid pets, may bite if cornered, and lead to injuries to dogs and woodchucks
• Woodchuck burrows may occasionally pose a hazard to livestock. Inspect areas where livestock roam to ensure woodchucks are not creating burrows.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing woodchucks from accessing food and secure areas to make burrows is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from woodchucks.
• If a woodchuck is using a den in an undesirable location, watch for the animal to leave or place ammonia-soaked rags at the burrow entrance to encourage it to leave. Once vacant, block the entrance with sturdy material and backfill the hole when time allows.
• Various woodchuck deterrents, such as motion-activated lights and chemical sprays, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• Woodchucks may be live trapped, but cannot be moved off the property they were trapped.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of woodchucks other than for permitted research.
• If someone finds an injured woodchuck or young woodchuck that they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• If your jurisdiction allows hunting or trapping, a woodchuck may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting or trapping license if the woodchuck is doing or about to do damage. A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used to lethally remove a woodchuck not related to damage.
• In jurisdictions where hunting and trapping are not allowed, you can contact a nuisance animal control company. Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the woodchuck.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Install fencing buried 12 inches deep around buildings and similar structures to prevent burrowing.
• Keep vegetation trimmed near buildings and playgrounds to reduce attracting woodchucks and concealment for burrow entrances.
• Woodchucks are often called groundhogs.

Grounds

• Inspect building foundations and exterior structures and seal any gaps that could invite burrowing.
• Keep landscaping debris and cafeteria waste secured to avoid attracting woodchucks.
• Protect landscaped areas, school gardens, or ornamental plantings with sturdy fencing with holes 3 inches or smaller buried at least 12 inches in the ground.
• Maintain vegetation around buildings to decrease concealment opportunities.

Pets and livestock

• Educate staff and visitors about keeping dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase wildlife. Woodchucks generally avoid pets, may bite if cornered, and lead to injuries to dogs and woodchucks
• Woodchuck burrows may occasionally pose a hazard to livestock. Inspect areas where livestock roam to ensure woodchucks are not creating burrows.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing woodchucks from accessing food and secure areas to make burrows is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from woodchucks.
• If a woodchuck is using a den in an undesirable location, watch for the animal to leave or place ammonia-soaked rags at the burrow entrance to encourage it to leave. Once vacant, block the entrance with sturdy material and backfill the hole when time allows.
• Various woodchuck deterrents, such as motion-activated lights and chemical sprays, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• Woodchucks may be live trapped, but cannot be moved off the property they were trapped.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of woodchucks other than for permitted research.
• If someone finds an injured woodchuck or young woodchuck that they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• If your area allows hunting or trapping, a woodchuck may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting or trapping license if the woodchuck is doing or about to do damage. A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used to lethally remove a woodchuck not related to damage.
• In areas where hunting and trapping are not allowed, you can contact a nuisance animal control company. Consider contacting the Michigan Trappers & Predator Callers to check if they have anyone interested in trapping the woodchuck.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Install sturdy fencing buried at least 12 inches deep around barns, sheds, and similar structures to prevent burrowing.
• Keep vegetation trimmed near buildings to reduce attracting woodchucks and concealment for burrow entrances.
• Woodchucks are often called groundhogs.

Your farm or orchard

• Keep buildings, hoop houses, and other structures protected from woodchucks with sturdy fencing made of metal mesh. Fencing should be buried at least 12 inches underground to prevent burrowing.
• Use metal skirting or fencing to keep woodchucks from climbing trees to access fruit and new twig growth.
• Harvest fallen fruit and garden produce promptly to reduce attracting woodchucks.
• Keep livestock food and pet food stored securely to prevent attracting woodchucks.
• Minimize dirt piles, brush piles and similar structures that woodchucks find attractive for burrowing.
• Woodchuck damage to crops is typically concentrated on field edges bordering woodlots, especially where brush piles and similar structures provide secure burrowing.
• Woodchuck damage viewed from tree top level will typically look fan shaped extending from their primary burrow into the field. Damage often appears as neatly clipped vegetation, missing seedlings, and burrows with round openings at field edges.

Pets and livestock

• Woodchucks generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase woodchucks, which can lead to injury for both animals.
• Livestock are not typically affected by woodchucks, but installing rocks or sturdy erosion-control materials along areas where livestock frequent may help prevent woodchucks from creating burrows hazardous to livestock and equipment. Materials can be covered with soil for aesthetic and safety purposes.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing woodchucks from accessing food and secure areas to make burrows is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens or individual plants from woodchucks.
• If a woodchuck is using a den under a barn or other building, watch for the animal to leave or place ammonia-soaked rags at the burrow entrance to encourage the animal to leave. Onc vacant, securely block the entrance.
• Various woodchuck deterrents, such as motion-activated lights and chemical sprays, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• Woodchucks may be live trapped, but cannot be moved off the property they were trapped.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of woodchucks other than for permitted research.
• If you find an injured woodchuck or young woodchuck that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• If your area allows hunting or trapping, a woodchuck may be lethally removed on private property year-round by the property owner or their designee without a hunting or trapping license if the woodchuck is doing or about to do damage.
• A hunting or trapping license is required if using one of those methods to lethally remove a woodchuck not related to damage.
• You can also contact a nuisance animal control company for woodchuck management.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Install fencing buried 12 inches deep around buildings, hangers, and similar structures to prevent burrowing.
• Keep vegetation trimmed near buildings to reduce attracting woodchucks and concealment for burrow entrances.
• Woodchucks are often called groundhogs.

Around buildings

• Inspect buildings and hangars for gaps in foundations or structures that could allow woodchuck burrowing. Seal openings with durable materials.
• Ensure food sources such as cafeteria waste and garbage are secured.
• Use animal-proof garbage receptacles when possible.
• Maintain vegetation and reduce debris around buildings to limit shelter opportunities.

Airfields

• Minimize shelter for woodchucks by keeping vegetation short and removing debris piles, rock piles, or abandoned structures.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing woodchucks from accessing food and secure areas to make burrows is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Sturdy fencing with 3 inch or smaller holes can help protect small areas of landscaping from woodchucks.
• If a woodchuck is using a den under a hanger or other building, watch for the animal to leave or place ammonia-soaked rags at the burrow entrance to encourage the animal to leave. Once vacant, securely block the entrance.
• Various woodchuck deterrents, such as motion-activated lights and chemical sprays, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief or lacking, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• Woodchucks may be live trapped, but cannot be moved off the property they were trapped.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of woodchucks other than for permitted research.
• If you find an injured woodchuck or young woodchuck that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Woodchucks can be lethally removed year-round without a hunting or trapping license if woodchucks are doing damage or are physically present to imminently cause damage.
• A valid hunting or trapping license is required by anyone removing woodchucks for purposes other than damage on a year-round basis.
• A nuisance animal control company may be of assistance managing woodchucks.