Groundhog Day Drama

(ARA) - For the 117th year on Feb. 2, millions around the world will breathlessly await the most famous furry forecaster, "Punxsutawney Phil's," annual prediction of an end to winter. Feb. 2 brings the most-watched weather forecast of the year - and the only one led by a rodent! Legend has it that on this morning, if a groundhog can see its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it cannot see its shadow, spring is on the way.

Tens of thousands of people will descend on Punxsutawney, Pa., a small town of about 6,100 people, for a little midwinter revelry and celebration and, of course, Phil's prediction. The events are numerous throughout the day and are sponsored by a variety of companies. This year, "Groundhog Stopper," an OMRI-certified, fully organic groundhog repellent, is among the long lists of sponsors. But don't worry! Not a

Gardening

drop of the product will be sprayed at the event! Phil can feel free to predict his much-anticipated forecast without fretting about Groundhog Stopper….at least on Feb. 2.

The truth of the matter is, whether Phil sees his shadow or not, spring will arrive as scheduled on March 21. Come springtime, Phil's groundhog cousins (also known as woodchucks, or whistle-pigs) are sure to follow his lead and awake from their long winter naps. Phil and his brethren may also set about plundering gardens, digging burrows where they're not wanted and otherwise coming into conflict with their human neighbors.

There is a bit of irony in our relationship with groundhogs. We've made a star out of Phil and forged a mythology out of the by-play between his shadow and the coming of spring. Then, just a few weeks later, we curse his cousins for helping themselves to our garden vegetables!

Groundhogs don't have to be the enemy of our gardens, and trapping them won't solve the problems between humans and these rodents. As long as there's habitat available, other groundhogs will quickly fill the vacated niche. Trapping and relocating groundhogs may also lead to starving young left behind. We all want to humanely discourage groundhog damage and encourage a peaceful coexistence with our wild neighbors.

While wildlife creatures are often quite beautiful, none of us want them damaging our lavish landscapes and gorgeous gardens. As a rule of thumb, it is far better to prevent wildlife damage than to wait until it occurs and try to combat it.

This spring, Messina Wildlife Management can help you protect your beautiful backyards and gardens with a full line of OMRI-certified organic animal repellents. For more information on Groundhog Stopper and repellents for other garden pests like deer, rabbits, moles and squirrels, visit www.messinawildlife. com. Courtesy of ARAcontent