Groundhogs in DANGER!!

[Frickster]

I need someone's help in the Fredericksburg VA area or somewhere near or WHOEVER! I know someone who is looking to exterminate 4 groundhogs (a mama and her 3 babies) because she says they are damaging her home. She has tried animal control and the game warden, who fortunately won't help. If ANYONE can help with this situation it would be wonderful! I am NOT a rehabber but if someone will trap and someone will let them live somewhere, I will gladly help with the transport or whatever. It just breaks me heart to this of this mama and her little ones killed!!! I am not friends with this person so don't want to push until I have a solution. I offered to call some rehabbers, but really only know a couple - all in other states. I've seen great things done on here and QUICKLY - so this is the first place I thought of. Her last response was "they're rodents, they have to go asap!" :help PLEASE!

[stosh2010]

I need someone's help in the Fredericksburg VA area or somewhere near or WHOEVER! I know someone who is looking to exterminate 4 groundhogs (a mama and her 3 babies) because she says they are damaging her home. She has tried animal control and the game warden, who fortunately won't help. If ANYONE can help with this situation it would be wonderful! I am NOT a rehabber but if someone will trap and someone will let them live somewhere, I will gladly help with the transport or whatever. It just breaks me heart to this of this mama and her little ones killed!!! I am not friends with this person so don't want to push until I have a solution. I offered to call some rehabbers, but really only know a couple - all in other states. I've seen great things done on here and QUICKLY - so this is the first place I thought of. Her last response was "they're rodents, they have to go asap!" :help PLEASE!

BUMP--BUMP--BUMP--

[Shewhosweptforest]

They can relocate here....I live on a large piece of land with a field out back. :dono they'd have plenty of room...only problem is I have no idea how you would capture them....also I don't know what kind of stress that would put on the mother and if she would hurt her babies out of fear and stress....I know we've all seen that here with squirrels....I'm willing to help and I have a place to release....we just need someone who knows how to do it properly:thumbsup

I'm about an hour to hour and a half from Fredericksburg :grin2

[stepnstone]

I have done a few groundhog relocations, even have one set to take care of in the coming week.
With the right size Hav-a-heart designed for and big enough for groundhogs it is not difficult.
They will generally follow a line when leaving the den such as along side a shed, house, fence or post line or where yard and woods meet, this is where I'll place my trap. I put cardboard in the bottom before and after the trigger plate and cover with dirt and grass so it feels natural and they don't walk on the wire. I bait with radishes always which they really seem to go for and often also use bell peppers, squash and apple in addition.
Animal Control in some areas will often even loan one a trap, worth checking into if you don't have access to a trap. I have always told them I have a possum living in my basement I need to relocate rather then say I'm trying to trap a groundhog. Seems I've had better cooperation that way in the past, now I have my own traps.

Stress versus extermination, I know which I would choose...

[Unikorngrrl]

I have done a few groundhog relocations, even have one set to take care of in the coming week.
With the right size Hav-a-heart designed for and big enough for groundhogs it is not difficult.
They will generally follow a line when leaving the den such as along side a shed, house, fence or post line or where yard and woods meet, this is where I'll place my trap. I put cardboard in the bottom before and after the trigger plate and cover with dirt and grass so it feels natural and they don't walk on the wire. I bait with radishes always which they really seem to go for and often also use bell peppers, squash and apple in addition.
Animal Control in some areas will often even loan one a trap, worth checking into if you don't have access to a trap. I have always told them I have a possum living in my basement I need to relocate rather then say I'm trying to trap a groundhog. Seems I've had better cooperation that way in the past, now I have my own traps.

Stress versus extermination, I know which I would choose...

:goodpost:goodpost

[Frickster]

They can relocate here....I live on a large piece of land with a field out back. :dono they'd have plenty of room...only problem is I have no idea how you would capture them....also I don't know what kind of stress that would put on the mother and if she would hurt her babies out of fear and stress....I know we've all seen that here with squirrels....I'm willing to help and I have a place to release....we just need someone who knows how to do it properly:thumbsup

I'm about an hour to hour and a half from Fredericksburg :grin2


Where are you? If someone who knew what they were doing could get them, I'd have no problem driving them to you!!

[pappy1264]

Thank you, Step! Praying for this family!!!

[Frickster]

StepnStone - I just saw you were in MD, what part?

[Shewhosweptforest]

:wave I live half way between Richmond and Williamsburg ....if Step can do this I will help in any way:thumbsup Here's a pic of the field behind my house ....It's surrounded by woods and then a creek....so no one will ever bother them againtinfoil :Love_Icon

[Frickster]

If someone will just get them, I will bring them to you or meet you somewhere or whatever....that looks like a wonderful place for them! :)

[stepnstone]

Your talking about a family of groundhogs which is going to take trapping over several days.
Traps will need to be carefully monitored as you don't want one left in a trap for long periods.
A holding cage such as a dog crate/cage would suffice for holding several groundhogs until
they can be relocated to a safe area.
I'm in Maryland, close to Baltimore, I can offer advise but what I can't do is be camping out that
far down in Va. as I'm under my own obligations here. It don't take rocket science but needs to be
accomplished by one that's going to be in the area and able to monitor the trap(s).

[TubeDriver]

I have a medium sized Hav-a-hart trap that I can offer to loan out. It is on the smallish size for a full grown groundhog but could easily catch babies. I am in MD near DC. As Stepnstone said, it is not that hard to trap an animal. Lay trap where you have seen them, bait it and wait. Check on the trap a couple times a day. Maybe placing two traps next to each other will insure that if you get the momma, the babies are more likely to get caught up in the second trap? I work full time too so I can't hang out waiting for the traps but will be happy to loan you my trap if you need it.

Maybe you can convince your neighbor to give you a week to try and trap them? Let me know what the plan is.

[Shewhosweptforest]

Step will they not stress out while waiting....I can help out on Tuesday....I have babies too so I have limited time...I can bring my possies :dono...I'm pretty sure I still have a medium size dog crate...I'll check..unfortunately no Hav-a-heart-trap...so TubeDriver that would be great if we could borrow yours....I sure hope we can pull this off. Monday I have Doctor appts. I can't change :sorry

[Frickster]

I have small dog/cat sized carrier that could be used if needed. My dogs are HUGE though and don't use crates. The carrier was a leftover from helping out with a cat re-home. The house the groundhogs are at is in Ladysmith - not really sure WHERE that is, but I know it's not terribly far from me. She is not my neighbor....if she was, it'd be a lot easier because if traps were set, I could monitor them with no problem.

[Jackie in Tampa]

my animal control doesn't loan traps BUT my Humane Society does....
so if one won't try the other too.
Good luck on this... I hope it goes smooth...
Havahart traps sell for $30-$40 usually, Home Depot, Lowes Sears Feed Stores

:thumbsup

[TubeDriver]

I can bring my trap over on Sunday late afternoon or possible after work on Monday or Tuesday. I also live not too far from StepnStone if that helps anything in terms of collecting gear etc?