Groundhog Diet and Feeding Habits
Ever wonder “What do groundhogs eat?” Knowing what they eat can help with control and prevention. Read on to learn about common groundhog feeding habits.
As true hibernators, rather than caching food for the winter, groundhogs depend on fat reserves. Local vegetation typically dictates what groundhogs eat and the pests can easily adapt to available food choices.
Professional pest control services can provide a thorough inspection of your property to identify groundhog activity and implement effective exclusion methods. These may include installing underground barriers, using traps, and applying repellents tailored to your specific situation. Professional services ensure that groundhog control is conducted humanely and in compliance with local wildlife regulation
Most Common Groundhog Meals
Primarily, groundhogs eat grasses, clover, alfalfa, and dandelions. In addition, groundhogs like to eat garden fruits and vegetables like berries, apples, lettuce, corn, and carrots.
Groundhogs have strong, chisel-like teeth that are continuously growing, requiring them to gnaw on various plants to keep their teeth from becoming too long. This gnawing behavior not only helps them maintain dental health but also causes visible damage to plants and trees. They often leave behind noticeable bite marks on fruits and vegetables
What Do Groundhogs Like to Eat in the Summer?
In the summer, groundhogs forage at dusk and dawn for hackberry, mulberry, and maple leaves. They will also eat snails, grasshoppers, and grubs, but live food is a small percentage of their diet.
Damage Caused by a Groundhog’s Diet
Groundhog feeding can lead to significant agricultural damage, particularly in gardens and crop fields. Their burrowing habits can undermine structures, such as foundations, driveways, and garden beds, further exacerbating the damage. Gardeners often find entire rows of plants destroyed or severely damaged by groundhogs’ persistent feeding.
On average, groundhogs consume a third of their weight in vegetation each day. Other than burrowing, signs of damage include hollowed out crops and bite marks in vegetables.
DIY fencing around crops groundhogs like to eat and high frequency sound repellents can help keep these pests away. But, the best bet is to contact the professionals at Orkin Canada.
Professional Assistance
Our experts have the best knowledge to answer what groundhogs are eating around your home. With years of experience and the right equipment, they can help prevent groundhog infestation.
Professional pest control services can provide a thorough inspection of your property to identify groundhog activity and implement effective exclusion methods. These may include installing underground barriers, using traps, and applying repellents tailored to your specific situation. Professional services ensure that groundhog control is conducted humanely and in compliance with local wildlife regulation
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