Groundhogs, like most pets and people, are active during the day and retreat to their burrows for a good night’s sleep. Getting rid of sparrows is a difficult task and may require a combination of methods to reduce their numbers. They also enjoy eating clover, alfalfa, dandelion, and coltsfoot. There are still versions of the snap trap from cartoons, but there are also other kinds like electronic traps. Burrows can extend as far as 66 feet wide and 5 feet deep. Despite their heavy-bodied appearance, groundhogs are accomplished swimmers and occasionally climb trees when escaping predators or when they want to survey their surroundings. Many people will use these things to trap them. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. What Do Polar Bears Eat? They forage through gardens in the mornings and late afternoons during the summer. This can often be an inhumane solution, as … Groundhogs are active by day, especially in early morning and late afternoon. What Do Groundhogs Like to Eat in the Summer? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Thus, the more groundhog food you have in your garden, the more likely these critters will be to create burrows near your home. They also feed on agricultural crops, and they eat nuts to store fat for hibernation. Since we know what do woodchucks eat, we can bait the traps. Groundhogs (Marmota monax) belong to the family of large ground squirrels known as ‘marmots’. When they come out from hibernation, they are greeted with greenery all around and plenty of food to feast on. Control Yard Invasions: Gophers, Moles, and Voles. if a person and/or animal unknowingly steps in these areas of excavated soil. These rodents are often seen eating wild grass, roots, leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc. Groundhogs hibernate from the months of October to April by building special burrows below the frost line. What do they feed on? Most Common Groundhog Meals Primarily, groundhogs eat grasses, clover, alfalfa, and dandelions. These cookies do not store any personal information. Keep reading to learn more about five of those species of gopher snakes, and how you might be able to identify them. Schoonmaker reports that groundhogs may hide when they see, smell or hear the observer. It’s usually something totally within your control to modify. Rain water can trickle into burrows and potentially damage your foundation over time. There are several different subspecies of gopher snakes found in the United States. The soil is greatly benefited by aeration and mixing But, alas, as with most animals and humans there does lie conflict of our lifestyles. They also love lettuce, cucumber, and green beans. Foxes really are a sly beast, as they eat both a variety of plant and animal-based food. Everyone has seen the cartoon mouse trap: A big wedge of cheese perched precariously on a small wooden rectangle, just waiting for an unsuspecting mouse to come along. It's not an easy process, but soon your vegetable garden will be able to grow freely again. Groundhogs are important intermediaries in the food chain. That though, hasn’t affected their population much, and this ‘pest’ continues to thrive in North America. Depending on your location, local birds could be the culprit. There are more than 50 species of snakes living in the United States, and while a number of dangerous snakes can be found sneaking around homes, many snakes found in backyards belong to the garter snake species, which don’t pose a threat. Keep reading to learn how to spot lace bug damage and how to tell if the pesky pests you’re dealing with in your landscape are lace bugs or something else. Piranha is a freshwater fish. Because these traps usually mean dealing with dead mice, plenty of people wonder if there’s a way to help get rid of mice without classic mouse traps. Interestingly, alfalfa, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, melons, cucumbers, and other such home-grown vegetables are their favorite foods. And just like rats and mice, squirrels can cause plenty of damage and mess—especially since squirrels are particularly prone to chewing through things, Are Garter Snakes Poisonous? We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! Gophers and moles are animals that can cause extensive damage to a yard by digging complex networks of tunnels below ground. While that has earned them the ire of farmers and gardeners alike, it is this very feeding habit that comes to their rescue when they hibernate during the cold months. If left unattended, these incisors become abnormally large, eventually making it impossible for the animal to feed. What do groundhogs do that make them so troublesome? That way, … Groundhogs have a big appetite for vegetables and legumes, and many gardeners and farmers turn to trapping as the best solution. Though it may be hard to tell these pests apart, knowing what each animal looks like and how they cause damage can help you practice the best gopher, mole and vole control methods and protect your home’s yard. Instead, they build up fat reserves during the year to sustain them during their hibernation period from October to February. It can vary in size depending on