Invasions of groundhogs have become an increasing complaint among Saginaw homeowners near overgrown abandoned property, including an unkempt railroad yard that begins at the Potter Station and extends near the former Heavenrich School on Perkins.
A pair of residents complained during Monday’s City Council meeting, asking that tall weeds and grass be cleared along South 20th street back to 17th, and they were told City Hall is not responsible for eradicating the varmints.
However, they were not informed that from a $52 million ARPA allocation, the council has followed the administration’s recommendation to allocate only a fractional $800,000 for increased mowing and cleanup.
Also, a report from the Montreal-based McGill University Urban Nature Information Service states that woodchucks are plant-eaters “often associated with agricultural areas, combinations of open fields (food) and cover (woodlots and hedgerows)” who often pursue living spaces beneath home foundations and porches.
The McGill authors suggest basic repellents that include Epson salts and ammonia. They also offer a concoction that mixes cups of oil soap, castor oil and “the hottest hot sauce you can find” into a gallon of water, along with a surprise ingredient by adding a shot glass of human urine.
