The marmot, also called whistling in Quebec because of its shrill call, is particularly fond of residential and community gardens. She does not hesitate to use it as a pantry which can become a real inconvenience for gardeners.
Using its sturdy legs with very sharp claws, this burrowing animal digs your land to build its burrow and some tunnels which causes, in the long term, considerable damage. It is not uncommon for significant erosion to be triggered in this way on fragile ground.
So the groundhog is not necessarily a companion of choice, but is it really an extreme nuisance?
Find out more about this burrowing mammal that is widespread in the province.
The groundhog: an unwanted animal?
The groundhog, as charming as it is, ravages land and vegetable garden which causes a lot of inconvenience. Many farmers consider this animal a pest since it disrupts haymaking work.
The groundhog can also:
- Invade a territory in a few years since litters can reach up to 9 young per year;
- digging up to 400 hectares of burrows on a piece of land and thus bringing other unwanted animals;
- Cause significant erosion of your land.
If this rodent settles in your backyard, it is therefore better to eliminate its presence to ensure that you keep your land in good condition and benefit from a good harvest from your vegetable garden.
Do not think that you must exterminate it at all costs! Yes, you can hire an exterminator, but the exterminator will safely capture the animal. He will relocate it far enough so that he does not return to your land.
Physical description of the groundhog
The marmot is characterized by its stocky body, flattened head and small round ears. Its weight varies between 2 and 8 kilograms, and its total length can reach 65 centimeters.
This burrowing mammal is distinguished by its black, brown or brown coat as well as its short legs with 4 fingers each. The hind legs include 5 fingers each.
The groundhog’s claws are known to be powerful and vigorous. This is what allows him to easily dig the earth.
It is very easy to recognize a groundhog, but more difficult to differentiate a male from a female.
Groundhog life cycle
The breeding season in marmots occurs between March and April. The female needs 28 to 32 days to give birth to her young. A litter can have between 2 and 6 marmots. These will stay one to two months in the burrow before going outside during the month of July.
In the wild, a groundhog’s lifespan is 14 to 16 years if it can find sufficient food sources and avoid its main predators.
Its most common means of defense remains the escape with the emission of its piercing call that warns its congeners.
Lifestyle habits of the groundhog
When not hibernating or breeding, the groundhog is foraging or basking in the sun. It is known to love warm earth or smooth rocks.
The hibernation period runs from mid-October to March. The animal makes sure to block the access to its burrow from the inside for safe hibernation.
It will then live in slow motion during these few months and will lose about 30% of its total weight. The rhythm of his heartbeat will decrease and his body temperature will drop to about 7 degrees. However, if the temperature underground drops to less than 3°C, the groundhog will wake up to activate so as not to freeze to death.
What damage does the groundhog cause?
A groundhog can become a major source of major damage to your property.
Indeed, it can:
- weaken the soil of your property due to the construction of its burrow and tunnels;
- ruin cultivable areas if it builds its burrow there;
- devour your vegetable garden in a single night and destroy your crop;
- chew away at the bark of trees and shrubs and thus damage them;
- leave piles of earth all over the ground;
- cause gaping holes on your property due to its underground constructions.
This is why the marmot is frequently considered a pest. To get rid of it, you can try to capture it, but be aware that an experienced exterminator could help you effectively.
How to detect the presence of a marmot?
This burrowing mammal is a master in the art of hiding place. It can easily live on your land in the suburbs or in the city without you noticing its presence. In the fall, it is easier to notice the presence of a groundhog on your property since you clean it of fallen leaves and pay more attention to the soil. However, if you have a vegetable garden, her visit is much more obvious during the summer, because she is very greedy and can eat a row of cauliflowers in just one night! She particularly looks for vegetables, including cabbage, lettuce, cucumbers, squash, beets, peas, beans and spinach. Not sure if it’s a groundhog? Ask a pest management company.
Keep marmots away from your property effectively
Forget the famous soft drink bottle trick filled with water! No, the groundhog will not leave your garden in panic if it sees its reflection in this bottle. To scare this unwanted animal, here are some tips to put in place:
- Place a scented soap in the garden;
- Tie aluminum plates to a rope so that they move in the wind;
- Apply natural repellents such as coyote urine;
- Place an owl or plastic snake in the vegetable garden;
- Sprinkle the soil with ground pepper or ground hot peppers;
- Install an automatic sprinkler with motion detector;
- Let the radio play very loud outside.
The best way to make sure the groundhog doesn’t come back is to change these items every 10 to 12 days. A plastic snake for 10 days, then a scented soap! You will see that the rodent will no longer know which foot to dance on and will identify the place as a danger zone.
Do you find it complex or too long to set up these tips? Instead, opt for the services of a professional exterminator who can capture the animal and relocate it.
At first glance, the groundhog may look pretty and harmless, but it can become a very unpleasant nuisance. Thanks to our tips listed above, you are now well equipped to deal with this formidable rodent!
