What are Woodchucks and why are they important?
Woodchucks may not appear useful to humans, but they have their own place and identity in the ecosystem and should be accepted—and respected—for that alone. They provide food for coyotes, foxes, weasels, badgers, hawks, and eagles. Their burrows give shelter to amphibians, reptiles, smaller rodents, and even larger animals such as foxes.
What animals do Woodchucks eat?
They provide food for coyotes, foxes, weasels, badgers, hawks, and eagles. Their burrows give shelter to amphibians, reptiles, smaller rodents, and even larger animals such as foxes. People and woodchucks can coexist for years without conflict.
What does a woodchuck look like?
Woodchucks are brown overall but may look “frosted” because each hair is tipped with black and white bands. Adults measure 16-27″ including, a 4-7″ tail and weigh between 5-10 pounds. Their tail is short relative to their body size. Woodchucks have four toes on the front paws and five toes on the back paws. The prints are about 1.5″ long.
How do you deal with Woodchucks?
Even when the potential for conflict is high, there are ways to deal with woodchucks that make it possible to live in harmony with them. If woodchucks must be evicted from an area, however, it should be followed by addressing the factors that caused a problem in the first place.
1. Owls for gophers
With all due respect to Carl Spackler, dynamite is no way to deal with gophers. But as the superintendent of Desert Canyon Golf Club, in Arizona, Matt Guilfoil wasn’t big on using traps or poison pellets, either. So he’s now trying a different tack.
2. Javalinas as tipsters
Greenkeepers hate grubs. Not only do grubs eat grass roots and crowns, leaving desiccated patches in their wake, they also attract predators, such as crows, which tear up turf in their search for the bugs. What’s more, Guilfoil says, because they live in the soil itself, grubs can be tough to detect until you see the damage they have done.
3. Drones and falcons as bird control
As the superintendent of Rio Verde Country Club, in Arizona, Dan Cutler no longer curses daily at coots and pigeons. But at his previous gig, in Indian Wells, both birds were a constant source of aggravation. The solution: a remote-control airplane to scare the coots from the greens and fairways, and a falconer to handle the pigeons.
4. Bats for bugs
Remember that old lady who swallowed a fly? She was onto something. Using critters to eat critters can be both eco-friendly and effective. Consider the goings-on at Broken Sound Club, in Boca Raton, Fla., which, under golf course maintenance director Shannon Easter, has earned national recognition for its environmental stewardship.
5. Minnows for mosquito larvae
While bats patrol the skies over Broken Sound Club, little fish patrol its waters. Every year, Easter and his staff stock the ponds with millions of Gambusia minnows, which are also known as mosquitofish. You get the picture. Mosquito larvae make up their favorite meal.
6. Natural oils instead of pesticides
Working with an eco-minded pest control company, Easter has tested a range of natural products to combat black flies, mosquitos, midges, ants and other bugs. The solution he’s arrived at is a medley of natural oils, which he applies in a target fashion with a fogging machine.
What is an animal hole in golf?
The rules that went into effect at that time were rewritten to remove any distinction between burrowing animals and any other animals on a golf course. Currently, the Rules of Golf provide a definition of "animal hole" and that is the term used at various points in the 2019 edition of the rules .
What is a burrowing animal?
A "burrowing animal" is an animal that digs a hole or tunnel into the ground for the purposes of shelter or to more safely get from one place to another. Gophers, thanks to Caddyshack, are probably the best-known burrowing animals to golfers.
When did burrowing animals get removed from golf?
As of January 1, 2019, the term "burrowing animal" was removed from the Rules of Golf.
Who is Bill Murray in Caddyshack?
Bill Murray in 'Caddyshack' isn't the only person who's had to deal with gophers on golf courses. The Rules of Golf cover how to handle burrowing animal holes. Orion Pictures/Getty Images. Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism.
Is an ant hill an abnormal ground condition?
Ant hills, however, were considered loose impediments, not abnormal ground conditions, according to Decision 23/5. (Ants are insects, which are excluded from the definition of burrowing animal.
