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Groundhog Trapping the Smart Way: Simple, Effective, and Proven
At Frontline Animal Removal, we believe in working smarter—not harder—when it comes to solving groundhog problems for our clients in the Canton, Akron, and Kent, Ohio areas.
If you’ve found groundhog holes in your yard or landscape and are wondering what to do, we’re here to share a straightforward and effective approach that gets results quickly and with minimal fuss.
Whether you’re in Stark, Summit, or Portage County, our method remains the same: take control of the groundhog’s movement by targeting its entrances and exits directly.
Why Groundhog Holes Matter
Before diving into trapping technique, it’s worth understanding why groundhogs choose certain locations to dig and why their holes are worth paying attention to.
To a groundhog, a well-placed hole is a prime piece of real estate. These animals are excellent excavators and choose spots that offer easy digging, safety, and access to vegetation.
A hole complex (usually a main entrance and one or more escape holes) provides shelter, protection from predators, and a base for foraging. Unfortunately for homeowners, this same setup can undermine foundations, damage landscaping, and create hazards for people and pets.
So while a groundhog may see its burrow as a smart survival move, homeowners see it as a nuisance—and rightly so.
The Method: Trap the Holes, Trap the Groundhogs
Our go-to technique for groundhog removal is all about strategy. Rather than guessing where the animal might be or placing traps randomly, we focus on controlling movement at the burrow complex.
Step 1: Identify All Holes
First, we find all the active holes. There are usually one or two main holes and possibly an escape or secondary hole. These entrances are often located near decks, sheds, patios, or along embankments. We look for signs like fresh dirt, flattened grass, tracks, and droppings to confirm activity.
Step 2: Place Traps at the Holes
Once the holes are located, we place Comstock double door traps directly over the entrances. The Comstock cage trap is specially designed for this kind of setup. It features spring-loaded, vertically closing double doors, which allow us to cover the hole in a way that any animal exiting or entering must go through the trap. When they do, the doors shut behind them—quick and clean.
You can learn more about this trap design by visiting Comstock Custom Cage.
Some shovel work is often required to dig a level bed for the trap and properly align it with the hole. We may also cover the back of the hole with hardware cloth, dirt, or a board to block off the alternate route and direct the groundhog through the trap.
Step 3: Block All Other Access Points
If there are multiple holes, we either trap them all or block some. We can collapse the holes as Ryan does in the video below. Or, these holes can be blocked with with stones, fencing, cinder blocks, soil, etc. Your only limited by your imagination and materials at hand.
This way, we control the traffic. The key is making sure every possible exit or entrance is either trapped or sealed.
Step 4: Monitor & Repeat
We leave the traps in place and check them regularly. If multiple animals are using the same burrow complex, we’ll catch them one by one. Eventually, once the traps stop triggering and no new holes are dug, we know the job is complete.
Why This Works
Groundhogs are creatures of habit. When a trap is placed on the hole, it captures the animal in a predictable and controlled way. This is far more efficient than baiting traps randomly in the yard and hoping a groundhog walks in. Our method turns the animal’s routine into its own undoing.
Here is a recent video which shows this methodology:
You can read more about this technique in a previous blog post:
👉 Trapping Woodchucks/Groundhogs the Easy Way
Need Help? Hire a Pro.
While this may sound simple enough, there’s a reason people call us.
Successfully identifying holes, properly placing traps, and making sure all access points are controlled takes skill, experience, and the right tools. A poorly placed trap won’t catch anything—or worse, it might educate the groundhog to avoid traps altogether.
If you’re dealing with groundhog problems in the Canton, Akron, or Kent area—or anywhere in Stark, Summit, or Portage County—give Frontline Animal Removal a call. We’ll bring the expertise and tools to get the job done quickly and humanely.
Learn more about our groundhog trapping services here:
👉 Groundhog Removal Services
And be sure to check out the YouTube videos we make to see us in action!
Stop the digging before it gets worse.
Control the holes. Control the groundhog.
Call Frontline Animal Removal today.