I live in an area where I can't really shoot the groundhogs. They are absolutely destroying my yard, I don't really want to use poison because of other pets in the area.
by mtbguy1981
I live in an area where I can't really shoot the groundhogs. They are absolutely destroying my yard, I don't really want to use poison because of other pets in the area.
by mtbguy1981
15 Comments
You should take the possum out first, it might scare the groundhogs.
snap traps in the groundhog holes work better than anything.
Can you shoot them with a .22 caliber air rifle? But even a standard .177 can kill them. Maybe learn archery? Otherwise, I’d just google how to bait them into a live trap.
But know that if you release them elsewhere, they will become someone else’s problem. 😞
I’ve trapped them with apples, with the trap set next to their hole
Put it where the ground hogs are, near their den or their travel routes. Bait it with cantaloupe. Let the poor little possum out, they eat ticks.
As someone who just dealt with this:
Biggest thing is make sure the trap is in a place they go/in their walking path near their entrance.
Make sure it is shaded. They don’t like going into tight open spaces. Cover it with cardboard or a tarp to make it dark, and resemble a hole, and preferably place it in shade all day.
Bait it correctly. Some lettuce or other foods they would like.
Lastly, if you don’t want to deal with possums every morning, consider closing the traps at night. You’re far more likely to catch a possum or raccoon at night than you are a groundhog.
Piece of apple
Marigolds or fruitsnacks as bait, cover the trap with a blanket and make it looks like a den. If you can snare trap their den that could work too
Groundhogs love watermelon. I’ve trapped a bunch with it. You have to be patient it may take a day or two but eventually they all go for it. Put the trap near one of the burrows.
Just bought one of these two weeks ago. Our woodchuck was getting to the garden before I could. Not this year, Chucky! I used cantaloupe. He ate the pieces leading up to the trap the first night. The second night he went for the last piece inside. He is now residing a mile up the road!
Out of the ~25 ground squirrels I got last summer, I only trapped maybe 2. A .22 or mini crossbow is much more efficient. Try baiting the traps with carrots or lettuce, and placing them in shady areas they frequent. Hard to tell the size of the trap you have, cause we dont get possums, but try smaller ones to avoid catching things you dont want.
tomatoes. Groundhogs love tomatoes. I usually get 2 or 3 every year from my garden. Always what has worked for me is having a compost pile away from my garden where i toss food scraps. Groundhogs are lazy by nature and if the food is easier to get there, they will go there and i trap them off that way
Just shoot them when you see them
Ha, stop using delicious fruit that attracts every other animal. I think it is basil (maybe cilantro) that attracts groundhogs but not possums, raccoons, etc.
I used to work in wildlife management and caught countless groundhogs. I had the best luck with cut up green apples and cabbage with the trap placed right in front of the burrow. Its unfortunate if you got a smart one though, that can make you life a lot harder.