Groundhogs and their young are out.

This month we have had numerous calls about mother and baby groundhogs. The young are not afraid yet, and are eating a lot of gardens to the ground.

Though trapping them can be tricky as they can be difficult to get in a cage, we at Big Bear Wildlife Control have live-trapped and relocated several mothers and their young.

Groundhogs (alias: woodchucks) have a half-acre range, so if you see babies, their home is close by. Some people enjoy them, but a lot of the calls we get are from their neighbors because the groundhogs are causing a ruckus in their yards then going back home.

You can make your garden groundhog proof by putting a 1-foot-by-2-foot fence up with 1 inch buried into the ground like a “L.” This will stop them from digging under the fence to access the garden.

All of the groundhogs we catch are relocated to a nicer spot than the backyards where they were found. This is just another way to live with the animals around us.

Big Bear Wildlife Control is located in East Haven, Conn. As of June 11, 2012, this service provider was highly rated on Angie’s List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check AngiesList.com for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie’s List.