Groundhog Removal Nassau County, Long Island

Groundhogs / Woodchucks - Nassau County, Long Island

Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, or whistle pigs are rodents that are in a family of ground squirrels known as marmots. Adult groundhogs are sixteen to twenty inches long and can weigh as much as fifteen pounds. In the wild, woodchucks can live up to six years with two or three years being average. Woodchuck burrows generally contain 2 to 5 entrance holes, each about 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Groundhogs often hide these holes by digging them underneath vegetation and/or loosely covering them up with leaves and sticks. Having short powerful appendages and curved thick claws, woodchucks are well equipped for excavating deep and extensive burrow systems with nearby cover such as hedgerows, trees, beside structures or home foundations. Groundhog burrows have been known to extend sixty six feet throughout their tunnels and chambers, and as deep as five feet below the surface. The dens of groundhogs often provide shelter for other animals including red fox, skunks, opossums and rabbits. Groundhogs have two coats of fur: a dense grey undercoat and a longer outer coat that is brown in color. Groundhogs inhabit open country, well-drained open woods, fields, pastures, meadows and the edges of woodland, and is seldom far from a burrow entrance. Groundhogs are one of the few mammals that enter into a true hibernation. Woodchucks dig a separate burrow in a wooded area that it will hibernate in during October and emerge from in early spring. Male groundhogs emerge from hibernation before females. The groundhog’s winter hibernation burrow is excavated below the frost line and temperatures in this burrow remain well above freezing. During hibernation, a woodchuck’s body temperature drops almost to the air temperature in its hibernation burrow and its pulse slows down to approximately four beats per minute. Hawks, owls and rattlesnakes eat groundhog pups. Other groundhog predators include eagles, foxes, coyotes, cougars, wolves, lynx, bears, bobcats and domestic dogs. Groundhogs would rather seek refuge in their burrows when threatened, but they can also climb trees and are good swimmers. Groundhogs are also called whistle pigs, because when they are alarmed they alert the rest of the woodchuck colony using a high-pitched whistle. Groundhogs are diurnal animals that are most active at dawn and dusk consuming greens, bark, fruit and sometimes insects, eggs and baby birds. Groundhogs consume approximately 1/3 of their body weight in greens each day and gorge themselves all summer to build up plentiful fat reserves. Woodchucks mate in late February, or March and give birth to four or five woodchuck pups in April, or May. Groundhog pups are referred to as chucklings. Groundhog Day is a popular traditional holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2nd. Groundhog Day originated in Punxsutawney Pennsylvania on February 02, 1886. According to superstition, if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat back into its burrow and winter will persist for six more weeks, and if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.

Groundhog Removal Nassau County, New York

Groundhog Inspection - This is the initial step in the groundhog removal process. Nassau County Animal removal wildlife trappers will inspect your property to determine what type of animal is inhabiting it. Evidence of groundhogs on your premises may include:

* Mounds of soil outside burrow entrances.
* Deep holes in the ground or lawn averaging eight inches in diameter.
* 1/4" - 3/4" wide teeth marks on lower branches of trees.
* Damaged gardens, or crops
* Gnawed wires, tubing, or irrigation systems.
* Weakened foundation - Groundhog burrows can undermine home and building foundations.
* Groundhog tracks - Five toes on the front feet and four on the back.

Animal Removal | Groundhog | New York | NY | Prints

Groundhog Repellents - There are a countless number of products that can be purchased online and at hardware stores that claim to get rid of woodchucks. The groundhog’s burrow system is about four to five feet deep, has numerous entry points and normally extends twenty five feet horizontally. When threatened, the woodchuck will retreat to this underground fortress. Groundhog spray repellents, ammonia, predator urine, mothballs and ultrasonic devices, at best may make the woodchuck uncomfortable, but will not convince them to leave their underground bunker. When it comes to groundhog removal and control in Nassau County, repellents are not an effective method.

Groundhog Trapping - This is a proven technique and is the only effective way to get rid of groundhogs. Groundhog trapping is the method used by Nassau County Animal Removal wildlife control operators. Knowing what type of whistle pig trap to use and what bait to use is largely dependent upon what time of the year it is. The groundhog trapping techniques that our Nassau County groundhog removal wildlife trappers use, is also dependent upon the situation and where the animals are on your property. The woodchuck may have burrowed under the foundation of your Nassau County home, business, shed, deck or porch. The wildlife control operators at Nassau County Animal Removal know what groundhog trap and what groundhog bait to use in every situation.

Groundhog Exclusion - This is the last step in the groundhog removal and control process. Upon completion of the groundhog removal, we will send out a licensed Nassau County contractor to give you a free estimate on any repairs that need to be done to your Nassau County, Long Island home, or business to keep groundhogs out. Our wildlife control experts will suggest any modifications that can be made to your home, or business to prevent future encounters with groundhogs, or unwanted wildlife.