How To Trap A Groundhog: 12 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Trap a Groundhog PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Luke Lewis

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Approved

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  • Planning to Trap
    • |
  • Trapping the Groundhog
    • |
  • Setting it Free
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Luke Lewis. Luke Lewis is a Pest Management Expert and the Founder and President of Native Pest Management. Luke has led his company for over 7 years and specializes in pet-friendly and eco-friendly pest control, termite control, and lawn care. Native Pest Management was named as one of Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies in America. Luke holds both BS and MS degrees from the University of Florida and is a graduate of UF's Pest Management University. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 433,478 times.

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.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Planning to Trap

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  1. Step 1 Decide what type of trap to use. 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] 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. Step 2 Set the trap in the early spring. 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]
    • 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. Step 3 Find a groundhog hole. 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]
    • 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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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Trapping the Groundhog

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  1. Step 1 Wash the trap. 1 Wash the trap. 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]
  2. Step 2 Anchor the trap. 2 Anchor the trap. 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]
  3. Step 3 Conceal the trap. 3 Conceal the trap. 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]
  4. Step 4 Bait the trap. 4 Bait the trap. 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]
  5. Step 5 Set the trap to stay open at first. 5 Set the trap to stay open at first. 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.
  6. Step 6 Check the trap regularly. 6 Check the trap regularly. 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.
    7. Advertisement
Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Setting it Free

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  1. Step 1 Cover your trap with a cloth sheet after you have caught your groundhog. 1 Cover your trap with a cloth sheet after you have caught your groundhog. This will calm the animal down so you can go about the business of transporting it.[8]
  2. Step 2 Transport the animal to its new location. 2 Transport the animal to its new location. 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]
  3. Step 3 Release the groundhog. 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]
    • 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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Community Q&A

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  • Question When do groundhogs eat? Community Answer Community Answer They eat in the early morning and late afternoon, typically. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 28
  • Question How long do they live? Community Answer Community Answer 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 29
  • Question Can woodchucks live in brush piles? Community Answer Community Answer 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. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 22
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Video

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. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
  • Wash the groundhog trap between trappings because caged animals can urinate themselves, which in turn leaves an odor on the trap. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 4
  • 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. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 5
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 14
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Things You'll Need

  • Wire animal trap
  • Mild or unscented dish soap
  • Rubber gloves
  • Cloth sheet

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/scrap-trap-when-evicting-wildlife
  2. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-groundhogs
  3. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-groundhogs
  4. ↑ https://mdc.mo.gov/wildlife/nuisance-problem-species/groundhog-control
  5. ↑ https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/nuisance-wildlife/trapping
  6. ↑ https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/nuisance-wildlife/trapping
  7. ↑ https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/nuisance-wildlife/trapping
  8. ↑ https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/nuisance-wildlife/trapping
  9. ↑ https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/damage
More References (1)
  1. ↑ https://www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/Pages/NuisanceWildlife.aspx

About This Article

Luke Lewis Co-authored by: Luke Lewis Pest Management Expert This article was co-authored by Luke Lewis. Luke Lewis is a Pest Management Expert and the Founder and President of Native Pest Management. Luke has led his company for over 7 years and specializes in pet-friendly and eco-friendly pest control, termite control, and lawn care. Native Pest Management was named as one of Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies in America. Luke holds both BS and MS degrees from the University of Florida and is a graduate of UF's Pest Management University. This article has been viewed 433,478 times. 29 votes - 100% Co-authors: 26 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 433,478 Categories: Featured Articles | Rodent Control Article SummaryX

To trap a groundhog, start by getting a live trap and cleaning it with dish soap to remove the scent of humans. Next, place the trap near the entrance of the groundhog hole, making sure to wear rubber gloves to avoid transferring your scent back to it. Then, bait the trap with lettuce, carrots, and celery, and set it up to stay open so the groundhog gets used to going inside it. After 3 days, set the trap to close once the groundhog walks in. Afterwards, check the trap frequently to ensure that the groundhog isn’t left inside it for too long. For more advice, including how to set the groundhog free after trapping it, keep reading. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Truman Curtis

    Truman Curtis

    Jun 28, 2018

    "I have tried everything to get rid of the groundhogs in my garden. This product is worth it's weight in gold...." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Luke Lewis Co-authored by: Luke Lewis Pest Management Expert Co-authors: 26 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 433,478 100% of readers found this article helpful. 29 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Truman Curtis

Truman Curtis

Jun 28, 2018

"I have tried everything to get rid of the groundhogs in my garden. This product is worth it's weight in gold...." more Judy Peter

Judy Peter

Apr 26, 2016

"We have live trap, but needed to know the best bait. Also, your comments about anchor rocks to hold cage still was..." more Laura Briskman-Ferguson

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Aug 15, 2017

"Did not know to leave the trap opened the first few days. I have done this before and setting the humane trap is..." more Rated this article: Ivan Burnett

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