How to Trap a Groundhog

Co-authored by Luke Lewis

Last Updated: November 23, 2024 Fact Checked

Is a groundhog wreaking havoc in your garden? Groundhogs have a big appetite for vegetables and legumes, and many gardeners and farmers turn to trapping as the best solution. To trap a groundhog, you have to know the creature's habits and lure him out of his burrow to take the bait. It's not an easy process, but soon your vegetable garden will be able to grow freely again. See Step 1 to learn how to trap and release these critters.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Planning to Trap

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1
Decide what type of trap to use. There are two types of traps available for groundhogs: traps that kill the groundhogs immediately and traps that keep them alive, so you can take them somewhere and release them. Because the traps that kill groundhogs are dangerous to use and often end up killing house pets and other animals, they are illegal in many places.^{[1]
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The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare

Go to source} The safer and more humane option is a live trap, which uses bait to lure the groundhog into a cage that has a door that will lock shut. These traps are available at garden supply stores and can be reused as often as necessary.
- If you prefer to use a trap that kills the groundhog and it's legal in your state to do so, call a professional groundhog extermination service to have them set the trap and deal with the groundhog after it's been caught. This is not recommended if you have pets that may wander near the trap.
- Relocating groundhogs is also illegal in some areas. If this is the case in your region, you'll need to call animal control to dispose of the groundhog on your property.
2
Set the trap in the early spring. In the spring, groundhogs are active, but they haven't yet given birth to their young. Trapping them before the babies are born will prevent you from having 4 extra groundhogs to deal with. Another benefit of trapping in spring is that the tunnels are easier to spot, since no foliage is covering them. Finally, groundhogs are extra-hungry this time of year because their favorite foods have yet to sprout. This means they'll be easily enticed by the bait you set out.^{[2]
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The Humane Society of the United States
National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare

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- Plan to trap groundhogs in early spring, before the flowers and leaves come out in full force.
- You can also trap groundhogs in the fall.
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3
Find a groundhog hole. The best place to set the trap is close to the entrance hole to the groundhog's burrow. To find the hole, look for a place where the dirt at the ground's surface is disturbed, and follow it to a small hole or caved-in spot. You'll want to set the trap 5–10 feet (1.5–3.0 m) from the hole to make sure it's within easy reach.^{[3]
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National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare

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- Determine where the groundhog high-traffic area is by looking for footprints, trails or where the most damage has been done to your crops. Select holes in these high-traffic areas for your traps.

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Trapping the Groundhog

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Clean it well with mild or unscented dish soap to remove any human scent on it. The groundhog will be more likely to approach the trap if it doesn't smell like you. From this point forward, handle the trap with rubber gloves on to avoid transferring your scent back to it.^{[4]
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Weight your trap down so that it does not shake when the animal enters. The shaking may spook the groundhog, and it may not enter far enough to become trapped. You can weight it by placing a heavy rock in the back of the trap or putting rocks on top of the trap.^{[5]
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Groundhogs won't be likely to walk into a shiny new trap. You'll have a better chance of catching a groundhog if you conceal it by covering it with some vegetation, like branches and leaves. You could also hide the metal with a burlap sack or some pieces of wood to make it look less like a trap.^{[6]
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Scatter some vegetables like lettuce, carrots and celery inside the trap. Choose foods that specifically grown in your garden or crop area that you know the groundhog likes to eat, because you've seen the evidence. You can also buy a product called "woodchuck lure" that attracts groundhogs very well.^{[7]
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Set it so that it stays open for the first few days, so that the groundhog will get used to it and feel safe going inside to get the bait. After 3 or so days, change the setting so that the door will close behind the groundhog next time it wanders inside.
If you are using a live trap, it is inhumane to leave the animal in a trap without water and exposed to the elements for long periods of time. Make sure that you remove the animal from your property shortly after it has been caught.

Part 3

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Setting it Free

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This will calm the animal down so you can go about the business of transporting it.^{[8]
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Choose a wooded area far enough away from your property that it won't return - at least 10 miles (16 km). The area should offer plenty of shade and have an easily accessible water source. Speak to local law enforcement or to an area conservation office to find out the best place to release the groundhog. There may be laws dictating where it should be released.^{[9]
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3
Release the groundhog. Set the trap down when you find the appropriate location, remove the sheet and open the door. Make sure you allow yourself enough time for the groundhog to remove itself from the trap on its own accord.^{[10]
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- Do not get too close to the groundhog. Groundhogs' teeth are quite sharp, and you could end up with a bad bite if you aren't careful.

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When do groundhogs eat?

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They eat in the early morning and late afternoon, typically.

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How long do they live?

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About 80% of groundhogs die before they are 1 year old, while others live for 2 to 3 years. They can live for up to 10 years in captivity.

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Can woodchucks live in brush piles?

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Typically no, although they might investigate brush piles while looking for food. If you notice a woodchuck frequenting a brush pile, try setting a live trap nearby for a few days.

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Tips

Don't forget the bungee. Attach it to the release of the live trap, so that when you open the trap to free the critter, you can stay as far back as possible from it attempting to get out. This will avoid possible bites or scratches.

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Wash the groundhog trap between trappings because caged animals can urinate themselves, which in turn leaves an odor on the trap.

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Maintain your lawn and install chicken wire or wire mesh around your garden area as follow up measures to keep groundhogs away from your plants. Proper lawn maintenance helps you remove potential hiding places, and fencing keeps the animals away from your plants.

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Warnings

Similar to many other animals, woodchucks or groundhogs carry disease. Be careful to not get bitten or scratched. If you do, see your doctor for a check-up.

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