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A live cage trap can remove a groundhog from beneath a porch, deck, shed or other building, but trapping is only the middle of the job. First confirm that trapping and the animal’s final disposition are lawful where you live. Do not seal or block a burrow until you know the animal—and any young—are out. After vacancy is confirmed, install a durable barrier so another groundhog cannot move in.
Start with the law and a legal disposition plan
Rules differ sharply by state and locality. A trap that is legal to set may not give you permission to transport or release the animal elsewhere. Check your current state wildlife agency rules, local ordinances and any required permits before buying bait or setting a trap.
| Jurisdictional example | What the cited agency says | Practical consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | Indiana Department of Natural Resources guidance says groundhogs may be live-trapped without a permit, but release on another property requires permission from that landowner or property manager. | You need a lawful receiving property and the owner’s permission before moving the animal. |
| North Carolina | The Wildlife Resources Commission restricts trapping to its regulated season unless a free depredation permit is obtained. Its guidance states, “Groundhogs cannot be relocated in North Carolina.” The cited FAQ says a groundhog trapped under depredation circumstances must be humanely euthanized at the capture site or at a facility under the applicable state rule. | Do not plan an out-of-area release. Confirm the current season, permit status and required humane disposition before trapping. |
| Michigan | Michigan Department of Natural Resources says woodchucks may be live-trapped but may not be moved off the property where they were captured. | A trap does not authorize transport to a park, farm or another neighborhood. |
These are examples, not a nationwide rule. If you cannot identify a lawful outcome for a captured animal, use a licensed nuisance-wildlife control operator instead of setting the trap.
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Groundhog burrow systems can have several entrances. Blocking the hole you can see may trap the animal underground or cause it to open another entrance. Before exclusion, inspect the entire perimeter of the building for additional openings and signs of recent use such as fresh soil, tracks or clipped vegetation.
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Leave every suspected entrance open while an animal may still be inside. If you cannot inspect the space safely, or the building has inaccessible voids, have a wildlife professional assess it.
Choose and position the cage trap
Trap size and construction
Use a clean live-capture cage trap designed for an animal of groundhog size. Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ 2024 nuisance-wildlife-control manual lists 32 x 10 x 13 inches as a recommended groundhog live/cage-trap size. That dimension is manual-specific guidance, not a universal legal requirement; follow your state’s rules and the trap manufacturer’s instructions.
Bait and placement
Missouri Department of Conservation recommends fresh fruit or vegetables, including apple, cantaloupe, broccoli or cauliflower. Place the cage close to the active burrow entrance without blocking it. The trap should sit level and be stable enough that it will not tip when the animal enters.
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Pre-baiting and daylight timing
University of Maryland Extension recommends leaving the trap unset with bait available for several days so the groundhog becomes accustomed to it. When you arm it, set it near the entrance just before daylight. Missouri advises closing or disabling the trap at night to reduce non-target captures; Maryland advises removing it before dark. Treat these as source-specific practices, not a guarantee of capture.
Set, monitor and handle the trap responsibly
- Confirm the legal plan. Know the permit, season, transport and disposition requirements before setting the trap.
- Inspect for other occupants. Look for signs of young, pets and non-target wildlife. Do not trap if you cannot determine whether dependent young are in the den.
- Pre-bait if appropriate. Follow the Maryland Extension approach of offering bait in an unset trap for several days.
- Arm the trap at the recommended time. Place it beside—not across—the entrance, with fresh produce secured beyond the trigger plate.
- Check it frequently during daylight. A caged animal is exposed to weather, heat, cold and stress. Follow local checking intervals and never leave a captured animal unattended.
- Keep the trap closed or removed overnight. This follows the Missouri and Maryland guidance intended to limit non-target captures.
- Follow the prearranged disposition. Do not improvise a release location or transport route after capture.
If a pet, protected species or other non-target animal enters the trap, cover the cage if safe, keep people away and contact the appropriate wildlife authority or a licensed operator for instructions. Do not handle an unfamiliar animal yourself.
Account for young and seasonal conditions
University of Maryland Extension cautions against relocating groundhogs in spring, when young may remain in the den, and in autumn, when there may not be enough time for an animal to establish a winter den. North Carolina guidance likewise advises blocking entrances only when groundhogs are normally active and not likely to be raising young.
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Because a homeowner often cannot verify whether young are present, stop and call a local wildlife agency or licensed operator if you hear vocalizing, see a nursing female, or are unsure. Removing an adult while young remain can create a separate welfare problem inside the structure.
Confirm vacancy before installing exclusion
Only after the animal has been lawfully removed or you have confirmed that it has left should you close the den. Use observation and, where appropriate, temporary loose-fill monitoring at each opening to verify that no entrance is being used. Do not rely on a single hole; check the whole burrow system.
Fence small areas
North Carolina describes fencing as an exclusion option for small areas and buildings and suggests a fence about 3–4 feet high with a 1-foot underground footer. Treat those dimensions as that agency’s guidance, not a universal code requirement.
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- Kindly Note - We recommend checking with your local authorities to determine the trapping laws in your area before using a live trap.
Install buried wire mesh
Maine’s nuisance-wildlife fact sheet recommends heavy poultry wire or 2-inch mesh secured to the building and buried 10–12 inches. It describes bending the buried portion outward to discourage digging. These are Maine’s published recommendations; adapt materials to the site and local requirements.
Fasten mesh tightly to foundations, decks and shed walls, and close gaps around steps, utility penetrations and corners. A barrier that leaves one unprotected opening can simply redirect the next burrow.
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Decide whether to do it yourself or hire a professional
| Question | Self-managed trap | Licensed wildlife operator |
|---|---|---|
| Legal responsibility | You must verify permits, seasons, transport and final disposition. | The operator can apply local rules and arrange lawful handling within the service scope. |
| Den inspection | Works best when all entrances are visible and accessible. | Useful when the burrow extends under a slab, porch or shed and entrances are uncertain. |
| Young or non-target risk | You must identify and respond to those risks yourself. | Professional assessment is preferable when young may be present or species identification is uncertain. |
| Exclusion work | You install the post-removal mesh or fence yourself. | Ask whether exclusion and repair are included; licensing and services vary by location. |
Maine specifically identifies licensed nuisance-wildlife control operators as a resource. Hiring one is the prudent option when you lack a lawful disposition plan, cannot monitor a trap reliably, or cannot establish that the den is vacant.
Quick Recap
Common mistakes that make the problem worse
- Sealing the visible hole before checking for another entrance or an animal inside.
- Assuming live capture automatically permits relocation.
- Setting a trap without a legal plan for the captured groundhog.
- Leaving a trap armed overnight or unchecked in severe weather.
- Trapping in spring without considering dependent young.
- Installing mesh that is shallow, loose or missing around one side of the building.
A practical sequence for a building owner
- Map every opening and look for current activity.
- Check your state and local wildlife rules and obtain any required permit.
- Choose either a lawful self-managed disposition or a licensed operator.
- Pre-bait and set a clean cage trap beside the active entrance during the recommended daylight window.
- Monitor, close or remove the trap at night, and handle the captured animal only as the law allows.
- Verify that the entire den is vacant.
- Install a properly secured fence or buried wire-mesh barrier, then repair remaining structural gaps.
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