Who wrote the rules of golf?
The official Rules of Golf are written by the USGA and the R&A, and the definition of "burrowing animal" that appeared in the rules before being superseded by "animal holes" was this:
What is required to maintain a golf course?
A variety of machines are required to maintain a golf course’s grass. Groundskeepers must know how to operate different types of mowers and trimmers, and learn the proper procedures for trimming around areas such as bunkers, cart paths, fences and trees.
What is the importance of grass in golf?
Grass and Ground Maintenance. Grass is, obviously, a key foundational element of any golf course. Grass on the tee area, fairway, green and rough must all be kept healthy and maintained at the correct height. The green is a particular challenge, as the short, firm grass must be kept perfectly weed-free. Groundskeepers not only cut and trim the ...
When do groundskeepers work?
Very early in the morning -- before play begins for the day -- groundskeepers are typically hard at work. They may also work after dark, once the players have left the course.
What do groundkeepers do?
Groundskeepers not only cut and trim the grass, but apply pesticides, weed prevention chemicals and the proper amount of irrigation to make sure the grass thrives. They also repair areas where the ground has been damaged, so they must know how to prepare soil and seed it, or how to lay new sod.
How do woodchucks get harried?
Woodchucks can be harried from burrows by harassment assaulting the animal's senses, or by disturbing the burrow system. However, there is only a small window of time in the year when this can be done humanely, so timing is crucial.
What is a woodchuck?
The woodchuck (a.k.a. groundhog) is often caught between being a celebrity and a villain. One day we rely on their shadow to forecast the seasons; the next we grumble as they make a meal of our carefully planted garden vegetables. Even when the potential for conflict is high, there are ways to deal with woodchucks that make it possible ...
How to test if a burrow is vacant?
Before closing a burrow, first test for activity: Loosely plug all of the burrow entrances (there may be several) with grass clippings, newspaper, or similar material and monitor activity to determine if the burrow is currently vacant.
When to evict woodchucks from burrows?
The best time to evict woodchucks from burrows is from mid- to late summer or between early July and late September in most areas. If you watch closely, you may actually see the young woodchucks as they first venture above-ground.
When do woodchucks evict?
Before attempting to evict and exclude woodchucks, consider that breeding female woodchucks have dependent young in their burrows from late winter until spring or early summer , and evicting them during this time can be inhumane.
How high should a fence be above ground?
Reach three to four feet above ground level.
Can woodchucks get rabies?
Public health concerns. Woodchucks are not considered to be a significant source of any infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. However, they can get rabies and may be aggressive when this disease has taken its final hold on them.
What is a woodchuck?
Woodchuck. Woodchucks, commonly referred to as groundhogs, are considered rodents and are members of the squirrel family. They are among the few animals that are true hibernators, fattening up in the warm seasons and snoozing for most of the colder months.
What property will attract woodchucks?
Properties with some slope to the land will be more likely to attract woodchucks than those that are relatively flat. Exclusion. If there is a small area of the property that you want to protect from woodchucks, such as a garden, a group of fruit trees or ornamental shrubs, fencing can help reduce the damage.
What are the problems woodchucks cause?
Woodchuck Damage. There are two ways in which woodchucks can cause problems to the property as a result of their feeding and burrowing habits. Feeding. Their taste for flowers and vegetables and constant gnawing can cause damage in orchards and nurseries, on farms and in home gardens. Damage to crops can be extensive.
How many toes do woodchucks have?
Their tail is short relative to their body size. Woodchucks have four toes on the front paws and five toes on the back paws. The prints are about 1.5″ long. When walking, the tracks are spaced about 4″ apart. They are 12″ apart when running.
When do woodchucks mat?
Woodchuck mating season is from March to April. The gestation period is 32 days long with one litter of two to six young born per year. The young leave the den around mid-July when they can survive on their own. Young woodchucks will start looking for their own living space when they are approximately two months old. They do not breed until their second year and their average life span is only three years.
How big is a woodchuck?
