The enemy....or fertilizer! UPDATE...MORE TROUBLE!

Post by **Chris_W** » Jun 18, 2008 6:02 pm

Most animlas I can live with, but this is not one of them. I apologize to those who might be offended by this, but I vote for fertilizer

dmi188 · Post by **dmi188** » Jun 18, 2008 7:30 pm

We have SOOOO many huge holes in our yard, plus that is what Van Wade credited with the growth of his huge S&S...groundhog buried under it! We saw this one, and 2 smaller groundhogs in the yard today. They must go!!

addieotto · Post by **addieotto** » Jun 18, 2008 7:55 pm

When I see that I feel a tiny bit better about my smaller sized problem.

I have no idea what I would do with a critter as large as my cat.

Carol W · Post by **Carol W** » Jun 18, 2008 8:08 pm

I vote for fertilizer too! And after being nice for so many year of live trapping moving them out to the woods far away like miles... and I'm not sure but I swear they found their way back. I've now bomb the holes killing them while they are in it...then the next day cover the holes up. Cost about $4. for a 4 pack at Mernades.

Carol W · Post by **Carol W** » Jun 18, 2008 8:14 pm

Sue that's amazing pictures. I've never seen any of this happening with my hostas but often find dead ones being offered as gifts for feeding and taking care of from the outside stray cats.

Nathalie23 · Post by **Nathalie23** » Jun 18, 2008 10:07 pm

I don't know what king of animal this is...

Can someone tell me? It's look like marmot but I don't think this is one

jgh · Post by **jgh** » Jun 18, 2008 11:02 pm

I believe we use the names woodchuck and groundhog interchangably for this creature -and I think it either is the same as a marmot, or first cousin...

can't speak for sure about its value as fertilizer... the one I gave a case of lead poisoning to last week with my pellet gun went out of sight - perhaps it simply decided to relocate to a warmer climate...

HostaDesigner · Post by **HostaDesigner** » Jun 18, 2008 11:24 pm

Lock 'n load!!

(cha-click)

No sympathy for these either.

addieotto · Post by **addieotto** » Jun 19, 2008 12:45 am

Carol,

This evening I had one left on my kitchen floor by one of the resident dogs or cats. As I said - I can't really imagine having a pest that was so big it could beat up my pets!

I would have freaked out a lot more tonight than I did over a little vole!

Mental note: Don't move to sections of country with big giant digging rodents are backyard pests.

Carol W · Post by **Carol W** » Jun 19, 2008 1:06 am

addieotto wrote: Mental note: Don't move to sections of country with big giant digging rodents are backyard pests.

Sue

But I've seen what damage they can do to even a large dog who think they will take it on! Vet bills!!!

Diana · Post by **Diana** » Jun 19, 2008 1:31 am

We had woodchucks back in Illinois when I was doing a vegetable garden. We set out have-a-heart traps and got six racoons and a skunk. We put some nasty stuff down the woodchuck hole. They would peel the silk down on an ear of corn (rendering it useless), they take a bite out of a tomato and toss it. I love animals, but when they mess with my food, all bets were off. We got some bear traps and told the neighbors to keep their pets inside for a few nights. All we got were some sprung traps with fur attached. They were too smart. So we moved to California!!!

caliloo · Post by **caliloo** » Jun 19, 2008 6:30 am

I can loan you Diva the woodchuck eradicating dog. SHe has killed 2 babies and an adult so far this spring. It was quite the battle with the big one, it was so heavy she couldn't easily lift it to shake it. THe babies (about a foot long) were done in a couple of shakes.

I feel for you though, they can be quite destuctive.

Alexa

dmi188 · Post by **dmi188** » Jun 19, 2008 8:53 am

Alexa, I'll take the dog! We'll be in your area in about a week!

Yes, every year we have tomatos with one bite out. Last year we started fencing the veggie garden. DH hit one with an arrow about a month ago. It ran off with the arrow out both sides.

playinmud · Post by **playinmud** » Jun 19, 2008 9:29 am

I'll opt for fertilizer any day of the week!

We also call them whistle pigs. If you whistle at them they'll stand up on their back legs and look for the whistle.

One of those measley varmits waited for my broccoli to head up and then ate every single one. I was furious!! I chased him down and walloped him with a stick. Freaked me out when the doggone thing let out a blood curdling scream!!

He ran away and never came into my yard again. My nieces and nephew were in awe of me for weeks, they didn't know their old aunt (I was probably 30 at the time) could run that fast. LOL!

Hostahaveum · Post by **Hostahaveum** » Jun 19, 2008 11:27 am

Find his den & dump used kitty litter in it; he will move ...hopefully far away

jgh · Post by **jgh** » Jun 19, 2008 11:44 am

"Find his den & dump used kitty litter in it; he will move ...hopefully far away"

I'll be darned... thought I'd heard all the folk remedies... that is a new one on me...

I guess I wouldn't want to use it around my roses

but maybe in the back 40 that might be a free varmint repellent similar to using coyote urine and such...

dmi188 · Post by **dmi188** » Jun 19, 2008 11:50 am

Well, I don't have a cat, does that really work???
There are about a dozen holes in my yard, and my sisters next door. Some are big enough, my pug almost fell in!

newtohosta-no more · Post by **newtohosta-no more** » Jun 19, 2008 7:05 pm

Yep...we call them groundhogs, but I have heard some around here refer to them as whistlepigs. Those darn critters can destroy several rows of beans in no time flat! Grrrrr

Carol W · Post by **Carol W** » Jun 19, 2008 7:59 pm

Hostahaveum wrote:Find his den & dump used kitty litter in it; he will move ...hopefully far away

Yes I tried that too and it didn't work. They just sent it flying out of the hole!

Really pick up the bomb thingys or a gun or Alexa dog by the way a nice looking one at that!