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How to use one-way exclusion funnels to remove groundhogs without trapping them



One-way exclusion is a method where you will remove groundhogs from your home or your office without traps while at the same time ensuring that they will not return. In essence, this is a system with one door so a groundhog can enter it but will not be able to get back because the door will close shut behind it. One-way exclusion is usually used by professionals from wildlife companies, but you will also encounter several amateur models made to resemble these systems. The most important part of this system is the one-way exclusion part, i.e. the fact that you are not trapping an animal; you are letting it pass out and then disabling it from getting back in. Of course, this is always risky business with groundhogs since they are so great at digging, so they can easily dig under obstacles you might place in an effort to disable return. Motivation will be especially high in the case of nursing female groundhogs that have babies in the den you excluded them from. This is why it is very important to make sure that you are not using a one-way exclusion funnel in a case of nursing mothers with small groundhogs, but to be sure that youngsters are old enough to go outside after their mother.

Before putting a one-way exclusion funnel into use, it is important to cover all other possible entry/exit points so that the animal can enter only the funnel. This is also important from the aspect of possible return, i.e. you need to do everything in your power to close all possible return entrances onto your property, or all the trouble will be in vain.

If you want to use a one-way exclusion funnel with a groundhog, you will also need to include a live trap that will motivate the groundhog to enter without getting injured so you can safely remove it afterwards. Mesh wiring should be used to protect the property afterwards, because mesh wire makes it difficult for groundhogs to dig under it, and will definitely de-motivate a groundhog from trying to get in your garden or on your property afterwards.

Go back to the How to Get Rid of Groundhogs page or email us if you have any other questions about How to use one-way exclusion funnels to remove groundhogs without trapping them