Size. Adults measure 16-27″ including, a 4-7″ tail and weigh between 5-10 pounds. Their tail is short relative to their body size. Woodchucks have four toes on the front paws and five toes on the back paws.
What is the best way to trap woodchucks?
For woodchucks, Batzner uses live trapping with vegetables, cantaloupe, sweet corn, lettuce, canned peaches, or fruit cocktail. The trap needs to be set early morning before the woodchuck emerges for the day.
Importance of grass type in golf courses
Grass-type featured in the golf courses has the major potential to impact the golfer’s strategy. The well-experienced person playing golf always knows which ball-hitting strategy can help him to achieve his goal.
Best grass types for golf courses
Here are some famous and top-grown grasses for golf courses. All of these grasses are discussed with their turf qualities and environmental requirements.
Care of Golf Course Grasses in a Residential Lawn
Picking the right type of golf course grass for your residential lawn is not enough, you will need to take great care of its maintenance.
Golf Course Grasses for various geographical locations
Each grass species works well for some unique geographical locations having compatible climatic conditions to grass requirements.
What do groundhogs eat?
Groundhogs are especially attracted to sweet fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, peaches, or corn. They also love lettuce, cucumber, and green beans.
What is the name of the animal in Groundhog Day?
The groundhog shown in the movie Groundhog Day looks like a cute little creature, but, in reality, there's nothing cute about these animals. A groundhog ( Marmota monax )—otherwise known as a woodchuck, land beaver, or whistle pig—is a rodent.
What bait do groundhogs use?
Groundhogs love all fruits, but they go crazy for cantaloupe, and it is the best bait to use for a successful catch . Rub the inside and outside of the trap with cantaloupe, and then place a few pieces of cantaloupe cut into 2-inch cubes all the way inside the trap.
How to get rid of woodchucks in tunnels?
Pour the solution down their holes. This creates fumes that the woodchuck or groundhog cannot bear. You can also spray the solution around the entrances and exits of their tunnels. If you want to make the solution even more potent, add castor oil and cayenne pepper.
How to keep groundhogs away from my garden?
To deter them from ever returning to your garden, crush some garlic and pepper and throw it into their burrows. Do this day after day until they flee. You can also make a garlic and pepper spray to spray your vegetables.
How to keep groundhogs from entering my yard?
Spray your garden as well. Put some cat or dog hair into some mesh bags, and stake the bags into the ground around the fencing. Also place some crushed garlic or pepper anywhere you want to prevent the groundhog from entering.
How to scare a groundhog away from a trap?
Then throw some twigs, leaves, grass, and/or branches on top of, around, and inside the trap. Also, place a brick or two on top of the cage to keep it from rattling and scaring the groundhog away.
How to get rid of groundhogs in the grass?
Hunting. Before the grass grows up and hides them, groundhogs are vulnerable now on the edges of sun-struck fields. Bust out a flat-shooting rifle and help landowners who complain that these rodents perforate their pastures. Hunt the Habitat.
What do woodchucks do on sunny days?
On sunny days, woodchucks enjoy lounging and sunning atop logs, boulders, and other flat, warm surfaces. Rediscover the fun of woodchucks. Their greatest gift is the time they give us in the field, on lazy spring afternoons, between the end of deer season and the beginning of turkey season.
Where do woodchucks live?
Woodchucks den along the edges of rock walls at old homesites, on steep banks covered in kudzu and weeds, and under old farm buildings. Search for groundhogs in apple orchards, where they climb trees to steal apples and to avoid predators. Look along the edges of fields of corn, soybeans, and wheat.
What to do when you see flies and gnats?
If you see flies and gnats swarming around its opening, it’s in use. Keep it in view and wait for the occupant to emerge. The Strategic Shot. Watch swirling winds–at your location, but also at your target’s–not only because of their influence on bullets but because woodchucks have an uncanny sense of smell.
Where are groundhogs vulnerable?
Before the grass grows up and hides them, groundhogs are vulnerable now on the edges of sun-struck fields. Bust out …. Continued. Before the grass grows up and hides them, groundhogs are vulnerable now on the edges of sun-struck fields.