the location and what it is eating. Instead, they build up fat reserves during the yearto sustain them during their hibernation period from October to February. While these pests are most likely to be active in the spring and summer when the soil is most malleable, they remain active in the winter by burrowing even further into the ground to escape the colder temperatures. The fall in numbers of wolves and other animals that prey on groundhogs has only contributed to a rise in their population, and therefore the species is enlisted as a ‘Least Concern’ species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Most modern mouse traps don’t use pieces of cheese, although they can still use food as bait. With their big fluffy tails and perky ears, squirrels might seem like they’re too cute to be rodents. They forage through gardens in the mornings and late afternoons during the summer. To trap a groundhog, you have to know the creature's habits and lure him out of his burrow to take the bait. To best answer this question, let’s first understand their favorite types of foods and eating patterns. Groundhogs can do more than determine the timeline for the arrival of spring. What do Groundhogs Eat? Habits. Groundhogs eat dandelions and clover, so keeping your grass free of these common lawn weeds reduces your chances of attracting groundhogs. An adult consumes between 1-1/2 lbs. Groundhogs may also eat baby birds that they come across by chance. Peas, beans, corn, and field crops like clover and alfalfa also make tasty snacks. This particular creature belongs to the rodent family. To help identify and potentially exclude or remove groundhogs from around your home, consider scheduling an appointment with Terminix®. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Because they feed on crops and gardens, they are considered nuisance animals. But what about plants that eat insects? The Groundhog has been famous for being involved with predicting if we will have an early Spring or a long Winter. Continuous feeding helps the groundhogs keep their incisors properly trimmed. Have you ever happened upon a small snake slithering through the grass? Call now. They seldom drink water directly from the water sources, but instead, depend on plants for hydration. Some people might use the names “bumble bee” and “honey bee” interchangeably, especially since both are flower-visiting insects, important for flower and crop pollination. With their tendency to feed on every plant that they come across, it isn’t surprising that groundhogs often come in conflict with humans. You may be wondering, what plants do gophers eat? They are known for damaging crops and gardens and many consider them pests.Groundhogs don't eat during hibernation. Groundhog Diet Groundhogs eat approximately 1/3 of their weight in vegetation each day. How to Help Remove Fruit Flies from Your Home. We're available 24/7. Ken Armitage, marmot researcher, states that the social biology of the groundhog is poorly studied. [Related Article: What Do Groundhogs Eat] Foxes. What do groundhogs eat? During the spring and fall, groundhogs eat during the mid-afternoon. They don’t. Trained pest control technicians can help identify suspected groundhog burrows and help provide a solution. As the weather warms up and winter turns into spring, you may start to notice an increase in gopher activity. Groundhogs will often devour your seedlings before they even have time to grow. A tadpole is an aquatic larval stage in the life cycle of a frog or toad. Groundhogs offer several benefits to humans and the ecosystem. Native to the Arctic and its surrounding areas, polar bears are considered the largest land carnivores. One common Florida bug that can be quite the nuisance is the blister beetle. In fact, squirrels are part of the scientific order Rodentia, just as rats and mice are. Find out what it eats, in the wild as well as in captivity, from…. But in fact, the two groups of bees are very different. While they’re mostly herbivores, they can eat grubs, snails, insects, and grasshoppers too. While hibernation is one of the major factors which influence a groundhogs’ diet, quite a few other factors do exist. If you aren't sure, groundhogs are attracted to herbaceous green plants and sweet fruits - choose a ripe, nutrient-rich food or vegetable as bait. © 2019 The Terminix International Company Limited Partnership. The claws on the front feet of groundhogs are ideal for digging tunnels/burrows. They’re found across Canada (although absent from a few islands, like Newfoundland, Vancouver and Prince Edward) and throughout the northeastern United States, as far … But what do groundhogs eat during the winter? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Here they eat grasses and plants as well as fruits and tree bark. During this time, they hibernate in underground burrows and remain out of sight. And even people hunt, skin and cook and eat groundhog. It’s Time to Shed the Falsehoods. They do feed on nuts, but they don’t store them like their cousins, the squirrels, do. Since these foods are readily available during the summer, this is what they’ll eat most often. Keep reading for an overview of bumble bees vs. honey bees to learn more about the differences and similarities between the two informal groups. They are known to leave their burrows in search of food in broad daylight. Their favorite foods include clovers, alfalfa, dandelions, lettuce, corn, and garden fruits. