What type of bait should you use to catch a woodchuck?

The most effective way to catch a woodchuck is by using a baited live trap. You will need to buy a 32 to 42-inch trap to safely catch a woodchuck, any smaller and the woodchuck will not have room to completely enter the trap rendering it useless. Traps can be purchased online from many animal trapping websites and range in price from $60-$100. Both 1-door and 2-door traps have proven to be equally effective for catching woodchucks, however, non-professionals are usually advised to use a 2-door model.

Why is bait important?

To put it simply, an un-baited trap is practically useless. An animal will not enter an unknown and caged area without some persuading. Effective bait is usually a food that the animal you are wanting to trap is known to like. This will differ from species to species, so it is important you do your research before proceeding to bait your trap. A bait’s purpose is to lure the animal safely into the trap and to engage the trap’s trigger.

The most effective bait for woodchucks

The best bait to lure woodchucks into your trap is the fruit and vegetables that they have likely been stealing from your garden. Alternatively, woodchucks have a heavy diet of herbaceous plants or vegetables and sweet fruits including:

  • Cantaloupe (proven most effective)
  • Raspberries
  • Mulberries
  • Strawberries
  • Peaches
  • Sweetcorn
  • Peas
  • String beans
  • Wild Lettuce

Woodchucks have also been found to be attracted to peanut butter which can be spread in and around the trap.

There are also baits that you can purchase that are specifically aimed at luring woodchucks:

Pro Pest woodchuck/groundhog lure

A non-toxic and pet-safe bait designed specifically to attract woodchucks into a pre-set trap. It comes as a paste and can be spread in and around the trap. It is used as an alternative to peanut butter to avoid any allergens, making this product safe for those with a peanut allergy.

Blackie’s Blend: Berry Sweet

Another non-toxic product with a paste-like consistency. It gives off a very sweet fruity aroma and can attract groundhogs if spread around the burrow and in the trap.

Vanilla extract

This might seem like an odd choice, but woodchucks find the sweet aroma of vanilla irresistible. Its liquid form makes it easy to apply in and around traps with the benefit of smelling pleasant. It would be wise to purchase alcohol-free vanilla so as not to harm any pets (particularly dogs as they cannot break down alcohol) that may come into contact with it.

Tips for handling and using bait

There is no guarantee that your bait will lure a woodchuck into your trap. Trapping any animal takes patience, perseverance, and trial and error. Here are some useful tips to help you successfully bait and catch a woodchuck in a live trap:

Wear gloves

Always wear gloves when setting up your live trap and handling bait. This will avoid any transfer of human scent which will deter the woodchuck from being lured and entering the live trap.

Trap placement and camouflage

Baiting your trap will be futile if you haven’t placed your trap in a good location. The most effective trap locations are near to the woodchuck’s burrow or somewhere you know it frequents or causes damage. Professionals suggest that traps should be placed 5-10 feet from the entrance of the burrow. It’s also important to place it on an even and level surface to ensure stability. Once you’ve found a good location to set your trap the next step is to camouflage it with natural materials including dirt, twigs, branches, and leaves. This will make the trap look safe and inviting.

Bait positioning

Badly positioned bait could allow the woodchuck to enter and eat the bait without triggering the trap and evading capture. To avoid this and increase the chance of capture wear gloves and position the bait above or beyond the trigger plate. It’s important that you consider your trap type as both require different bait positioning to achieve maximum effectiveness. 

For 1-door traps place the bait at the back end of the trap furthest away from the door, beyond the trigger plate. Bait for 2-door traps needs to be placed in the center on the trigger plate. You can either place the bait directly on the trigger plate or use string to hang it above it. This will force the woodchuck to stand on and activate the trigger plate. Also, make sure to place the bait away from the trap walls to avoid the woodchucks stealing it.

Make a bait trail

Identify the woodchucks burrow and use gloves to place a small amount of bait nearby. Then create a trail leading to the baited live trap. This will help lure and lead the woodchuck directly to your trap and give it a taste of the bait within. It may also reduce the woodchuck’s anxiety about the trap and trick it into entering.

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