GROUNDHOGS
GROUNDHOGS - LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK
The groundhog (Marmota monax), also known as the woodchuck and whistle-pig, is a rodent of the squirrel family that belongs to a group of large ground squirrels known as marmots. The North American groundhog is widely distributed in the United States and Canada, especially in the eastern United States, being found as far south as Georgia and Alabama and as far north as Alaska. Groundhogs exist anywhere in Canada except for Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. Groundhogs prefer open areas, fields, forests, clearings, meadows, and rocky slopes and play an essential role in maintaining healthy soil in woodland and plain areas. When groundhogs excavate their burrows, they expose deep, compacted soil to the atmosphere, allowing air to penetrate and reach plant roots. The groundhog's tunneling also helps mix nutrients and organic matter into the soil. Groundhogs are herbivores that primarily consume wild grasses, other vegetation, fruits, including berries, and farm crops. They usually excavate their burrows, where short-growing plants such as luxuriant grasses provide a food source for them. Even while they are feeding groundhogs, usually will not venture more than a few hundred yards from the entrance to their burrow. Woodchucks usually construct summer and winter dens, which typically have several entrances with tunnels and chambers. Groundhog burrows are generally twenty-five to thirty feet long and from two to five feet deep and provide shelter for other wildlife, such as rabbits, raccoons, skunks, opossums, foxes, and snakes. Groundhogs will burrow beneath sheds, porches, decks, and homes in residential areas. Burrows near or under a home can undermine the foundation and destabilize the soil, leading to cracks, uneven floors, and even structural collapse.
Groundhogs are true hibernators, although they can remain active throughout the year in the southern part of their range. Male groundhogs are larger than females and are considerably heavier in the fall than when emerging from hibernation in the spring. Groundhogs are diurnal mammals and are the most solitary of the marmot species. Despite their heavy-bodied appearance, groundhogs are good swimmers and can climb trees when fleeing predators, including foxes, coyotes, bobcats, bears, minks, and weasels. Woodchucks are polygynous, with males having multiple mates each season. Male groundhogs emerge earlier from hibernation than females to establish territories and search for mates. Mating occurs in the spring, from early March to mid or late April. The gestation time is one month, and one to nine young are born, with most litters ranging between three and five pups. The woodchuck pups are weaned at roughly forty-four days of age and leave their mothers becoming independent when they are approximately two months old. Groundhogs are hosts for fleas and ticks and are known carriers of the rabies virus. In the wild, groundhogs typically live for two to three years but can reach six years of age.
GROUNDHOGS: SENSES AND INTELLIGENCE
Groundhogs have keen senses of sight, smell, and hearing, which they use to detect predators, locate food, and navigate their underground burrows. Groundhogs can see a distance of two hundred fifty to three hundred yards away, which helps them identify danger quickly and take appropriate action to avoid it. Woodchuck's eyes, nose, and ears are all located at the very top of their heads, making it easy for them to use their senses from the safety of their burrows to check for imminent danger.
Groundhogs are brilliant animals capable of communicating, forming complex social networks, comprehending social behavior, and problem-solving, including burrowing and sensing threats. Woodchucks form social networks and kinship with their young and can understand social cues and communicate threats via whistling.
GROUNDHOG CONTROL IN NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
Groundhog Inspection is the first step in the groundhog removal and control process. Humane woodchuck removal experts from Nassau County Nuisance Wildlife Removal Services will inspect the property at your Long Island home or business for evidence of groundhog inhabitation.
SIGNS OF GROUNDHOGS
Groundhog Droppings resemble cat droppings but contain undigested insects, nuts, and seeds. Groundhog feces can be 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 2 inches long.
Groundhog Burrows - Normally have large entrances ten to twelve inches wide with mounds of dirt nearby.
Groundhog Footprints - They have four toes on their front feet and five on their rear.
Groundhog Scat - Is typically medium-sized, oval-shaped, and dark brown or black and is usually 1/2 to 3/4 inches in length and 1/4 to 3/8 inches in diameter. Groundhogs mark their territory by defecating near burrows or along paths leading from burrows to feeding areas.
Groundhog Sounds - When alarmed, woodchucks produce a high-pitched whistle to warn the rest of the colony. Groundhogs may squeal when fighting and can also bark.
HOW TO GET RID OF GROUNDHOGS NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
Groundhog Repellents - There are no registered groundhog repellents. No scientific studies show that groundhog repellents, including ultrasonic sound-emitting gadgets and commercially available odor-based repellents, effectively get rid of groundhogs.
Groundhog Trapping - Humane groundhog trapping is an effective technique for getting rid of groundhogs and is used by nuisance wildlife control experts at Nassau County Nuisance Wildlife Removal Services. Knowing what type of humane groundhog trap to use and what bait to use for groundhog removal in Nassau County, New York, is largely contingent upon the time of the year. The humane groundhog trapping method that our Nassau County woodchuck removal experts use is contingent upon the situation and where the groundhog burrows are on your property. Our nuisance wildlife control operators know what humane groundhog trap and what groundhog bait to use in every situation.
Habitat Modification -The best way to get rid of groundhogs is by making your Long Island property less attractive to them, which can be achieved by reducing access to food, water, and shelter.
Woodchuck Exclusion - Upon the completion of the humane woodchuck trapping and removal process from your Long Island property, Nassau County Nuisance Wildlife Removal Services will send out a licensed Nassau County contractor to give you a free estimate on any repairs that need to be done to your home, or business to keep groundhogs out. Our New York State licensed nuisance wildlife control operators will suggest any modifications that can be made to your residence or business to avert future encounters with groundhogs or unwanted wild animals. Here, we will look for ways to prevent groundhogs from residing below your home, business, deck, porch, or shed.
