Groundhogs belong to the class of rodents ‘Sciuridae’ that are closely related to squirrels known as a marmot. They are low land creatures mostly found in warm countries. They are not dangerous animals but can be harmful to some extent. They are a great threat of land and can damage the soil. Additionally, they are hard to get rid of.
Bleach to get rid of groundhogs
Bleach emits a powerful chlorine-ammonium scent that scares groundhogs off. Moreover, if they get contact with it they may go through skin burning, rashes or if they taste, it may result in gastric lining or causing stomach discomfort dehydration; therefore bleach works as a potential repellent.
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Groundhogs are likely large ground squirrels that are widely known as also known as woodchucks. Though they are not that aggressive but can scratch with their shovel-like claws. They are small creatures but can be a big hassle for your yard. They can damage the foundation and water line of your home by digging, make soil loose, tear tree roots, damage flower beds, attract fleas and ticks, and bring out dirt. They carry various hazardous diseases like lyme, powassan and even rabies.
So, it’s really necessary to deter them if you find them in your garden. To deter groundhogs, bleach can be an effective solution. Its chlorine-ammonium kind of smell is harmful for them and it signals danger to their nerves to leave the place. In fact, the toxic components of bleach can cause serious health damage if they consume it. However, use caution when using bleach as a groundhog repellent because it is a potent chemical that could cause harm if contacted with an outdoor surface.
Bleach produce a strong chlorine odor:
Groundhogs’ smelling abilities are diminished as a result of the chlorine smell that bleach emits when it is spread around. As a result, the groundhogs are unable to call other mates or search for food by using their smell because the bleach solution masks the chemical they release. As a result, bleach is an efficient groundhog deterrent, but because it has corrosive properties in general, using too much of it might result in nasal nerve blindness.
Groundhogs are distracted by the scent of bleach, which decreases their ability to smell, which keeps them away from residential areas. The best option is to keep bleach in their burrows; doing so will stop groundhogs from entering your home in the future.
When consumed, it induces a reaction:
Because bleach is caustic, it will react with the moist surfaces of groundhogs, potentially damaging their gastric lining or causing stomach discomfort that will make them throw up and have diarrhea. In addition to deterring groundhogs from particular regions, bleach has corrosive effects on them due to its acidic taste, which can harm their teeth and oral cavity if it gets into their mouths.
If bleach comes into close contact with the groundhogs, it may also leave a lesion on their body surface. Therefore, bleach can be used to scare them away, but only after considering its negative consequences, which may also injure other animals. Because bleach is a chemical repellent, it works more effectively than natural repellents.
Bleach can deter groundhogs for a very long time, but it must be used frequently because how and how often it is used determines how successful it is as a deterrent. If groundhogs approach it, bleach can lead to sores in their skin, scaring them away.
Does bleach terminate groundhogs?
Initially groundhogs are herbivores that mostly eat green grass, weeds, herbs and leaves. Their favorite food is low-land fruits or berries that they can easily get. Usually they dig big burrows that can damage the structure of the house. They not only damage the soil but also damage the roots of the trees, munch fruits and berries and make it worse. This problematic creature should be eradicated from the garden as early as possible. Bleach can work as magic to terminate groundhogs to great extent by scaring them off.
Bleach can terminate groundhogs well but it’s not a permanent solution. It actually doesn’t eliminate them but it can make them go through a lot. The overpowering aroma of bleach can reduce their smelling power and can distract them. When they come into contact with this harmful substance, they feel a burning sensation. If they taste it, they can experience stomach disturbance, dehydration, dry throats and also their teeth and oral cavity can be damaged. So, find it as vulnerable or the place where it’s placed and maintain a distance.
How effective is bleach in repelling groundhogs?
Groundhogs are harmful to the garden that can make it unsightly and dirty within a few days if precautionary measures are not taken against them. Groundhogs are easily deterred by anything that tastes or smells bad. Because bleach has chlorine in it and has a strong flavor and smell, it works well as a repellent for groundhogs. Besides, Because bleach might harm an animal’s airways or induce chemical reactions if consumed by it, it is always effective at keeping groundhogs out of people’s yards.
It can be applied to garden areas or other areas where groundhogs are most likely to reside. When groundhogs come into contact with bleach, it will begin to act as a repellent by reacting with their moist skin surface or by entrapping in their nasal sensation areas, which will deter them from returning. Bleach can be used as a repellent since the smell makes groundhogs less likely to return.
How do I get rid of groundhogs with bleach?
Bleach can serve as a great groundhog deterrent. Because bleach releases chloride gas and groundhogs have sensitive nerves and noses, this repels them. By incorporating other pungent scents, such as vinegar, which masks the smell of bleach, it can be made more intense. The gas in this solution repels groundhogs by aggravating their respiratory systems when they inhale it.
Bleach can be positioned in groundhog tunnels or in the backyards of houses to deter them from approaching buildings. Or, there are alternative methods, like creating a repellent-effective bleach solution by mixing it with water and liquid dishwashing detergent. However, to avoid any serious negative effects on people, they should be sprayed on or maintained in areas where people cannot access them.
Sprinkling the groundhogs-prone areas carefully:
To keep groundhogs away, pour bleach around the outside of the dwellings and sprinkle it liberally. Alternately, keep it in a dry pot and place it in those locations, leaving it there for a while to release its smell into the air. With this effect, bleach will be present throughout the air, deterring groundhogs from entering by causing a disturbance.
When there is bleach present, the groundhogs will respond. They will experience nose and skin irritation if they come into contact with the bleach powder or breathe in the chloride gas. Use caution, then begin the process as instructed.
Spreading bleach solution:
To begin, prepare a bleach solution by mixing bleach and water. This can then be applied to various surfaces. By adding additional potentially strong agents, such as vinegar, this solution can be made more effective. This will increase its potential smell and help to deter groundhogs within a few minutes. This needs to be sprayed right after prepping since it begins to develop chloride gas, which is what gives bleach its distinctive odor.
What home remedy deters groundhogs?
Though bleach is a potent groundhog deterrent, it can be very violent or life-threatening for them as well as for your children or pets. There are some other useful home remedies that can effectively deter groundhogs without causing a risky effect on them such as:
Garlic:
As garlic contains a pungent spicy kind of scent, it’s irritating for their sensitive nose. They are unable to tolerate its powerful pungent smell and hide away from the place. By crushing it or mixing it with other essential oils, garlic can be used in groundhog-prone areas which will efficiently deter groundhogs.
Citronella:
The oil extracted from citronella is highly active to deter groundhogs. As the citronellas belong to the lemongrass family, they can produce a lemony or citrusy smell which sends them a danger signal to their nerves from a long distance. The smell is awful to them and so, it serves as a natural groundhogs deterrent.
Lavender:
Lavender contains various toxic elements which are harmful to their skin and health. They may go through a lot from stomach disturbance, insomnia, nausea if they lick it. Even the smell of lavender oil is overwhelming which makes it a potential groundhogs-repellent.
Final Thoughts
As groundhogs are sensitive to any strong smell the pungent scent of bleach irritates their nose and makes them irritated. In fact, the toxic chemical of bleach can make them feel sick if they taste it. It’s a powerful substance that makes them go through a lot and thus deter them effectively.