Yes, groundhogs are herbivores. They like almost all vegetables in your vegetable garden and many herbs, too. Groundhogs eat all parts of plants.
What is eating the watermelon in my garden?
Animals such as squirrels, chipmunks, deer and woodchucks enjoy puncturing and eating melon crops. Coyotes and domesticated dogs also enjoy biting into sweet melons. Raccoons and birds make holes in the tops of melons and scoop or suck juices from the fruit’s inside.
What fruit will groundhogs eat?
Trees (specifically bark and twigs) like black cherry and dogwood. Vegetation like carrots, celery, corn, peas, and beans. Fruits like berries, cherries and apples.
Will groundhogs eat my plants?
Groundhogs can cause real problems for home vegetable and flower gardeners. They eat almost any plant material and are especially fond of tomatoes. Annuals fill the garden with flowers and fragrance from early spring until fall’s first frost.
What is the best bait for catching a groundhog?
Expert Baiting Tips
In Havahart® field tests, cantaloupe was the best bait for attracting groundhogs and woodchucks. Cut cantaloupe into 2″ cubes, and rub the cantaloupe juice and rind throughout the inside and outside of the trap. Set the trap with some of the fruit in the position indicated above.
What animal eats watermelon plants?
Raccoons and deer also like watermelons, particularly as the fruit becomes ripe. Damage inflicted by these animals usually is less extensive than the handiwork of coyotes.
How do I protect my watermelon plants?
Coolong stresses that the best way to protect vines is to turn them back in drive rows. Watermelon fields are set up in several groups of five or six beds that are divided by larger drive rows, which make the vines accessible by farm equipment.
What do groundhogs eat watermelon?
Groundhogs are herbivores. They like almost all vegetables in your vegetable garden and many herbs, too. Groundhogs eat all parts of plants. In addition to vegetables, they also like fruits, including apples and pears, Watermelons are a favorite meal.
What 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 groundhog’s favorite food?
Favorite foods include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lettuce, broccoli, plantain, and soybeans. Groundhogs will often devour your seedlings before they even have time to grow. Rabbits and deer eat some of the same plants, so make sure to check for burrows before concluding that you have groundhogs.
What veggies will groundhogs not eat?
HERB GARDEN
Catmint (Nepeta catarina) Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) Geranium, Citronella (Pelargonium citro- sum) Lavender (Lavandula sp.) Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Thyme (Thymus sp.) Wormwood (Artemisia sp.)
Will groundhogs eat my tomato plants?
Do Groundhogs Eat Tomatoes & Tomato Plants? Yes, groundhogs definitely eat tomatoes! While they do eat tomatoes, they generally won’t eat the tomato plant itself.
How do I protect my plants from groundhogs?
Block them out. Surround your garden or yard with wire fencing that is at least 3 feet tall and goes at least 12 inches underground. Groundhogs won’t be able to climb it, and if they run into it underground, they’ll be forced to stop tunneling and to go elsewhere to set up camp.
What does Epsom salt do to a groundhog?
Groundhogs tend to hate the taste of Epsom salt. The Epsom salt won’t do anything harmful to a groundhog, as it’s a natural product. It will just work to drive away the groundhog if you sprinkle it around the perimeter of your garden.
What time of day are groundhogs most active?
Groundhog Behavior
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.
What is the best time of day to trap a groundhog?
Groundhogs are diurnal creatures and most active during the morning and late afternoon. Disengage a set trap during evening hours to prevent catching an unwanted critter. Groundhogs avoid humans and will avoid a trap if it carries human scent.
What pest eats watermelon leaves?
Cucumber beetles are some of the most damaging watermelon pests you can have. They are about a half-inch long with three black stripes running down their yellow wings. The beetles will lay eggs in the soil, and once they hatch, they’ll feed on the roots, stems, and foliage of watermelon plants.
What plants should not be planted near watermelon?
The best plants to companion with watermelons are herbs, lettuces, marigolds, nasturtiums, and radishes. Avoid planting cucumbers, squash, and potatoes near watermelons to help reduce the risk of pests.
Should you water watermelon plants everyday?
Watermelons do not need water every single day. Only consider watering your watermelons daily when temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C). Watering 1–2 times per week works well as long as temperatures are below 90°F. Try to keep the soil moist to a depth of 12 inches (30 cm) at all times.
Will squirrels eat my watermelon plants?
and tree squirrels (Sciurus spp.) are common pests for many gardeners, and can damage garden plants such as watermelons (Citrullus lanatus), which are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 11. Squirrels will eat vegetables in the seedling stage and may chew watermelon vines.
What should I put under my watermelons?
In order to grow great watermelons, you’ll need to put a barrier between the watermelons and the ground. This is to reduce the risk of rot and disease. Good ground barriers are straw, or even cardboard.