Homemade Garden Groundhog Repellent

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Things You'll Need

  • 1 tbsp. castor oil

  • 1 tbsp. liquid dish soap

  • 1 gallon warm water

  • Spray bottle

  • Ammonia

  • Sponge

  • Shovel

  • Habanero peppers

  • Pie tin

  • Black pepper

Groundhogs are twice as large as the average rabbit.

The groundhog is a common garden pest related to the squirrel. They will consume melon, peas, lettuce and many other garden plants. Their large holes and tunnels also cause aesthetic damage to lawns and gardens.

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Step 1

Pour 1 tbsp. of castor oil into a gallon of warm water. Add 1 tbsp. of liquid dish soap. Shake the gallon of water to incorporate the materials.

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Step 2

Pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray the soil around the plants of your garden, and spray inside any groundhog holes you find until it soaks the soil. Do not spray the mixture onto any edible plants because castor is a poisonous product.

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Step 3

Soak a sponge in household ammonia and drop it into the opening of the groundhog hole. Use a small shovel to fill the hole with soil. You can also fill the hole with whole hot peppers, such as habanero peppers, before closing off the hole with soil.

Step 4

Set out pie tins throughout your garden and leave ammonia-soaked sponges in the tins. Re-soak the sponges once a day to keep the smell sharp.

Step 5

Sprinkle your edible plants with black pepper. Groundhogs dislike the taste. Wash the plants completely before you eat them.

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