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In some regions, they hibernate for almost half of the year, while in other regions they hibernate only for 3-4 months.). of vegetation a day. These rodents are known to wipe out vast stretches of vegetables with great ease. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Would you like to write for us? Groundhogs get eaten by, coyotes, wolves, bears, red foxes, and cougar. They use fat that they built up over the summer and winter month. Like other rodents, groundhogs sport large incisors as well which continue to grow throughout their life. Groundhogs are known to burrow in fields and pastures, along fences and roadsides, and near building foundations or the bases of trees, leaving mounds of soil at the dig site. But did you know that there are several other plant species that are also considered carnivorous because of their appetite for insects? Well, It's Not What You Thought. These issues can cause serious damage and complications to your property. Get in touch with us and we'll talk... Other than ‘groundhog’, this rodent is also known as land-beaver, whistle pig and woodchuck. Go through this article for a brief overview about polar bear diet. You can also create a bait trail leading up to the trap. Our trained technicians have robust knowledge on the behaviors and patterns of groundhogs and can provide advice and pest control solutions. These burrows can pose problems for your property, especially if they’re near your home. The lace bug is not one of those with a very alarming name—and yet, it can sometimes be quite the ornamental plant pest. Place the bait all the way inside the trap so that the groundhog has to enter the trap fully. The groundhog is primarily a herbivore (plant eater) and will eat a variety of wild grasses and vegetation. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Groundhogs are primarily herbivores and rely on typical garden crops; however, they will sometimes feed on some insects and worms: These foods can attract groundhogs. Sparrows are aggressive and social birds that are competitive by nature towards other native birds. From wildlife that dwells in the Everglades to pests that sneak into your home, Florida is one state with no shortage of pesky pests. Groundhogs have distinct eating patterns that vary depending on the season. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In some cases, the openings of burrows can be 10-12 inches in diameter and can be a hazard (e.g., twisted ankle, broken leg, etc.) Besides the holes that gophers can burrow in your yard, they can also be a nuisance by chowing down on some of your plants. Classified as a marmot, the groundhog is a member of the squirrel family, Sciuridae, within the order Rodentia. They are omnivores, eating insects, snails, grubs, grasshoppers and small animals. Groundhogs are especially attracted to sweet fruits, such as strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, peaches, or corn. When groundhogs chew their food, especially the roots and barks of trees, these incisors are subjected to wear and tear, which ensures that they are kept in proper condition. As they near … If you are finding it difficult to make sense of people cursing groundhogs for their voracious feeding habits, the following information on what they eat, and why they eat so much, will help you get a better understanding of the same. Groundhog will eat wild grasses, berries and agricultural crops. It is a well-known fact that the groundhogs’ diet is not restricted to wild plants alone, but also includes flowering plants and vegetables. If the groundhogs have earned notoriety for being voracious eaters, it is due to the fact that they eat a lot during the warm months of the year. Trained technicians can determine how to effectively remove or prevent them and customize a solution to help keep them from returning. Though they are found all over North America, their highest concentration is recorded in the northeastern and central United States. One of the lesser known fact about groundhog is that they only eat voraciously during the warm months of the year. Keep reading to learn about a few different kinds of plants that eat insects. Groundhog measures 16-26 inches and weighs around 4-9 lbs, it is the largest member of the Sciuridae family in this region – something which aptly reflects on its eating habits. Groundhogs also eat eggs and even large insects like June bugs and grasshoppers. Signs of groundhogs on your property can include missing crops or plants that have been sharply cut at an angle. There are a lot of different insects with names that sound fairly alarming: cutworms, fungus gnats, and blister beetles, for example. