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How to deter woodchucks?

  • 1.  How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 08-14-2023 11:19
    All,

    Ron Hemenway here from the Vermont Fair in Rutland, Vt. I have previously posted about having someone apraise the value of artifacts in the museum.  My question this time is how to deter wood chucks from chewing on the various artifacts ? I have used cayane pepper and rubbed it into the wood of the artifacts, but it does not last long. The problem is that the museum is two converted cattle barns with a dirt floor, so the wood chucks have access to the museum. Ideally we would like to have one new building built for the museum, but isn't going to happen. Any suggestions ?

    Ron Hemenway

    Farm Museum at the Vermont State Fair



  • 2.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 08-15-2023 09:49

    Ron,

    That's a unique problem for sure! I'm wondering if you could try posting owl or hawk scarecrow statues, the kind you often see in gardens to deter pests from eating veg? That might help to deter the wood chucks. good luck!

    Laurie



    ------------------------------
    Laurie King
    Archaeological Conservator
    The Mariners' Museum and Park
    Newport News VA
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 08-16-2023 10:17
    Laurie,

    I will try this. In addition, spirits of pepermint and dryer sheets work with squirels, maybe it will work with wood chucks.

    Ron



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 08-16-2023 10:17

    Hi Ron,
    As the acting C2CC community monitor, I'd like to thank you for posting to the community. It does sound like a challenge! On the C2CC Resource page https://connectingtocollections.org/resources/ you can search under "pest", for instance, and get some hits. You might also try https://icwdm.org/species/rodents/woodchucks/woodchuck-damage-prevention-and-control-methods/ . I'm sure other members will share their experiences, too.

    Best, Karen



    ------------------------------
    Karen Jones
    Book and Paper Conservator
    Freelance/Private Practice/Self-employed/Independent
    Denver CO
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 08-16-2023 10:33

    Hi Ron,

    I have had good results repelling critters with Shakeaway products. The fox urine based product should help to keep them out of the storage sheds. It does have to be reapplied occasionally during their active seasons, but it should help. You might also consider live trapping and removal, though that is certainly more labor intensive. 

    https://www.shake-away.com/



    ------------------------------
    Richard Kerschner
    Principal
    Kerschner Museum Conservation Services
    Ferrisburgh, VT
    (802) 236-5564
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 08-17-2023 12:48
    Richard,

    Thank you for the recommendation. We are so desperate to do something. We have thought about live trapping . Anything will be worth a try.

    Thanks,

    Ron



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 08-18-2023 09:44
    Ron - 
     
          We have found that one problem with live trapping is that critters can come back even if you take them very far away. We had an ambitious pack rat that came back over ten times even as it was taken progressively father away. The last trip was ten miles. I finally let him investigate a snap trap. We could recognize that it was the same fellow because he had a torn ear. What a drag.
     
    We did find that animal urine was helpful for awhile - may the creatures got the idea that no preditor was really there.
     
    Good luck.
     
    Susan
     
     
     
     



    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 08-18-2023 09:45
    Hello,

    In Londonderry (NH) we have some problems with woodchucks. Our site is surrounded by apple trees, some of which we own. The local orchard operator hires a person to shoot the animals, which can cause a lot of damage to apple trees. The historical society also pays the exterminator a small sum to reduce the herd. We are lucky in that the local police are happy with the situation despite being close to some private and municipal structures. 
    At my home we use Have-Hart traps to take care of the woodchucks and raccoons. This is a little expensive to have someone set the traps and carry away the culprits. The animals are sent to their heavenly rewards. The state wildlife officers do not want to have potentially rabid animals taken to another location where they might spread the disease.

    David

    David Lee Colglazier
    6 Moulton Drive
    Londonderry,  NH 03053
    -------------
    603-425-1929










  • 9.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 08-18-2023 10:54
    David,

    We have talked about trapping and disposing of the animals, but we never seem to get around to doing so. A few years ago, we even had an albino wood chuck. Any case they the animals are very frustrating. Thanks for the ideas.

