Can One-Way Exclusion Funnels Be Used To Remove Groundhogs Without Trapping Them?

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The idea of an exclusion funnel is one that has been used successfully when dealing with other types of animals, but because of the nature of groundhogs and their burrows, it is very difficult to use one-way exclusion funnels to remove groundhogs. The biggest issue is that although other animals can have multiple exit points, these are usually holes in walls or other man made substances, whereas blocking off a groundhog tunnel will just mean the groundhog has to dig its way through. The fact that the entrance to the animal's burrow is usually soil and grass also makes it difficult to use these funnels effectively, as they are usually too easy to push out of the soil.



How Do These Funnels Work?

The theory behind using one-way exclusion funnels is that these little devices will allow pest animals to leave a particular area, but will then be sturdy enough to stop the animals from getting back in. When people are using these funnels in domestic properties, it will be vital to look for and find all of the exit points used by the animal, and then seal them so that the only exit the pest animal can use is through the funnel. Once all of the remaining animals are excluded, you can remove the funnels and seal those holes, permanently evicting the animal.

Why Are These Ineffective When Dealing With Groundhogs?

In order to be successful, the entry that the one-way exclusion funnel is being installed over needs to have a firm surface, while the soil in the garden isn't firm enough to hold the groundhog in place. The method also requires the pest animal not to be able to dig a new entry into the nest, which a groundhog can do to get back inside the burrow.

Alternative Methods Of Removing Groundhogs

When it comes to actually getting rid of groundhogs infesting your yard or garden, trapping is the best way of dealing with the animal, as it prevents the creature from escaping. Live trapping using a cage trap can be effective, but has the drawback that you will have to relocate the animal, while lethal trapping means you will have to come into contact with the carcass of the animal to remove it. Once the groundhogs are removed, you can then look at options such as improving the fencing or removing food sources to try and prevent other groundhogs from moving into your yard or garden.

Go back to the Groundhog Removal page.