Do you have a groundhog that is ruining your garden? Marmots are fond of vegetables and legumes, so many gardeners and farmers think that capturing them is the best solution to protect the garden. If you want to catch a marmot you need to know its habits, lure it out of the den and make sure it catches the bait. It is not easy, but then the vegetables from your garden will be able to grow again freely. See step one to learn how to catch and then free these rodents.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Designing the Trap
Step 1. Decide what kind of trap to use
There are two types of marmot traps: those that kill the animal immediately and those that keep it alive so that it can be released later in another area. Since killing traps are dangerous to use and often end up killing other animals, including pets, they are considered illegal in many areas. The safest and most tolerated are those that attract the marmot to a cage which then closes and traps the animal. These are found in garden supply stores and can be reused when needed.
- If, on the other hand, you prefer a trap that kills the marmot, then rely on professionals who can position it correctly and treat the marmot once it has been captured. This is not a recommended solution if you have animals that can roam around the trap.
- Releasing marmots is also illegal in some areas. If this is the case, it is best to call a veterinary assistance service to have the animal available.
Step 2. Set the trap in early spring
It is a period in which the marmots are active but have not yet given birth to the cubs. Trapping them before they reproduce will save you from dealing with 4 other marmots. Another advantage of placing the traps in spring is that the tunnels are still visible, as there are no leaves covering them. Finally, groundhogs are very hungry in the spring as their favorite foods have not yet sprouted. This means that they will be easily attracted to the bait.
- Plan to catch in the spring, before the flowers and leaves have fully blossomed.
- Marmots can also be caught in autumn.
Step 3. Find the hole in a marmot's lair
The best place to put a trap is near the entrance to a den. You need to find a place where the earth on the surface is loose and follow it to a hole or a dug place. The trap will be placed about 2 meters from the hole to make sure it is easily accessible.
Determine which spot is the most frequented by marmots by looking for footprints, tracks or where you have suffered the most damage to your crops. Choose the holes you find in this area for traps
Part 2 of 3: Trap the Groundhog
Step 1. Wash the trap
Clean it well with a mild or unscented soap to remove all traces of human odor. A groundhog is more likely to approach if they can't smell you. From this point on, handle the trap with gloves to avoid passing your scent.
Step 2. Set the trap
Anchor the trap on the ground with a weight so that it does not move when the animal enters. The movement could scare the groundhog who would not go all the way in and would not be trapped. You can hold it steady by placing a large rock in the back or stones on top of the trap.
Step 3. Hide the trap
Groundhogs are unlikely to get into a shiny new trap. You'll have a better chance if you hide it by covering it with greenery, such as branches and leaves. You can also hide the metal with a burlap sack or pieces of wood.
Step 4. Put the bait in the trap
Sprinkle some vegetables, such as lettuce, carrots and celery, inside the trap. Choose vegetables from your garden that the groundhog likes. There are also specific products that are used to attract marmots.
Step 5. Prepare the trap so that at first it remains open
Prepare it so that it stays open for the first few days so that the groundhog gets used to it and feels safe entering it. After about 3 days, change it so that it closes as soon as the marmot is inside.
Step 6. Check the trap regularly
If you use a trap that leaves the animal alive, it is inhumane to leave the groundhog in the trap without water and exposed to the elements for a long time. Make sure you remove the animal shortly after it has been captured.
Part 3 of 3: Freeing the Animal
Step 1. Cover the trap with a tarp after capturing the groundhog
This will calm the animal so that you can transport it.
Step 2. Transport the animal to a new place
Choose a wooded area far enough away from your property, so that it can never return - at least 15 kilometers. The area should offer plenty of shade and an easily accessible water source. Talk to local authorities to find the safest place to release a groundhog. There may be rules governing its release.
Step 3. Free the groundhog
Put the trap down once you find the right place, remove the tarp and open it. Wait long enough for the groundhog to come out of its own accord.
Don't get too close. Groundhogs have sharp teeth, and if you're not careful you could get bitten
Advice
- Wash the trap for marmots between captures as trapped animals could urinate and leave their scent.
- Maintain the lawn and install a wire mesh around the garden as a next measure to keep groundhogs away from plants. Careful lawn maintenance will help you remove hiding places, and a fence will keep animals away from plants.
