Woodchuck Description

• Woodchucks, or groundhogs, are a type of marmot commonly found around the edges of heavily vegetated forests as well as fence rows and hillsides. These animals have brown fur and grow between 16 and 27 inches in length. Average adult woodchuck weight is between 4 to 15 lbs. They are the largest member of the squirrel family and make their homes by burrowing around a tree root system, building or stone wall. Food sources include soft-stem grasses, leaves, vegetables, fruit, animal eggs, grasshoppers, snails and flowers, including sunflowers.
  
  

Sunflower Description

• Sunflowers are a type of yellow flower that can grow up to 20 feet in height. There are several varieties of sunflower, ranging from small to giant sizes, all of which feature seeds with a color spectrum of dark brown to black or gray with white stripes. The seeds are surrounded by bright-yellow petals, with larger varieties featuring one flower per stalk. Some varieties feature smaller flowers further down on the stalk in addition to the main flower.
  
  

Health Concerns

• In addition to damaging your prized sunflowers, woodchucks in your garden present additional problems as they are often carry fleas, ticks and lice, which poses problems for pets. Woodchucks may also have scabies or even rabies, another health concern for pets and small children. Unknowingly stepping on a woodchuck hole or burrow can also lead to physical injury. Woodchucks feeding on your sunflowers that make burrows underneath your home may result in issues with your home's foundation, sidewalks and water drainage issues.
  
  

Control

• Keep woodchucks out of your garden and away from your sunflowers with chicken-wire fencing that is at least 6 feet high. Bury the fence at least 10 inches below ground to prevent burrowing activity. Other woodchuck deterrents include spraying predator urine, such as coyote or fox urine, around the perimeter of sunflower gardens, or scattering human hair around affected areas. Undiluted hot sauce, red pepper flakes and allowing your pet dog to spend some time near your sunflowers may also work for woodchuck control.