Forget about woodchuck repellants, deterrents, mothballs and sprinkling coyote urine around the yard. These are foolish practices and will provide temporary relief if any at all. In order to solve a woodchuck problem for any amount of time they must be trapped and removed from your property. Before using a live trap, you must ensure that the wild animal you are dealing with is a woodchuck. This will ensure that you are using the correct bait and strategies. As with most critters, groundhogs actually have some benefit, if you can learn to live with them in peace.
Best Baits for Groundhogs – Attract and Trap These Vermins
Once you have captured a woodchuck in your live trap, check with your local authorities to ensure you correctly relocate the animal. Place a towel over the cage to avoid frightening the woodchuck. Once you have relocated far enough, carefully open the trap and release the animal. You can read more about releasing an animal from a live trap here.
Stay tuned, and let’s dive into the world of rock chuck control. Any of the baits stated above, such as apples, cantaloupes, etc., can be a great way to lure out the groundhog and then trap it inside the cage. Electronic repellents (including water sprayers, sound machines, solar-powered spikes, etc.) are placed to effectively drive away groundhogs from your property. This is because they love fresh vegetables and fruits that can be easily used to lure the animal inside the cage. Females typically produce 3-5 pups per litter so as spring turns to summer, they’re food requirements can become quite substantial. Especially in dry arid regions where succulent plant food is limited.
In such areas, rock chucks will travel as far as is needed to find food. Rock chucks will readily claim several acres for their territory. And they’re proven comfortable traveling fxdd review great distances to find food.
Many times, the services will be categorized under the wildlife & animal control specialist, which may incur a fee in the range of $30 to $40 per hour. Most of these work on the premise of motion sensors, and at times a groundhog is found close to your yard. You can purchase a fumigant and use it on the burrows of the groundhogs.
Why We’re Against Killing Groundhogs
If you don’t have time to mess with baiting, try repelling them instead. It is important to check local wildlife regulations before trapping rock chucks. Ever dealt with a troublesome rock chuck turning your lovely garden upside down? Known also as yellow-bellied marmots, these digging pests can really mess things up, tearing through your plants and creating a whole lot of mess. Now if the burrow is on your property, the LT111236BD live trap might be the way to go.
Setting it Free
A trapped rock chuck should be safely relocated at least five miles away from your property into a suitable habitat. I have been working as a pest removal professional in Winslow, Arizona lately. At present, I love to spend my time with my family as a retiree. These are simple granules of lethal poison that can be sprinkled outside the holes and tunnels where groundhogs will eat them. For this reason, can use these smells around the groundhog tunnels and holes as a highly effective repellent.
For this reason, we have both options available as a way to deter and chase them from the yard. Colonies can support individuals and though they’ll hibernate during cold winters, plus500 review marmots can remain active during this time if temps are mild. Ultra Sound Repellers will work fine by themselves as long as you have a good place to set them up.
MARMOT REPELLENTS
This method captures rock chucks without causing them any harm. To make this method effective, your choice of trap and its placement are crucial. You can use a cage trap designed exness broker reviews specifically for larger rodents. It’s designed to reduce stress on the animal and allows safe, easy release. Tired of your garden turning into a playground for rock chucks? Apart from using natural deterrents and modifying your garden, you also have the option to safely remove them from your property.
What Does a Groundhog Sound Like?
They are intelligent animals who are active during the day. Their teeth grow every week, which means they constantly need to chew something. Their diet consists of berries, grass, and other vegetation. Woodchucks are burrowing animals and will create burrows for areas to sleep. If you want to catch a woodchuck with a live trap, read this guide for instructions and product recommendations. Speaking of burrows, groundhog burrows act like animal hotels, and the groundhog will often allow foxes, skunks, and other critters to share its residence.
- Our Best Groundhog Trap Food pick from C&S stores is a great choice shown to be effective.
- They do not like the sound and will stay away from where its heard.
- You want the woodchuck to enter the live trap with the help of bait.
- And if 2 oz per gallon isn’t strong enough, mix 4 oz per gallon.
- They often contain potent substances, such as capsaicin, the active component of chili peppers, or garlic oil, both of which can discourage rock chucks.
- It features a “bottom entry” doorway which can be placed directly over their entrance/exit hole.
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- If you set the machine to always on which is the “Constant” setting, turn the “Sonic Volume” to the far left which will eliminate audible sound.
- After 3 days, set the trap to close once the groundhog walks in.
- There are electronic sprinklers on the market which are motion activated, such as the popular Orbit Yard Enforcer.
- PA SPRAY is made with all natural organic essential oils and gets mixed with water.
- They are made with a mix of different chemicals that attract groundhogs and other animals.
Other common nicknames include land beaver and whistle pig. Groundhogs really are fascinating and intelligent creatures that keep a tidy home. A new burrow can be created literally overnight and is surprisingly large.
Using poisons or shooting a groundhog might seem a viable option, but an injured groundhog is a dangerous one. Covering the trap in mud can be a good way to begin the camo process. Place the trap up against the den entrance and stick your bait in as far back as possible to ensure the groundhog is fully inside.
This is to prevent woodchucks from climbing the fence or digging under it. You will need to check the traps twice a day, preferably once in the morning and once in the evening. Checking the trap frequently may dissuade woodchucks from approaching the trap.
Rock chucks are skilled climbers and burrowers, so you’ll need to design the fence accordingly. Use durable materials like galvanized chicken wire or hardware cloth to ensure longevity. Once you have identified rock chuck activity in your garden, it is time to move onto prevention measures. Yellow-bellied marmots may dig up plants, but they also feed on them.