Best Way to Trap Groundhogs
We are often asked, “What is the best and easiest way to catch a groundhog?”
We almost always answer by stating that successful groundhog trapping is best accomplished by putting the right trap in the right place.
Easy to say…but what exactly do we mean by that? That’s what what we intend to show with the pictures and descriptions in this post. We’ll describe both the right trap and the right place.
The Right Trap
There are a number of styles of traps with which to trap groundhogs; all of which can be effective.
That said, 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 by Comstock Custom Cages.
We believe it is the right trap because:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. Most groundhogs brush past grass and sticks all the time as they travel.
The Right Place
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 are obvious and well defined paths of travel. And, if a groundhog is really using that hole, it will be captured quickly.
Here are three possible entry points at a recent groundhog removal job in Stark County, OH. Homeowners found evidence of groundhogs burrowing under the slab this building sits on and could hear noises.
Finding the right place for traps just involved a walk around the structure identifying areas the groundhogs have removed dirt from and can get under the concrete floor as these pictures show.
The one on the left and in the center look very active. The one on the right does not look as active, but needs attention as well.
Setting the traps described above will catch any groundhogs coming or going from under this structure in short order. Take a look at each right place set with the right trap:
The traps are placed right at the entries. And, with some additional pieces of wire to ensure no way to slip around the trap at the foundation, any groundhog coming or going will be captured quickly and efficiently.
As this picture shows, it really is a good method.
This method even work great in an open space, right on a groundhog’s entrance hole.
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 for homeowners and business owners alike. If you’d like to know more about our groundhog removal / trapping services, please contact us today.
For more information:
Thanks for reading!
