Well, today I saw a groundhog

[conuly]

And then tonight as I took out the trash I saw where it's evidently been burrowing, a big hole directly under the retaining wall to our yard.

Now what?

Comments

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Depends on whether you want to live with it or get rid of it. Bear in mind that they can be pesky, but wildlife has dwindling places to live.

https://discover.hubpages.com/animals/whatdogroundhogseat

https://www.thespruce.com/groundhog-damage-in-yard-2131141

Re: Well ...

[conuly]

We can’t have it burrowing under that wall. If the wall goes, all the yard goes crashing to the street.

Re: Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Pouring used kitty litter down the hole is worth trying. That often makes them leave.

Some people have had luck with trapping them, but you'd have to drive it a long way to ensure it couldn't wander back.

Re: Well ...

[conuly]

I like it, and if it weren't an active hazard I wouldn't care that much about it being in our yard at all.

We do have an ample supply of kitty litter and hot rodent-aversion sauce, we can try both of thsoe.

Re: Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I like it, and if it weren't an active hazard I wouldn't care that much about it being in our yard at all.<<

My bet is the groundhog found the wall a sign of soil stability. If you have other parts of the yard that are stable (e.g. under a fallen tree, near a boulder) that aren't either your retaining wall or under a building, then it might be possible to encourage the groundhog to move there. But if that wall is the "best" location, you'll probably have to evict him altogether.

>> We do have an ample supply of kitty litter and hot rodent-aversion sauce, we can try both of thsoe.<<

I hope it works out for you.

Re: Well ...

[conuly]

It won't be so stable when it falls on his head!

[malinaldarose]

I have been putting cayenne pepper around the holes I can reach, but I'm going to try the kitty litter thing when I change the boxes tomorrow evening.

[jessie_c]

Watch for Bill Murray sightings.

[magid]

::laugh::

[jhetley]

I have live-trapped groundhogs (and squirrels, and skunks, and a neighbor's cat). You may be able to get your local version of Fish and Wildlife to deal with it, or Animal Control. I'll note that our local Animal Control only deals with domestic animals.

[conuly]

That's not a half-bad idea.

[rebeccmeister]

Someone who had groundhogs near me said that somehow or another Irish Spring Soap tends to repel them. I have not yet experimented with that claim myself. Good luck with it all!

[ethelmay]

It's either that, or the groundhog starts swishing around saying "Manly, yes, but I like it too," in an accent not even worthy to be called Stage Oirish.

[magid]

::gigglesnort::

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

This works to repel deer as well

[conuly]

I didn't realize deer burrowed! Wow, TIL.

[sporks5000.livejournal.com]

You hang it from the lower branches on young trees and it reduces the likelihood that the deer will rub their antlers on them (and damage the tree in the process)

[adafrog]

Uh oh.

[low_delta]

I like it, and if it weren't an active hazard I wouldn't care that much about it being in our yard at all.

That's always the problem with groundhogs. Even if they aren't creating dangerous situations, they're likely doing a lot of damage. My neighbor stopped killing chipmunks because he felt bad, but still says he'd shoot a groundhog if he saw one.

[chez_jae]

They can be pretty destructive. Live trap and relocate?