Q&A for How to Trap a Groundhog

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  • Question
    When do groundhogs eat?
    Community Answer
    They eat in the early morning and late afternoon, typically.
  • Question
    How long do they live?
    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.
  • Question
    Can woodchucks live in brush piles?
    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.
  • Question
    What time of day do I put out a trap for a groundhog?
    Community Answer
    Set the trap out any time after sunup; be sure to spring it before dark, or all you will catch are possums or raccoons.
  • Question
    Do groundhogs have more than one set of pups per year?
    Community Answer
    Groundhogs have one litter of pups per year. They typically get pregnant around mid-February and have a litter of two to nine pups 31-33 days later. The pups will stay in the den until they are about five months old, then will leave to start their own dens.
  • Question
    If a groundhog escaped from a trap, will it enter the trap again?
    Community Answer
    It could. Maybe not right away, but a week or so later, if there is new food in the trap.
  • Question
    When do groundhogs have their young?
    Chris Shay
    Community Answer
    Typically in mid-March, but they won't leave the den until they are 4-5 months old. Then they start a new den.
  • Question
    How do I set the trap to keep the door open?
    Community Answer
    You could use a dowel stick, or a small metal rod or metal coat hanger threaded under the door through the sides of the cage. This is also important when you release the critter, if he does not want to leave the cage. Open the door, slip the rod through the sides under the open door and walk away
  • Question
    What happens to the pups in the den if a groundhog mother is relocated?
    Community Answer
    If they are not weaned, they will starve. A predator might also find them if their mother is not there to protect them. The father may watch over them, but he cannot nurse them.
  • Question
    What bait should I use for groundhogs?
    Community Answer
    Kale, carrots, lettuce, and almost any veggies and fruits. If you find it in a person's garden, a groundhog will eat it.
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