There is a species of digging rodent that can destroy your property before you ever realize there’s a problem. The groundhog, also called the woodchuck, belongs to the marmot, or ground squirrel family, and they happen to be the largest one. Chubby and funny-looking, these critters may have gained goodwill with humans because of Punxsutawney Phil, but if you’ve ever had to deal with the non-celebrity groundhogs then you know what a major headache they can cause.
They are one of few animals that are true hibernators, they fatten themselves up during the warmer months and then sleep for almost three months when the weather turns cold. During this time, their heart rate can slow to a mere five beats per minute, and their temperature drops over 60 degrees. This is amazing when you consider that humans enter the first stages of hypothermia after a 3° drop, pass out at 82°, and may die under 70°.
They have long tails; between 7 and 10 inches and sharp front claws they use to burrow deep into the ground and create tunnels that can reach about 70 feet. Adults typically connect up to four or five rooms that are used for socializing, sleeping, and going to the bathroom. By the time they wake up when the weather warms, they are ready to start chewing on everything they can get their claws on. With teeth that can grow up to 1/16th of inch weekly, they have to gnaw on things hard enough to grind them down. This prevents the incisors from growing too large and causing health issues.
When standing on their hind legs, they can reach up to about 2 feet, and resemble a little bear. This explains the mouse bear nickname, but what about whistle-pig moniker? That came from a combination of their somewhat piglike appearance combined with the distinct high-pitched noises the critters make.
If groundhogs get onto your property, it is suggested to get professional assistance to get rid of them as soon as possible. Because they are such avid burrowers, they can very quickly cause structural damage to your home’s foundation as well as the lawn. If you have a deck or patio and one of these diggers manages to tear up the ground underneath, it can cause the structure to shift and even collapse. The digging may not be the worst of the damage because they can also chew through electrical wiring, water pipes, and irrigation systems, leading to costly repairs.
For years we've been helping our neighbors in Northern Illinois, and the surrounding areas get annoying and invasive wildlife off their property, like groundhogs, and take measures to keep them off. Our experts are on hand to discuss your wildlife issues and help provide efficient solutions as quickly as possible.
Contact us today for more information or to set up an estimate.
