Use This Juicy Kitchen Ingredient To Humanely Get Rid Of Groundhogs

Mention the word groundhog to any gardener and you're sure to be met with groans. These voracious rodents often burrow under sheds and barns and can devour up to a pound and a half of plant matter in a single day. Left unchecked, this can spell disaster in the garden, so it's a relief to learn that the humble apple may be all you need to bid farewell to these pesky woodchucks, as they are also called.

If you've already tried everything you can to keep groundhogs out of your yard and it's just not working, the most humane way to get rid of them is by using a catch-and-release style box trap like the ones from Havahart. These metal traps can be easily baited with apples, peaches, cantaloupe, and lettuce — all favorites of your neighborhood garden menace. Just be sure to check the traps regularly, since being inside a cage can make the animal become anxious. Once caught, it's easy to transport the groundhog to a new location that's far from your property.

Once the apple has worked to lure your groundhog into the trap — now what? It's important to remember that this is a live and unpredictable animal so taking the proper safety precautions is important.

Before moving a groundhog yourself, check with your local wildlife control to see what is allowed in your state, as some stipulate just how far it can go, if it can be moved at all. Once cleared for relocation, select a new home that is far enough away from your house, garden, and any other residential areas or farms. Recommendations differ on how far away to move the groundhog. Trap manufacturer Havahart states that five miles is ideal, while Wildlife Animal Control says that closer to 20 miles away is preferred.

Professional Wildlife Removal recommends draping a heavy blanket over the trap to help keep the groundhog calm in transport. You should also wear closed toe shoes, heavy work gloves, and thick, sturdy clothes to protect yourself in case of a scratch or bite. If you don't have a truck available to you, it's a good idea to put the trap on top of washable blankets in case the critter has an accident in your car. Then it's just a matter of opening the trap and ushering the groundhog into its new home. To keep things pest-free going forward, consider some other ways to keep groundhogs out of your garden.