Groundhogs, also called woodchucks, don’t actually chuck wood. They can wreak havoc on your landscaping, though.
How to identify groundhogs
Groundhogs are large rodents in the squirrel family, and yes, they can climb trees. In Northern Illinois they usually have yellowish to reddish brown fur, short rounded ears and yellowish front teeth. Adults can weigh up to 11 pounds.
Habits and lifestyle
Groundhogs are active during the day. They eat grasses, wildflowers and clover, plus garden crops like carrots, celery, corn and beans. Coming out of hibernation they’ll eat bark, buds and twigs. They typically hibernate from October until March or April.
Why it matters
Groundhogs aren’t an immediate health hazard, but they carry parasites and other diseases. They get into gardens and landscaping, and they burrow under garages, sheds and decks, moving a lot of dirt as they go.
How we handle groundhogs
We’re licensed, highly trained nuisance wildlife professionals. We remove groundhogs humanely, then find and seal the way in so the next one can’t follow. See animal trapping and animal proofing for how that works. Burrow closure and perimeter screening stop them from digging back in.