The Best Way to Catch Snapping Turtles Out of Ponds

Snapping turtles can be a real nuisance in any residential environment. Not only do they consume cute animals like baby ducks and geese, these prehistoric creatures can also be quite dangerous--especially if you have young children or small pets around. There are several methods for removing snapping turtles, but your best bet is to contact local wildlife control. You will avoid injuring both yourself and the turtles and ensure they never return.

  1. Trapping Snapping Turtles Yourself

    • The preferred method for removing snapping turtles in a pond is to set up a trap. Traps can be purchased online or at your local bait and tackle store. There are a number of different traps available on the market, including hoop nets, tunnel traps, and sinking traps--similar to lobster traps.
      According to turtle-trap.com, the sinking traps drown the turtle so removing them is easier, although it is decidedly less humane. The hoop net and tunnel traps, on the other hand, float above the water and keep the turtle alive. Choose the trap you think will work best for you.

      To set up the trap, place it in your pond near the area you think the turtles are living. Some traps require more set up than others. Just follow the instructions so you can get the most effective trap shape. Hoop nets are the easiest because you just attach the trap to strings on either end of the pond and pull it in when a turtle is trapped. Bait the trap using chunks of fish or raw meat. Check the trap often to see if you've made a catch.

      Once you've caught the turtle, place it carefully in a sturdy cardboard box and transport it to another body of water several miles from your house. Be extremely careful when handling the animal. Snapping turtles can do serious damage if they bite you.

    Professional Turtle Removal

    • To avoid the cost of buying a trap and the risk of handling a dangerous animal, call local wildlife authorities to have the animal removed. The Internet Center For Wildlife Damage Management recommends that you research local regulations before removing wild turtles, as many turtles are protected by state laws. Some animal control officers will remove turtles for free and will not harm the animal. If the turtle is terrorizing wildlife or pets on private land, you are usually within your legal rights to have the animal removed. If its public land you may not be able to do anything about the problem. Pest control agencies will also remove snapping turtles for a fee.

    Manual Turtle Removal

    • Some brave souls attempt to pick up snapping turtles by the tails, either in the water or on land. This is not recommended, as snapping turtles can be quite aggressive and move in unpredictable ways. However it is a good option if you know someone who has successfully removed a turtle this way and is willing to do it for free. If the turtle is on land, you can also pick it up with a snow shovel to remove it, as they recommend on pestcontrolrx.com.