Groundhog Removal Long Island, New York

GROUNDHOG (Marmota monax)

Groundhogs, also known as a whistle pigs, or woodchucks are rodents that are in a family of ground squirrels known as marmots. Woodchucks can grow up to 2 1/2 feet in length and weigh 15 pounds. In the wild they can live up to six years, but have an average lifespan of three years. With short powerful limbs and curved thick claws, groundhogs are well equipped for digging deep and extensive burrow systems having two to five entrances. Woodchucks have two coats of fur: a dense grey undercoat and a longer outer coat that is brown in color. Groundhogs prefer open country, meadows, pastures, crop fields and yards that are in close proximity to woodland. Woodchucks are one of the few animals that enter into a true hibernation. Groundhogs dig a separate burrow in a wooded area that it will hibernate in. This winter hibernation burrow is dug below the frost line and temperatures in this burrow remain well above freezing. During hibernation, a groundhog's body temperature drops almost to the air temperature in its burrow and its pulse slows down to about four beats per minute. Groundhog predators include foxes, coyotes, cougars, bears, eagles, bobcats and wolves. They prefer to retreat to their burrows when threatened, but they are also good swimmers and can climb tall trees. They are called whistle pigs, because when they are alarmed they alert the rest of the groundhog colony using a high-pitched whistle. Woodchucks are diurnal and are most active at dawn and dusk eating greens, fruit, bark and occasionally insects, eggs and baby birds. They consume approximately 1/3 of their body weight in vegetation each day. Groundhogs mate in late February, or March and give birth to four or five pups in April, or May. Young groundhogs are referred to as chucklings. Groundhog Day is a traditional holiday originating in the United States that is celebrated on February 2nd. Pennsylvania's official celebration of Groundhog Day began on February 02, 1886. According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then the spring season will arrive early, if it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its den, and there will be six more weeks of winter.

Groundhog Repellents

There are numerous products on the market that claim to get rid of groundhogs. The woodchuck's burrow system is approximately four feet deep, has several entry points and usually extends twenty five feet horizontally. When threatened, the groundhog will retreat to this underground fortress. Groundhog spray repellents, coyote urine, mothballs, ammonia and ultrasonic sound emitting devices, at best may make the groundhogs uncomfortable, but won't convince them to leave their underground bunker. When it comes to groundhog removal and control, repellents are ineffective.

Groundhog Trapping

This is a proven method and the only effective way to get rid of a groundhog and it is the method used by wildlife control operators at Long Island Animal Control Wildlife Removal Services. Knowing what type of groundhog trap to use and what bait to use is largely dependent upon what time of the year it is. The woodchuck trapping techniques that our Long Island groundhog removal wildlife trappers use, is also contingent upon the situation and where the animals are on your premises. The groundhog may have burrowed under the foundation of your home, business, shed, deck or porch. Groundhog removal cost is dependent upon what would be entailed in the removal of the groundhog, or groundhogs. Our wildlife removal experts know what woodchuck trap and what woodchuck bait to use in every situation.

Groundhog Exclusion

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

GROUNDHOG REMOVAL - INSPECTIONS - LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK