Two groundhogs have taken up residence under my garden shed.  They're
eating my perennials and my neighbor's vegetables.  I don't want to
kill them -- I'd be happy if they just relocated to nearby
parkland/forest.  I can't trap and move them myself because in
Virginia, it is illegal to trap animals to relocate them unless they
have been declared nuisances by the state.

So far I've tried:
1. Wood lattice between the bottom of the shed and the ground.  That
hasn't helped -- they dig right under it.
2. Filling in the tunnels. This is only a momentary fix -- they
promptly dig new tunnels -- from as far as two feet out.
3. Red pepper.  It seems to keep them from eating specific plants, but
has to be reapplied frequently and doesn't keep them away from the
shed.

I'd like proven solutions (other than 1-3 above) to getting the
woodchucks to move on.

<The Humane Society recommends a combination of harrassment and
fencing to discourage woodchucks.

Fencing out woodchucks
A fence needs to be at least 4 foot high and to be installed up to 12
inches under the ground with a mesh size smaller than 2 by 2 inches.
An electified wire is recommended to stop them scaling the fence.

Harassment.
It is possible to encourage the woodchucks to relocate using activity
that makes feel less safe in their current location. During late June
or early July walk close to the burrows between 10am and 4pm. Walking
in the area with a leashed dog is likely to evoke a stronger
?predator? response. Keep vegetation near the burrows to a low level
as they prefer to forage near tall grasses and other cover. Place
soiled cat litter at the entrance of the burrows.

To find out if they have moved on, place hay across the entrance to a
burrow. It it has not been disturbed for a few days, you can assume
that they have moved elsewhere. Excavate the burrows and bury a 3
square foot heavy-gauge welded wire about 1 foot deep around the
burrow entrance. Reapply cat litter if you notice new digging
activity.

For questions or additional wildlife damage control techniques you can
call the Wildlife Section of the HSUS at 202-452-1100 or send an
e-mail to wildlife@hsus.org.

Source: The Humane Society
http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/issues_facing_wildlife/humanely_reducing_agricultural_damage_by_wildlife/humanely_reducing_agricultural_wildlife_damage_woodchucks.html

The Humane Society also recommends using objects that will blow around
in the wind, such as beach balls, party balloons, or reflective Mylar
tape.

Another solution is to place a one-way door at the main entrance to
the burrow. This lets the groundhog safely exit but not return.

http://www.hsus.org/humane_living/living_in_harmony_with_animals/groundhogs_gardens.html

A posting on this forum confirms that the cat litter solution worked.
Source: Fiascofarms.com
http://www.fiascofarms.com/cgi-bin/rpgboard/viewer.cgi/gardening/3D12376200000001C.shtml>


<Search strategy :>

<humane society woodchucks control>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=nl&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-26%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=humane+society+woodchucks+control&lr=>

<woodchucks deterring>
<://www.google.com/search?hl=nl&rls=GGLG%2CGGLG%3A2006-26%2CGGLG%3Aen&q=woodchucks+deterring&lr=>


<Hope this helps.>

Thank you.  I will try these solutions until I find something that works.