Groundhogs Are Here!

Since the middle of March, groundhogs have been out of hibernation and up to their old habits of digging where they are not wanted.

Over the last month, consequently, Frontline Animal Removal has been busy helping homeowners in the Akron, Canton, Kent area trap and remove the groundhogs.

As groundhogs find new spots and look to give birth, they pop up in unexpected places.  For example, this home had a broken block by the front stoop.  A groundhog found it and moved in.

Good Time to Catch Groundhogs

Right now, before females give birth, is a good time to catch groundhogs.That makes April one of the best times to catch and remove groundhogs.  Once June hits and the little groundhogs are in the mix, the job of removal is not as easy.

Here are some pictures of groundhogs caught over the last month.

This one was excavating in some stone in front of utlity box and going under the concrete pad.

Here’s a groundhog caught where it was coming under a fence.

These two were starting to burrow and make dens alonside the foundation of a brick building.

And this groundhog found a small hillock in the landscaping and found it a good place to dig out a home.

As these pictures show, groundhogs have been busy building new digs and getting ready for spring!

Trapping Groundhogs | Akron, Canton, Kent

Knowing where the groundhog den entrance is makes groundhog trapping efficient and starightforward.

As all of these pictures show, we catch them at den entrances by integrating a trap into the entrance.

In order to get in or out of the den, the groundhog has to pass through the trap and is captured.

Here is a picture of the style of trap we use in most instances.

This is a two door, spring loaded, hanging-wire-triggered trap.   The brand shown here is Comstock.  Tomahawk Brand makes a very similar trap that works great too.

We believe this style is the most effective groundhog trap because:

1) It has two doors.

This is important so that when it is placed in the groundhog’s travel path (see right place below) it allows the groundhog to look through it and allows entry no matter the direction of travel.

2) The doors are spring loaded.

When the trigger goes off these doors close quickly and powerfully. A good, fast mechanism helps ensure a catch and keeps the animal in.

3) Hanging wire trigger.

Bendable wire hangs in the trap and when it is moved by the animal trying to brush past, the trap fires.

Animals don’t have to step directly on a floor pan as some traps require.

We believe most animals are more conscious about what they put their feet on versus what their sides brush up against which is why we are not fans of floor pans or treadles.

Most groundhogs brush past grass and sticks all the time as they travel.

The Right Place for Groundhog Traps
The right place to trap a groundhog (especially with this style of trap) is directly in its path of travel.

Therefore, one of the best places to trap a groundhog is right where it goes in or out of a hole.

Hole entrances (like the one shown to the right by this shed) are often obvious and well defined paths of travel. And, if a groundhog is really using that hole, it will be captured quickly.

Setting the traps described above will catch any groundhogs coming or going from under this structure in short order as long as any other entrances are covered with traps as well.

Setting the trap in place and using some extra wire to block things off gives the woodchuck only one way in or out: right through the trap.

Other great places for traps are other well defined travel paths like right along a fence or, better yet, where a groundhog consistently crawls under a fence.

Finding a good place to set a trap can be visualized well in the following video.

In the video you’ll see where Ryan places the trap and how he makes sure the groundhog walks through the trap.

Canton, Akron, Kent Area Groundhog Removal

Successful groundhog trapping is all about putting the right trap in the right spot.

If you get these two pieces of the puzzle right and the groundhog is actively using the area, groundhog removal is quickly accomplished.

We encourage you to give it a try yourself or call a professional nuisance wild animal control operator in your area if you need help.

In the greater Akron, Canton, Kent, OH area, we offer experienced and efficient removal of groundhogs/woodchucks for homeowners and business owners alike.

If you’d like to know more about our groundhog removal / trapping services, please contact us today.