N
Luxe Prestige Chronicle

what do groundhogs hate

Author

Sarah Scott

Updated on May 14, 2026

Ammonia: A rag soaked with ammonia placed near the entrance of a groundhog’s hole acts as a giant “Keep Away” sign. Other strong scents groundhogs don’t like include talcum powder and garlic.

What smell do groundhogs hate the most?

Their sensitive noses can’t handle the pungent smell. Lavender – Try planting some lavender around the garden. While it smells lovely to us, groundhogs find it offensive and avoid the areas where it is. They also dislike the smell of these herbs: basil, chives, lemon balm, mint, sage, thyme, rosemary, and oregano.

What is the best way to get rid of groundhogs?

How to Get Rid of Groundhogs
Sprinkle blood meal, ground black pepper, dried blood, or talcum powder around the perimeter of your garden. Puree and strain hot peppers and garlic, mix them with water and enough liquid soap to make it stick, and spray it liberally around the garden.

What is the best repellent for groundhogs?

Groundhog Repellents/Deterrents We Reviewed
I Must Garden Groundhog Repellent.Rabbit and Groundhog OUT.ELLASSAY Ultrasonic Mole Repellent.Exterminator’s Choice Rodent Defense Small Animal Repellent and Deterrent.Bonide Animal Repellent Granules.

Will vinegar keep groundhogs away?

Vinegar alone can’t deter groundhogs from entering your garden or backyard. This is because vinegar can’t create a pungent smell which will keep the groundhogs away from the premises.

Will Epsom salts deter groundhogs?

Epsom salts can be sprinkled around the perimeter of gardens to repel groundhogs. You can also sprinkle the salts near the burrow. 3 Ammonia-soaked rags strewn along the garden perimeter form a stinky barrier, but rain washes away both these smells, necessitating reapplication.

Do mothballs keep groundhogs away?

For whatever reason, groundhogs don’t care about mothballs. When poured down a burrow, they just dig them out and they get buried in the dirt. In a garden, the animals continue to eat crops right next to mothballs. They just don’t care.

Does Irish spring soap keep groundhogs away?

For years, Irish Spring’s soap has been shaved and sprinkled in flower beds to keep animals away, but you need to keep an eye on the area as rain and watering will wash it away quickly.

Do groundhogs hate onions?

Things like garlic, black pepper, onion, mustard, and hot sauce can be used to deter groundhogs from your yard and garden.

What poison kills groundhogs?

Fumigation is a method under which gaseous pesticides or fumigants are used in the entire area to suffocate or poison the groundhogs within. The most widely used and preferred fumigant is Methyl Bromide.

How do I get rid of a groundhog under my house?

Mix together some ammonia and water, using one part ammonia to every three parts water. Next, add a few drops of non-bleach dish detergent. Then, you simply pour the mixture into the groundhog burrow entrances. The smell of the ammonia should drive the groundhogs away.

How do I keep groundhogs from digging under my shed?

Discourage groundhogs from returning
Pour ammonia around your shed and in any holes they’ve dug. Place lawn windmills, windchimes, or a vibrating sonic device near your shed. Adopt a dog or cat and encourage them to spend time sniffing around the shed.Spread human scent around your yard with hair clippings.

Will peppermint keep groundhogs away?

These products can often have a strong chemical scent and have substances like ammonia or mothballs as a base, while other repellents will have a strong peppermint scent, which is also said to drive away problem animals such as groundhogs.

Do groundhogs come out at night?

Activity: Groundhogs are diurnal (active during the day) from spring to fall. Most activity occurs during the early morning and early evening hours, at which groundhogs emerge from their burrows to gather food.

How do you keep groundhogs out of raised beds?

Buy chicken wire (at least six feet tall) and five-foot posts. Bury the wire twelve inches deep to prevent tunneling. Attach the fencing to the posts except for the top foot. Bend that away from your garden to keep groundhogs from climbing over it.