I was curious if anyone has ever had groundhogs in their neighborhood because we have 2 of them living in my neighbors yard. They have made a huge mound of dirt next to their garage. I don't want to harm them so any advice would be appreciated.

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phillydi

I used a product called Critter Ridder that I purchased at Home Depot. It might be some kind of concoction that you might be able to put together yourself though without spending the price they charge($25?). Think it was basically a mixture of peppers and probably a "recipe" you can find with a google search.

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We get lots of the fur covered varmints in our neighborhood, but we also have P-P Park right out back. My next door neighbor has been battling them for several years now as he tries to grow a veggie garden. He brought his own trap, and he releases the captured critters in the park across the Blvd from us. Either they find their way back, or there is just too many of them, but that garden is getting killed.
Before the ground hogs, our biggest pest was the deer. Cute and friendly as they were, they were killing all the vegitation in the park, to the point that parts of our yard and the hill behind us were eroding away every time it rained due to lack of ground cover. Since they've been controlling the herd, the park is fuller than I've ever seen it. Which makes me wonder why the ground hogs have to bother our gardens for food.
Anyway, if you get yourself a trap (Harbor Freight has 'em) just be prepared to find some other four leggers in there as well. My neighbor has caught wild cats, possums, and just the other day, a skunk . A little lesson here: If you catch a skunk in your trap, do not put it in your car and drive it somewhere else to release it! Our neighbor has had his car windows open for three days now, and it is still stinking up the whole block.

Actually, in Pennsylvania, the law is that if you trap a skunk, it needs to be put down. My last employ was over-run with skunks and the animal control company that was used told us about that, which I was suprised.

One guy was sprayed by a trapped skunk. Know what neutralizes the smell? Tomato juice. Something in there neutralizes the stench of the skunk spray.

With the bad economy and all, and the price of meat being high -

Contry-Style Groundhog

When ready to cook, lard according to recipe. Dress groundhog as for rabbit, removing the small sacs in the back and under the forearm. ...

Contry-Style Groundhog
1. 1 groundhog
2. 1/2 c. flour
3. 1/4 tsp. salt
4. 1/4 tsp. pepper
5. 1/4 tsp. soda
6. 1/4 c. cooking oil
7. 1/2 tsp. sugar
NOTE:Clean and skin as soon as possible. Remove all sent glands. Cut off head, feet and tail. Cure in cool place by suspending from hook approximately 4 days. When ready to cook, lard according to recipe.
Dress groundhog as for rabbit, removing the small sacs in the back and under the forearm. Soak groundhog overnight in salted water to remove wild flavor. Combine flour, salt, pepper and sada; rub into groundhog pieces. Brown grounhog in hot oil in skillet; sprinkle with sugar. Reduce heat; add 1/2 cup water. Cover; simmer for about 30 minutes or until tender. Remove cover; cook for 10 minutes longer.
http://www.hevanet.com/refugee/recipe/gndhog.htm

Woodchuck (groundhog) Pie Recipe - BakeSpace's Global Cookbook

Oct 29, 2007 ... The page allows you to review the details of the Woodchuck (groundhog) Pie recipe as it appears in BakeSpace's Global Cookbook.
Woodchuck (groundhog) Pie
added 10/29/07
Recipe Directions & History
Here we call them groundhogs, but parts call them woodchucks, but it is the same critter. Good eatin'!

1 groundhog skinned and cleaned
1/4 cup onion
1/4 cup green pepper
1/2 tablespoon minced parsley
1 tablespoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 1/2 tablespoon flour
3 cups broth

Biscuits:
1 cup flour
2 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoon fat
1/4 cup milk

Cut groundhog into 2 or 3 pieces. Parboil for 1 hour. Remove meat from bones in large pieces. Add onion, green pepper, parsley, salt, pepper, and flour to the broth and srit until it thickens. If the broth does not measure 3 cups, add water. Add the meat to the broth mixture and stir thoroughly. Pour into baking dish.

For biscuits:
sift flour, baking powder, and salt together. Cut in the fat and add the liquid. Stir until the dry ingredients are moist. Roll only enough to make it fit the dish. Place dough on top of meat, put in a hot oven (400 degrees F.) and bake 30 to 40 minutes or until dough is browned.
Serves 6-8.
http://www.bakespace.com/index.php?m...w&lst_id=25017

There ain't many groundhog left in Northwood or Frankford.
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"What is History,' said Napoleon, 'but a fable agreed upon' - Ralph Waldo Emerson - 1848
"A Scottish philosopher once said that history is a set of lies agreed upon." - Enos Abijah Mills - 1920
"Napoleon said history is a set of lies agreed upon" - Modern day authors
"The exact contrary of what is generally believed is often the truth." - Jean de La Bruyère
Napoleon said none of the above. Tell me, what did Napoleon actually say about history?

Mmmmm. Wonder how those recipes would transfer over to say...a rat maybe... Cut everything back by about 1/8 tsp less? Plague-schmague, eat up everyone!!!

I don't know about Plague-schmague, but I have done an extensive rodent survey within this area, and I can assure you Sir, that the rodents have taken control of the rodent population problem in Frankford by eating their young eating the old.

Nothing is safe anymore!

The groundhogs and rats have set up non-profit corporations in Frankford just for such emergencies and are in fact are attempting to take care of the problem.

But this is getting far away from the original posters question.
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__________________
"What is History,' said Napoleon, 'but a fable agreed upon' - Ralph Waldo Emerson - 1848
"A Scottish philosopher once said that history is a set of lies agreed upon." - Enos Abijah Mills - 1920
"Napoleon said history is a set of lies agreed upon" - Modern day authors
"The exact contrary of what is generally believed is often the truth." - Jean de La Bruyère
Napoleon said none of the above. Tell me, what did Napoleon actually say about history?

Though comical, this has turned into quite a sad thread...

Thanks for all the suggestions, although I could have done without the cooking recipe. After all I did say I did not want the groundhog harmed. I've covered my large planter with wire and I'm glad they're not digging in my yard and they don't bother my flowers out front. Thanks again .

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phillydi

I suppose it would be easy to call an exterminator, or to trap them.

Killing them yourself would be even easier by poison or carbon monoxide via a flexible hose to the end of a lawnmower or auto.

Eating them was just a joke, but one never knows.

Click here: Shake-Away Getting Rid of Groundhogs, Naturally
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__________________
"What is History,' said Napoleon, 'but a fable agreed upon' - Ralph Waldo Emerson - 1848
"A Scottish philosopher once said that history is a set of lies agreed upon." - Enos Abijah Mills - 1920
"Napoleon said history is a set of lies agreed upon" - Modern day authors
"The exact contrary of what is generally believed is often the truth." - Jean de La Bruyère
Napoleon said none of the above. Tell me, what did Napoleon actually say about history?