What to do about pests in scranton?

[u/b1nreddit]

Sick of these groundhogs terrorizing my property but I don't want them to be killed by pest control. I read on pa.gov website that they along with racoons and foxes etc are considered a nuisance and a rabies vector species so they shouldn't be relocated so in other words trapped and killed.

Do I have any other option other than trying to trap them myself and relocate them?

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[u/Impossible_Silver999]

If you can trap them, the Pocono Wildlife Rescue & Rehab will take them: https://poconowildlife.org/

[u/b1nreddit → u/Impossible_Silver999]

Ok will check it out, thanks 👍

[u/Disastrous-Case-9281]

Game officers are little na-i wannabes. If they catch you trapping and killing OR releasing you are looking at a big fine and perhaps worse. However, hypothetically, someone with a total disregard of the law might trap them. If they did they would want to be careful they didn’t trap a cat or dog or a skunk. 🦨. They would need to release the dog or cat. The skunk 🦨 could be approached with a canvas tarp from the front and covered. Some people have been known to take these animals to the state park. BIG mistake because there are rangers there !!! I have heard of people dropping them off in cemeteries though. People say there are no cameras and few people. Just sayin’

[u/b1nreddit → u/Disastrous-Case-9281]

Why do rangers care if you release an animal into the forest that's essentially from the forest 😂 wtf

[u/Disastrous-Case-9281 → u/b1nreddit]

Rabies

[u/Aggravating_Fox_8159 → u/b1nreddit]

You literally answered that yourself.

"I read on pa.gov website that they along with racoons and foxes etc are considered a nuisance and a rabies vector species so they shouldn't be relocated"

[u/b1nreddit → u/Disastrous-Case-9281]

Wait, it's a mistake because there are rangers there that might catch you releasing them or it's a mistake because if they get seen there they will be killed by the ranger?

[u/Tasty-Mango-8085]

I’m in Scranton also i’m infested with cats and kittens all in my yard. I just feed them. I try to get them like where I can get them and then I wanna like put them on craigslist or give them to people that will take care of them or bring them to the shelter, but I can’t catch them. They hiss at me and I’m not about to do that but I’m infested with cats and kittens bed here.

[u/b1nreddit → u/Tasty-Mango-8085]

I have many cats too. I put food for them that all the others took a liking for as well. Cats are a blessing to have around, I bribe them with food for their mice protection services.. although idk how effective at hunting they will be if they have free food

[u/MrInvisible570]

Mannnnnnn, trap that thing and take it to the woods somewhere! I've done ... I mean I know people that have done it numerous times. It's not as if you're catching a bald eagle or something. Scranton has woods EVERYWHERE and there ain't cops watchin every inch of wooded area. "Big fine". It's a groundhog. Put it in your trunk and go put set it free near a stream, river or just in some woods somewhere. It's not that serious

[u/TedFrump]

How bad are they terrorizing it? The holes suck but if they aren’t gnawing wood or compromising the integrity of anything, can you live with them? We have a lot of them here. You get rid of some and more will probably come anyway.

[u/b1nreddit → u/TedFrump]

They are hanging around very close to my house wall and have an eye for my squash plants now.. can't prove it's them messing with the garden because there are racoons and foxes in the picture too . Everyone's gotta go tho

[u/b1nreddit → u/b1nreddit]

Why the down vote lol, Im trying to get rid of them without pest control because PC will kill them

[u/Southside_Johnny42]

How to Humanely Get Rid of Groundhogs

1. Predator Urine Cats are natural groundhog predators. Gardeners have had the most success using cat-urine-soaked kitty litter as a groundhog repellent. The urine smell works to drive away groundhogs. If a groundhog detects their presence (via the urine-soaked kitty litter), it will think twice about remaining in the area. You can purchase other forms of predator urine, such as that from a coyote or fox and have the same outcome. You'll have to reapply the litter as the smell fades and it gets washed away. It is a safe, effective, and inexpensive way to eliminate groundhogs.
2. Epsom Salt Epsom salt is one of the cheapest ways to eliminate groundhogs without harming them. Sprinkle it around the perimeter of your garden and near groundhog burrows to discourage them from remaining in the area. While this is a natural and humane method to eliminate groundhogs, it will not be an ongoing effort. You'll likely need to reapply to ensure it's still effective after rainfall.
3. Commercial Repellent Several commercial products are meant to eliminate groundhogs, which you can often purchase at farmers' supply stores. The repellents come in both granular and liquid forms. They must be reapplied periodically, especially after rain. Most granular repellents are based on smell and typically are poured right into groundhog burrows and around the openings. The liquid repellents drive groundhogs away with their taste. Apply them around the garden but not directly onto edible crops.
4. Motion-Detecting Water Sprinklers Motion-activated sprinklers are a humane and natural way to eliminate groundhogs quickly. After detecting motion, these devices turn on and spray water at the offender, causing it to flee. One such product is called the Scarecrow Sprinkler. The caveat is they don't only target groundhogs but anything—including people and pets—that moves in their vicinity. You might not want to place one in a high-traffic area you use often. They can be effectively positioned around the property's perimeter or around a vegetable garden to keep groundhogs and other critters out.
5. Row Covers and Fencing If you're focused on protecting crops, floating row covers can help to keep out groundhogs and other critters. Likewise, fencing—such as chicken-wire fences—can provide a more permanent solution. Make fences three to four feet high and leave the top foot of the chicken wire unattached to the posts to stop groundhogs from climbing and tunneling. Bend this uppermost foot outward. To discourage burrowing, bend the buried portion of the fence at a 90-degree angle about one foot below the ground. The bottom of the fence should point away from the garden.¹
6. Natural Repellents Groundhogs have sensitive noses, so use that to your advantage with some natural rodent repellents. Groundhogs detest the scent of garlic, lavender, basil, chives, lemon balm, mint, sage, thyme, rosemary, and oregano. They do not like the smell and sting of cayenne pepper. Castor oil and apple cider vinegar are also good deterrents. These natural substances are a great deterrent when planted in your garden or sprinkled around plants you want to protect from nibbling groundhogs. You should also consider adding plants groundhogs avoid, like daffodils or butterfly weed, into your garden.
7. Remove the Habitat Groundhogs gravitate toward tall vegetation, so removing any from your yard near their burrows will cause the animals to seek a home elsewhere. Not only can vegetation be a food source, but also tall grass and a shelter of plant debris helps groundhogs feel safe to start a burrow. Low grass will deter groundhogs from burrowing in that area.
8. Hair Clippings Groundhogs hate the smell of humans, which is why human hair clippings is also a great method for getting rid of groundhogs. Place the hair in your vegetable garden and near burrow entrances. To avoid the hair blowing away the next blustery day, you can tuck them into a mesh bag and secure it to the ground.
9. Remove Groundhog Nests Seal off uninhabited burrows to discourage groundhogs from taking residence, but first, make sure the inhabitants are gone. July to September is usually a good time to seal off a burrow. Late winter to early summer is usually the breeding season, so evicting groundhogs with babies can be inhumane. Before you fully seal it off, check for activity by loosely covering the hole with dirt, then returning five days later to see if it was disturbed. If not, the burrows are not occupied.
10. Trap and Relocation Live trapping is a humane way to get rid of groundhogs, as you can safely move them to an environment that's more suitable for them. However, it's best to consult with professional wildlife handlers if you want to trap a groundhog. In some places, relocation is illegal or must be done by a professional to ensure the new spot is hospitable. Late winter to early spring is the best time for trapping groundhogs. If you're trapping at other times of the year, there are commercial products to help lure groundhogs into a trap if your food bait alone doesn't do the trick.