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How to Trap a Groundhog
How to Trap a Groundhog. Groundhogs, or woodchucks, can be pests to your garden. There are many ways to deter them from your yard, but if you want to live-trap them, make sure it's legal in your state. By live-trapping your groundhogs, you can set them free in another place where they won't disturb you. This is a humane and safe way to relocate the...
Groundhogs, or woodchucks, can be pests to your garden. There are many ways to deter them from your yard, but if you want to live-trap them, make sure it's legal in your state. By live-trapping your groundhogs, you can set them free in another place where they won't disturb you. This is a humane and safe way to relocate the groundhogs found in your yard or garden.
Things You'll Need
Animal trap
Salad greens, carrots, apples or cabbage for bait
Wood
Trapping a Groundhog Live
Purchase an animal trap or borrow one from your local Humane Society. Locate an entrance to the groundhog burrow (there can be as many as four to five). The main entrance will typically have a small mound of dirt nearby.
Place the trap near an entrance of the burrow, no more than five to 10 feet away. Place the bait in the trap and set it. Suggested bait includes salad greens, carrots, apples or cabbage.
Use wood to create a walled pathway leading from the burrow entrance to the trap, which will encourage the groundhog to walk directly to the trap when it leaves the burrow.
Check the trap regularly until you catch the groundhog. Call your local Humane Society for information about where to relocate the captured groundhog. Typically, you should move it to a field several miles from your home.
Tips & Warnings
Havahart traps are often touted as being highly humane.
Be careful when releasing a groundhog. It may bite.
It's possible that you may capture other wild animals in your trap. If this happens, carefully set them free and put fresh bait in the trap.
