“5 Effective Trapping Methods for Groundhogs – A Guide to Successful Groundhog Removal”
In spite of their cute appearance, groundhogs can swiftly turn into gardening villains when they set up shop in your vegetable patch and start munching their way through your crops. You might picture these creatures simply surfacing to determine the arrival of spring with their shadow. However, they’re able climbers and swimmers, extending their nefarious reach beyond just burrowing through your vegetable garden. Let’s delve into an optimal strategy to tackle this issue – Trapping groundhogs.
Getting to know these garden Invaders
Sharp critters that they are, groundhogs masterfully design their tunnel system with roughly 30 feet of chambers for sleeping, eating, hiding, and mating. Bifurcating their tunnel entrances, one part is for casual access and the other part – a quick escape route. The need for trapping groundhogs soars when they start stocking up on food for hibernation during the fall. Come spring, these creatures emerge with a litter of around four pups, and the cycle starts anew.
Pre-emptive steps
Fencing
Ahead of trapping groundhogs, deterring them from invading your property is the most straightforward strategy. Implementing fencing, especially around your vegetable garden, acts as a strong barrier. A two to three feet high mesh wire or chicken wire buried at least a foot into the ground should suffice. Remember, we’re dealing with diligent diggers, so the deeper the mesh goes into the earth, the more effective it will be.
Humane approach to Trapping Groundhogs
Live Traps
Employing live traps is a mercy-filled technique of getting a handle on groundhogs. Once you set up the trap, make sure to deactivate the door for a couple of days. It lures the critters into a false sense of comfort, making them easy targets for capturing later. Once you catch them, covering the cage with a cloth assists in transporting them safely to a wooded, shaded area.
Handy Trapping Tips
- Cleaning your trap is crucial. Ensure you use unscented dish soap and wear gloves while doing so. Groundhogs have sharp noses and can detect human scent, making them wary.
- Stabilize the trap on an even surface to prevent any wobble or movement. Groundhogs, averaging about 10 pounds, will avoid anything unstable.
- Using the groundhog’s preferred vegetables from your garden as bait, such as peas, beans, or fresh alfalfa, will make trapping groundhogs a breeze.
- Regular checks of your traps are imperative. This humane method aims to relocate the animal, not harm it. Also, at times, pets might wander into these traps too.
Remember always to clean the trap after every use.
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