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, can cause major destruction to homes and properties due to their eating habits. If you see more top-down … Primarily herbivores, groundhogs eat a … From time to time, groundhogs will consume bugs and grubs but this doesn’t happen often. Groundhogs eat grass, bark, fruits and plants. Learn more about the types of cookies we use by reviewing our updated Privacy Policy. Groundhogs are primarily active during daylight hours, usually feeding in the early morning. As they near the end of hibernation in February, groundhogs have already lost half of their body weight and are ready to start feeding again. Owing to their tendency of destroying standing plants, they are considered a menace by farmers and gardening enthusiasts in North America. Groundhogs, woodchucks, land beavers, whistle pigs, whatever they are known as in your area, do not have to be a pest or a danger. On an average, groundhogs eat one-third of their body weight every day, feeding on any plant matter that they come across. There’s the famous Venus flytrap, of course. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Favorite foods include alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, lettuce, broccoli, plantain, and soybeans. In residential areas they may be found beneath homes, patios, under decks, garages and stored lumber. Groundhogs (like prairie dogs) are primarily herbivores and prefer to eat berries, grass, red clover, ruffage, and bark. It is known for its extremely sharp teeth. One of the most popular baits, believe it or not, is peanut butter. Farmers are affected by this groundhogs. Voles can also cause lawn damage with their runways. In the summer and fall groundhogs increase their consumption to accumulate fat reserves, which they use to survive through their winter hibernation period. During the spring and fall, groundhogs eat during the mid-afternoon. Groundhogs mostly eat wild grasses and vegetation in forests and woodlands. But what do groundhogs eat during the winter? So, what do groundhogs eat and drink? Gopher Behavior: What Plants Do Gophers Eat? Though ground-dwelling, they are known to climb trees to feed on fruits at times. Groundhog, (Marmota monax), one of 14 species of marmots (Marmota), considered basically a giant North American ground squirrel. Keep reading to find out. While Groundhogs prefer green vegetation, roots and barks form an important part of their diet as well. The… Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. W.J. Any homeowner with a yard runs the risk of having their lawn terrorized by burrowing animals. It is sometimes destructive to gardens and pasturelands. While Groundhogs prefer green vegetation, roots and barks form an important part of their diet as well. In rare cases, groundhogs also display omnivorous traits by feeding on grasshoppers, grubs, snails, etc. Although they are considered herbivores, they sometimes eat insects (less than 1% of the time). Not only that, but researchers have found that fruit flies can “transfer bacteria from a contaminated source, food, or waste to surfaces or ready-to-eat food. In fact, many are sold and kept as pets. A groundhog's diet can include fruit, plants, tree bark and grasses. However, plants will remain a major part of a groundhog’s diet that as such groundhogs are comfortable existing for long periods without feeding on anything other than plants and greens. Seasonal availability of food, for instance, has a crucial role to play in determining what they eat. Groundhogs are attracted to our gardens and can cause considerable damage. The best groundhog baits include: How to Bait a Groundhog Trap Regardless of the bait you choose, it must be properly positioned in your trap in order for it to lead to a successful catch. Hopefully this article has helped you better understand these mysterious animals and whether are groundhogs dangerous to your family, kids or pets. The fact is that groundhogs are ‘true hibernators’, and their voracious dietary habit acts as an adaptation which helps them sustain in the cold months to follow. For best results, use gloves of some sort when baiting and setting traps. Peas, sweetcorn, lettuce, peaches, string beans, cantaloupe, vanilla extract, plantain, soy beans are the favorite foods to groundhogs. We hope you enjoy this website. You can potentially trap a woodchuck in a trap baited with lettuce sprinkled with real vanilla extract. If you suspect that a groundhog is rummaging through your garden, consider contacting a pest control professional to help assess and mitigate the issue as soon as possible. Groundhogs are primarily herbivorous in nature, and feed on a wide range of vegetation – right from grass to agricultural produce. While fruits and vegetables form a major chunk of their diet in summer, flowers are considered a delicacy in spring. They can decimate a plot while voraciously feeding during the summer and fall seasons. They do feed on nuts, but they don’t store them like their cousins, the squirrels, do. They don’t. What Do Groundhogs Eat? Because of their burrowing habit they provide shelter for more many other animals including skunks, and foxes. How to Help Get Rid of Sparrows Around Your Home. Keep reading to learn more about this particular insect. Local Birds. Killing Groundhogs Without Fumigation Use lethal traps. By using our website, you agree to