Also, their burrowing habits produce mounds of earth and burrow holes that present hazards. Damage Control 1. Wire fencing will help keep woodchucks out of nursery areas and small plantings. Bury the lower edge 10 to 12 inches deep in the soil to prevent burrowing under the fence. Because woodchucks are good climbers, the fence should be three to four feet high.
Live trapping is an effective method of reducing woodchuck numbers in a small area.
Live traps may be of the homemade type or wire mesh commercial variety. The opening for these traps should be eight inches square or larger. Live traps can be effectively baited with apples, carrots, lettuce or other green vegetables, preferably of the type the woodchucks are already eating. Traps should be placed at the burrow opening at dusk when the animal is in the den, in rows where damage is occurring or other areas the woodchucks frequently travel. Place guide logs on either side of the path between the burrow opening and the trap to funnel the woodchucks toward the trap.