If you’re a gardener, you’ve probably wondered about what the local wildlife thinks of your harvest. One common question is, do groundhogs like grapes? These furry visitors can be a real puzzle when they start sampling your plants. Let’s look at the facts about groundhogs and their eating habits, so you can protect your garden effectively.
Understanding what groundhogs eat is key to managing them. They are herbivores, which means their diet consists entirely of plants. This includes grasses, clover, dandelions, and many garden vegetables. Fruits are also a part of their menu when they are in season and easily available.
Do Groundhogs Like Grapes
So, to answer the main question directly: yes, groundhogs do like grapes. If you have grapevines growing near their burrow, they will likely find them. The sweet taste of ripe grapes is appealing to many animals, and groundhogs are no exception. They will eat both the fruit and sometimes the tender young leaves of the vine.
Why Grapes Are Attractive to Groundhogs
Grapes offer a high sugar content, which provides quick energy. For a groundhog preparing for hibernation, this is a valuable food source. The fruit is also soft and easy to eat, making it a low-effort snack. If other preferred foods are scarce, they will turn to grapes more readily.
- High Sugar Content: A great energy boost for fat storage.
- Easy Access: Often grown on low trellises or fences.
- Seasonal Timing: Ripens in late summer, perfect for pre-hibernation feeding.
How to Tell if a Groundhog is Eating Your Grapes
You’ll notice more than just missing grapes. Look for these signs around your vines:
- Chewed stems and leaves with a rough, ragged edge.
- Shallow diggings or scrapes near the base of the plants.
- The presence of a burrow entrance nearby, often with a pile of fresh dirt.
- Distinctive, pellet-like droppings in the area.
Protecting Your Grapevines from Groundhogs
You don’t have to lose your harvest to these hungry critters. Here are some proven methods to keep them at bay.
1. Install a Sturdy Fence
This is the most effective long-term solution. A fence needs to be both tall and deep to stop a groundhog.
- Use welded wire or chicken wire with mesh no larger than 2 inches.
- Bury the bottom edge at least 12 inches deep, bending it outward into an “L” shape to prevent digging.
- Make sure the above-ground height is at least 3 feet tall. Since groundhogs can climb, some gardeners add a loose, floppy top section that bends over when they try to scale it.
2. Use Safe Repellents
Repellents can work, but they need consistent reapplication, especially after rain. Use natural options like:
- Coyote or fox urine granules (available at garden centers).
- A spray made from cayenne pepper, garlic, and water.
- Commercial repellents with ingredients like capsaicin.
Always apply these around the perimeter of your grapevines, not directly on the fruit you plan to eat.
3. Make the Area Less inviting
Groundhogs prefer cover. By removing hiding spots, you encourage them to move on.
- Clear away brush piles, tall grass, and debris near your garden.
- Keep the area around your grapevines well-mowed.
- If you know where the active burrow is, you can carefully install a one-way exclusion door after ensuring no young are inside—this often requires professional advice.
4. Try Companion Planting
Some plants have smells that groundhogs find unpleasant. Planting these around your grape arbor may help deter them. Consider adding:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Marigolds (particularly the pungent varieties)
- Lavender
This method isn’t foolproof, but it can add a layer of protection and beautify your garden at the same time.
What Other Fruits and Vegetables Are at Risk?
Grapes aren’t the only garden favorite on a groundhog’s list. If they’re in your garden, they will likely also target:
- Beans, peas, and soybeans
- Carrots and other root vegetables sometimes
- Squash and cucumbers
- Broccoli and lettuce
- Berries and sweet fruits like melons
They tend to prefer young, tender plants and sweet fruits. Their taste can vary by region and individual animal, so you might see some surprises.
A Balanced View: The Role of Groundhogs
While they can be frustrating for gardeners, groundhogs do play a part in the ecosystem. Their burrowing aerates the soil and can improve water infiltration. Their abandoned burrows also provide homes for other wildlife like rabbits and foxes. The goal is usually peaceful coexistence, not elimination, by protecting the specific plants you care about.
Remember, persistence is key. Groundhogs are habitual creatures. If you consistently make your grapevines difficult to access, they will eventually seek easier food sources elsewhere. Check your fences regularly for new diggings and refresh your repellents as needed. With these steps, you can enjoy your grape harvest and watch the local wildlife from a respectful distance.
FAQ: Groundhogs and Garden Foods
Q: Will groundhogs eat all types of grapes?
A: Generally, yes. They aren’t picky about grape varieties. Both table grapes and wine grapes are susceptible if they are sweet and accessible.
Q: What time of day are groundhogs most active?
A: They are primarily diurnal, meaning they forage during the day. You’ll most often see them in the early morning and late afternoon.
Q: Are grapes bad for groundhogs to eat?
A: In small, wild quantities, grapes are not harmful. However, you should never intentionally feed grapes or other human foods to wild groundhogs, as it makes them dependent and can cause other health issues.
Q: Do groundhogs like other fruits as much as grapes?
A: They enjoy many berries, apples, and pears. Their preference often depends on what is most available and ripe in your particular garden.
Q: How can I tell the difference between groundhog damage and deer damage on my plants?
A: Deer lack upper incisors, so they tear plants, leaving a ragged break. Groundhogs make a cleaner, angled cut, similar to a rabbit, but on larger stems. Deer also leave taller browse lines, while groundhogs eat much closer to the ground.