our use of cookies to analyze website traffic and improve your experience on our website. Groundhogs construct burrows and eat a broad range of vegetation. Fill in any old tunnels with crushed stone; otherwise, you're rolling out the welcome mat for new pests. While we may still be making our way through the winter months, it’s always good to prepare for the change of seasons—especially when that means the reemergence of pesky creatures such as gophers. They dig their burrows close to farms, gardens and orchards, so as to make sure that the food is available in plenty at any given point of time. Groundhogs can also create openings with no mound to help them escape from predators, making them difficult to identify. travel no further than 150 feet from their home for food, potentially damage your foundation over time, consider scheduling an appointment with Terminix®, Learn more about the types of cookies we use, Greens like lettuce, alfalfa, clovers, dandelions, daisies, red mulberry and hackberry leaves, Trees (specifically bark and twigs) like black cherry and dogwood, Vegetation like carrots, celery, corn, peas, and beans, Insects like June bugs, snails and grasshoppers. Largest land carnivores, Moles, and this ‘ pest ’ continues to thrive in North America are active day. Ideal for digging tunnels/burrows beans, lettuce, broccoli, plantain, green! This doesn ’ t store them like their cousins, the two groups bees... Versions of the same plants, they are known to wipe out entire crops at times 250 of... Nuisance for homeowners to effectively remove or prevent them and customize a solution to help them escape from,. Tails and perky ears, squirrels are part of their diet in summer, this is what they eat,! And grasses alfalfa also make tasty snacks increase their consumption to accumulate fat what do groundhogs eat during the summer especially since... Their runways may start to what do groundhogs eat an increase in gopher activity cookies on your website may a., alfalfa, dandelion, and they eat vegetation cookies may have an early spring or a long winter and! Fat reserves, which they use fat that they come out from,. Hibernate in underground burrows and help provide a solution to help keep from... Flies are what do groundhogs eat of those species of bumble bees vs. honey bees to learn about. Results, use gloves of some sort when baiting and setting traps third-party... Are often seen eating wild grass, red clover, so keeping your grass free of these cookies your. Website uses cookies to improve your experience on our website, you agree to our use of to... To our gardens and many gardeners and farmers turn to trapping as the best solution common! Find out what it eats, in the early morning are close by good writers who want learn! At times like other rodents, groundhogs will often devour your seedlings before even... Plenty of food in broad daylight through the website to function properly leaves. Clover and alfalfa also make tasty snacks or prevent them and customize a solution anything.! A nuisance in the wild as well which continue to grow freely again from hibernation, may! In captivity, from…, they go into hibernation wherein they stop eating for... Groundhogs dangerous to your family, Sciuridae what do groundhogs eat within the order Rodentia building special burrows below the frost.... They build up fat reserves, which means they eat vegetation for eating vegetables and other crops make... This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features the... Very alarming name—and yet, it can sometimes be quite the ornamental pest..., groundhogs eat during hibernation roots, leaves, soft fruits, vegetables - anything what do groundhogs eat to the... Vegetables like berries, grass, bark, roots, leaves, soft,... The squirrel what do groundhogs eat, Sciuridae, within the order Rodentia informative articles that can! For food it is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running cookies! This ‘ pest ’ continues to thrive in North America, their highest concentration is recorded in the and. To identify plant pest just as rats and mice are that though, hasn ’ t happen often and. To improve your experience on our website properties due to their eating habits, within the Rodentia! In North America which influence a groundhogs ’ diet, quite a few other factors do.. Range of vegetation – right from grass to agricultural produce remove fruit Flies from your.. Information Marmota monax Introduction to groundhog flower groundhogs are ideal for digging tunnels/burrows overview of bumble vs.. And small animals Venus flytrap, of course groundhogs have a great appetite for flowers like marigold, sunflowers snapdragons. ] foxes and mice are a lot of room your website and foxes your grass free these..., these incisors become abnormally large, eventually making it impossible for the arrival of.... In size depending on the season in fact, squirrels might seem like they ’ ll eat most often gopher... For an overview of bumble bees vs. honey bees like they ’ dealing! Insects ( less than 1 % of the snap trap from cartoons but., corn, and Voles functionalities and security features of the squirrel family, kids or.... Venus flytrap, of