[Garden] Groundhog day

[J. Rochon]

Gardeners,
                 Here are a few suggestions for non-violent ground hog 
control.

Option #1 simply entails installing pinwheels or other devices around 
garden areas to frighten groundhogs away (groundhogs are timid, and the 
motion will bother them).

Option #2 Epsom salts can be sprinkled on the vegetation and fruits of 
your garden plants to render them foul-tasting to groundhogs. The good 
news about this strategy is that Epsom salts will also help some of your 
garden plants to grow better. But the bad news is that rain will wash 
off the Epsom salts, meaning that you will need to make repeated 
applications. Another strategy that suffers from the same drawback is 
discouraging groundhogs with foul-smelling agents such as ammonia. 
Ammonia-soaked rags can be strewn along the perimeter of your garden, 
forming a stinky barrier to repel groundhogs. But even ammonia's smell 
fades eventually and a re-application will be necessary.

Option #3 (the one we are trying) Fences such as chicken-wire fences can 
provide a more permanent solution to your groundhog pest problem. Be 
aware of two factors, however: groundhogs can climb *over* your fences, 
and groundhogs can tunnel *under* your fences. To discourage the former, 
make your fences 3'-4' high. To foil tunneling 
<http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/wildlife/g09452.htm> 
attempts, the University of Missouri Extension advises:

"The buried portion of the fence should be bent at a 90-degree angle, 1 
foot below the surface, with the bottom of the fence pointing away from 
the garden. This design discourages burrowing if it is started at the 
fence line."

#4 Castor Oil


On the other hand, I'm told if you mix one ounce of castor oil with 10 
ounces of water you'll deter all kinds of pests. According to the 
castor-oil company in the U.S. the castor oil does not kill the pests, 
they simply do not like the smell of it and avoid the area. In one 
study, not only did the rodents stay away, but rabbits, squirrels, 
groundhogs, raccoons and skunks also stayed away. I have not tried this 
(the twenty foot square garden does not have groundhogs or enough soil 
depth for them to live here) so I can't offer any support to this product.

Read more: http://www.beginner-gardening.com/groundhogs.html#ixzz0O5HbfrR2

*Scent Deterrents:*

    * Make a small pouch out of a nylon stocking or an onion bag and
      place some dog hair in it. Attach this to a small stick and place
      in and around your garden. The groundhog will think a predator is
      near.
    * Sprinkle dry blood meal around target plants to trick the
      groundhog into thinking a predator is close by.

*Taste Deterrents:*

    * Plant garlic, onion and/or marigolds near the plants you would
      like to protect or sprinkle garlic and onion powder on those
      plants for a similar effect.
    * You can also sprinkle talcum powder on or near the plants as
      groundhogs dislike this taste.
    * Plant a patch of clover or alfalfa to lure them away from your
      desired plants.

And my favourite You can buy commercial repellents to keep groundhogs 
out of your garden, but a homemade one that works well is 1 tbs. hot 
sauce mixed into 1 gallon water. Spray the mixture directly onto the 
plants. You can also spray it along the perimeter of the garden. 
MMmmmm.... hot sauce.


-- 
-----------------------
Jason Rochon
Campus Tech 
(519) 888-4567 X33518

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