    Ron



    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-01-2023 11:19

    Can you keep a dog on the property?



    ------------------------------
    Alan Hawk
    Museum Specialist
    National Museum of Health and Medicine
    Silver Spring MD
    alan.j.hawk.civ@health.mil
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-01-2023 14:00
    Alan,

    No, this is not an option. Nice idea though.

    Ron



    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-05-2023 11:04

    How much square footage would you need to cover? Your best option is digging and placing some wire fencing along the perimeter of the building. 

    The great Bob Villa also recommends Epsom salts, ammonia, red pepper flakes, talcum powder, and garlic. Although he also lists anti-freeze as an option too so...

    How to Get Rid of Groundhogs Effectively and Humanely - Bob Vila



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Ricchio
    North & Northwest Program Leader Workforce Health and Safety
    McHenry IL
    (815) 701-6365
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-05-2023 11:25
    Jessica,

    I would say the area is maybe 90 ft long and about 60 to 75 ft wide. I have tried cayene pepper. The propblem is the building are unmanned for over half the year. We try to check on the museum a couple times during the unmanned times, but the wood chucks are mostly left to their own devices.

    Ron Hemenway



    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-06-2023 09:41

    What about placing items on pallets or some other elevated surface to remove them from the groundhog's reach?



    ------------------------------
    Jessica Ricchio
    North & Northwest Program Leader Workforce Health and Safety
    McHenry IL
    (815) 701-6365
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-06-2023 10:36
    Jessica,

    Interesting idea. Some items are already elevated either from the ceiling or attatched to the walls. The items that seem to atract the ground hogs are items that are really to heavy to elevate such as wagons or sleighs. Maybe we can elevate some items. It is definately worth a shot.

    Thanks,

    Ron



    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-07-2023 10:12

    Despite their name, I've seen groundhogs climb trees although they are much less graceful on the way down

     

    -- 

    Julia Merkel

     

     

     




    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-07-2023 13:15
    Julia,

    One thing , I am curious about. Do they chew on items to get something particular in their diet such as salt ? 

    Ron 



    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-08-2023 15:53

    Not to make light of a serious inquiry, but I am writing this late on a Friday afternoon so bear with me..... When I read the question "how much square footage is needed to be covered?" I could not help my my subconscious equating that to "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?". Tell me I'm not the only one!

    Best wishes with solving your problem. Let us know what works in the end!

    Dee



    ------------------------------
    Dee Stubbs-Lee
    Conservator
    New Brunswick Museum
    Saint John NB
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 19.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-11-2023 08:19
    Try hydrated lyme. I don't know if it works for woodchuck but one line of it deters snakes and other creatures from crossing.




    Original Message


  • 20.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-06-2023 09:41

    The MuseumPests Working Group recently updated our Vertebrates page on the website https://museumpests.net/vertebrates/game-wildlife/ with some basic information on Woodchuck control based on the experience of site managers and pest control professionals. 



    ------------------------------
    Rachael Arenstein
    A.M. Art Conservation, LLC
    rachael@amartconservation.com
    ------------------------------



  • 21.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-08-2023 09:40

    Hi Ron and all,

    Would some startling device that is weatherproof, solar powered, and motion activated keep them away? I donʻt have any firsthand experience with woodchucks; it sounds from this thread like they are resourceful and able to learn, so maybe they would get used to it, but perhaps a noise they are afraid of or a flashing light would scare them away for a little while. I don't know if such a device exists, but I assume it would use similar technology to a trail cam.

    Good luck! Please keep us posted.

    Lisa



    ------------------------------
    Lisa Imamura (she/her/hers)
    Connecting to Collections Care Monitor
    ------------------------------



  • 22.  RE: How to deter woodchucks?

    Posted 09-08-2023 15:53
    Lisa,
     I will give your suggestion some thought. 
    Thanks,

    Ron 



    Original Message


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