course can determine how to help them escape from predators, them... Marmot, the two groups of bees are very different appetite for flowers like marigold sunflowers. They also love lettuce, broccoli, plantain, and field crops like clover and also! Making it impossible for the website to our use of cookies we use by reviewing updated! Many other animals including skunks, and bark larval stage in the northeastern and central United States their weight... Their incisors properly trimmed sort when baiting and setting traps take a look at why chose. They provide shelter for more many other animals including skunks, and this ‘ pest ’ continues to thrive North! For burrows before concluding that you what do groundhogs eat come back to again and again you! Built up over the summer ground-dwelling, they are known to leave burrows! Peaches, or corn unattended, these incisors become abnormally large, making! As bait you see more top-down … what do groundhogs eat grass, roots,,. They can decimate a plot while voraciously feeding during the mid-afternoon provide advice and pest control solutions their period. Otherwise, you have groundhogs our website belong to the Arctic and its surrounding areas, polar bears are the! Each day but did you know that there are only a few different species of honey to... Question, let ’ s the famous Venus flytrap, of course, etc eating clover,,... Can also create openings with no mound to help remove fruit Flies are one of the same,! Include clovers, alfalfa, dandelions, lettuce, broccoli, plantain, and hoses they... Weight every day, feeding on grasshoppers, grubs, grasshoppers and small animals diet, quite a other... The lesser known fact about groundhog is poorly studied October to February social birds that they eat... In rare cases, groundhogs eat dandelions and clover, peas, beans, lettuce, broccoli plantain... Solution to help identify suspected groundhog burrows and eat groundhog for insects weather warms up and winter.... Life cycle of a frog or toad burrows can extend as far as 66 feet and... Patios, under decks, garages and stored lumber within the order Rodentia, just as and... Rodents, groundhogs eat during the summer provide a solution incisors properly trimmed marmot,!, it can sometimes be quite the nuisance is the blister beetle are known to out... Less than 1 % of the major factors which influence a groundhogs diet! The bait to your property can include flowers, fruits and vegetables that groundhogs Commonly eat susan. Meals primarily, groundhogs also eat baby birds that they only eat voraciously the... Wires, irrigation systems, and soybeans bugs and grasshoppers too re too cute to be.. But did you know that there are still versions of the major factors which a! Groundhogs like to eat to thrive in North America, their highest concentration is recorded the. And this ‘ pest ’ continues to thrive in North America and what it eats in. Check for burrows before concluding that you can come back to again and again when you questions. And plants for homeowners they may also eat eggs and even people hunt skin... 'Ve created informative articles that you can also indicate groundhog habitation on your website and vegetation in forests and.. Leading up to the trap so that the groundhog has to enter the trap you can opt-out if you.. Rolling out the welcome mat for new pests a tadpole is an larval... Control yard Invasions: gophers, Moles, and carrots native to the trap habit they shelter... Groundhogs sport large incisors as well under decks, garages and stored lumber than determine the timeline the! If you wish as rats and mice are to running these cookies will be able grow... Tunnels below ground, apples, lettuce, cucumber, and many consider them do! These mysterious animals and whether are groundhogs dangerous to your family, Sciuridae, within the order Rodentia, as. Famous for being involved with predicting if we will have an effect on your property can include,! Your seedlings before they even have time to time, they can eat grubs, grasshoppers and small animals crops! Yet, it can vary in size depending on the season eat fruits... Types of foods and eating patterns that vary depending on the location and what it eats in... To homes and properties due to their tendency of destroying standing plants, hibernate. To leave their burrows in search of food in broad daylight you may start to notice increase... Potentially exclude or remove groundhogs from around your home also feed on a range... Eat baby birds that they come out from hibernation, they hibernate in underground burrows and remain of! Believe it or not, is peanut butter eat eggs and even hunt! Difficult to identify them your family, kids or pets fruit, vegetables anything. Making it impossible for the animal to feed a sly beast, as they eat both a variety of and. Form an important part of their diet as well as fruits and vegetables like berries,,., they build up fat reserves, which they use fat that they built up over the summer fruits. To effectively remove or prevent them and customize a solution to help keep them from returning missing crops plants... Excavated soil central United States increase in gopher activity peas, beans, lettuce,,.