Groundhog, commonly known as a woodchuck, is a species that belongs to the rodent group of animals. Other animals in this group include rats, squirrels, murids, etc.
It is endemic to many places in North America and has a lifespan of up to six years. It is primarily an herbivore as it mainly eats plants, including those grown in gardens, but it also eats many insects and pests.
Groundhogs are pretty ubiquitous in the USA. There are over 200 million groundhogs in the USA and Canada.
Groundhogs hide and raise their families in large burrows. They may harm your plants, house, or even equipment in your yard, as they tend to chew everything.
They are expert climbers and can easily climb trees but prefer to live in burrows. These burrows can be really huge. People have seen some burrows about as long as five cars parked next to each other.
Landscapers put all the energy and time into growing lawns, and the last thing they’d want is to see their lawns getting destroyed by groundhogs. They may dig a burrow in your lawns or eat your favorite plants.
So, is it possible to fill a groundhog hole with concrete? If yes, how to fill a burrow with concrete? Let’s find out!
Fill Groundhog Hole with Concrete
Using concrete is a great way to seal the groundhog holes completely. If you want to fill groundhog holes in your yard with concrete, here is how you can do it.
Start by finding all the holes in your yard. A groundhog hole is usually around 10 to 15 inches open, and there could be multiple holes if you have a big garden.
For this purpose, first, gather some sand from nearby and fill the groundhog hole with it until you reach the last five inches. And yes, adding rocks to the tunnel would be a great idea.
When you are filling a burrow, groundhogs can easily make another one and start living there. However, if you add big rocks, they won’t be able to burrow properly.
Now, fill it with concrete to seal the tunnel. Pouring one to two inches of concrete will do the job. When done, cover it all with topsoil.
Filling the burrows is not enough to keep the groundhogs away from your yard, and they may come back later. So, it is advised to use repellents that groundhogs find offensive.
Garlic, lavenders, and cayenne pepper are some of the many repellents that you can use to get rid of groundhogs. And the best part is that you will likely have these things at home.
Simply cut the garlic into slices and place them in the burrows. When the groundhog smells it, it will likely leave the area. If they come back in the future, consider using the repellents again to get rid of them.
Filling a groundhog hole with concrete might seem like a good idea, but it is not. There are many other ways to keep the groundhogs at bay without filling the burrows with concrete. This is because you will need a lot of concrete to fill the entire burrow.
As mentioned earlier, they can be 50 to 100 feet long, and you will have to shell out an awful lot of money to fill such a long tunnel with concrete.
So, if you want to get rid of groundhogs in your yard without spending much money, it would be better to contact the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This way, you won’t have to deal with them and get rid of them easily.
If your yard has been attacked by a groundhog, you’d know how difficult a groundhog is to deal with. groundhogs can be pretty aggressive at times, and many cases have been reported where they chased or even attacked people.
In addition to that, they might be carrying rabies. So, consider reaching out to a doctor immediately if a groundhog bites you.
Having said that, it is pertinent to mention that groundhogs are not aggressive by nature and will likely only attack you if they feel threatened.
So, how to keep groundhogs from burrowing in your garden? Well, groundhogs can attack your yard even if it is not as big. They love green yards with no obstacles, such as tree roots or big rocks.
Furthermore, installing fences won’t stop them from entering your premises either. This is because they can build a tunnel underneath your fences or just climb over.
This is where electric fences come in handy. As the name suggests, these fences have a current and can shock anyone who touches it. They will surely keep groundhogs and other unwanted animals out of your yard. However, be mindful that they can be quite expensive.
If you are to install electric fences in your yard, you will have to do some work before installing them. First, measure the area where you want to install the electric fences. You can measure it by counting your steps, or you can also use an app for this purpose.
Once you have measured the total area, decide which type of controller you want. Solar chargers are a preferred option as they tend to be more cost-efficient. They work by taking solar energy from the sun and converting it into electric energy.
However, they must be installed in the right place for the best results. So, locate it in a place that receives direct sunlight and is away from trees and other structures that may create a shadow on the charger.
Next, you will have to install a 6 feet tall rod into the ground near the controller. Pierce it into the ground using a heavy-duty hammer.
And yes, make sure to leave a few inches of the rod exposed, as you will have to connect a wire to this rod. Apart from that, make sure that there is no underground power nearby.
Electric fences feature a special type of wires. So, get the wire that is meant to be used in electric fencing. Do not forget to attach the insulator to the post of your electric fences. Attach them at the right height to keep your pets and kids safe.
While installing the wires, make sure they do not come in contact with the post or the fence. The wire should penetrate the insulator, and it would be better to use an insulator handle to avoid getting shocked. This will ensure your safety.
It is recommended to keep an eye on your electric fences to ensure their proper functioning. You will get a voltmeter or an LED display with your electric fences, which will help you determine whether they are working fine or not.
If there is some problem, consider inspecting the wires. If the wire shows any signs of damage, consider reaching out to a trained electrician, and they will fix it.
The Bottom Line
Because of their aggressive nature and burrowing capabilities, groundhogs can be hard to deal with. They dig big underground holes and live there. Filling the groundhog with concrete is not a good idea as it will cost you a great deal of money.
Installing electric fences is a more viable option as it will keep groundhogs away from your lawn. We have discussed how you can fill the burrow with concrete and install electric fences on your lawn.