Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi

My mole problem is getting worse, and I've decided it's time to invest in some mole traps, but I hadn't realised there were so many to choose from until I googled them.

Can anyone give me advice on which is the most effective sort to get, based on their experience?

Thank you, in advance.

The sort like two blunt secatuers held three to four inches apart by a horizontal bar linking each (same side) pair of blades, springs push the handles apart, closing the blades. Trap is set by closing the handles and putting a metal O with "shoulders" between the horizontal bars using the shoulders.

As mole pases through the blades from either direction he dislodges the O the springs shut the blades an break his spine.

You can tell if it has sprung without re-opening the tunnel, cos the handles have moved.

NB the word blades is used as description of shape as the part concerned is 3mm galvanised steel bar.

Hi Caz,
Do remember that you want to place the traps in "the run" and not in the molehill. I have a metal rod as a probe to probe around the molehill until you find the run. Insert the trap and absolutely no light must be able to penetrate the run. I generally have some loose earth handy and I then place a black bucket over the top. Over the years I have caught quite a few moles but nowhere near the amount I would have liked!
JB.

Johnboy - thanks for the advice. I've got a pretty good idea where the main runs are, so that's where I'll start.

Peter - do you know anything about the 'tunnel' sort of traps? In the course of googling them, I've seen a few comments that suggest these are more effective than the scissor type (which I think you described).

Always hd success with the scissor type, so never had the need to try anything else, though I have seen the tunnel type and thought they looked fiddly.

Hi Caz,
I have tried the tunnel type of trap but didn't have any success so went back to the scissor type which, to me, are far more effective.
JB.

Thanks for your answers, JB and Peter.
The scissor type it will probably be, then.
When googling things, it's hard to know which comments have been put there by the manufacturers wanting to sell things, so it's good to get the opinion of 'real' people.

Hi Caz,
Who says I'm real?
JB.

Johnboy wrote:Hi Caz,
Who says I'm real?
JB.

Lady Rosemary does

Johnboy wrote:Hi Caz,
Who says I'm real?
JB.

I think I'm getting to know you, JB - I knew you would have something to say about that (as long as no one else beat you to it)!
You didn't let me down

Touche Pussy-cat!
JB.

Got one

Just thought I would let you know.
I went for the belt-and-braces approach - I bought three traps: two of the scissor type and one of the tunnel traps; it was the tunnel trap that came good.

I think there might still be another mole at the other end of the garden, but the one I got was almost certainly responsible for the damage amongst the veg (fingers crossed).

I'm sure there will be plenty more waiting in the wings.

Hi, OH
Should I hang the dead one from the garden fence, as a warning to the others?
Or maybe dangle it down one of the many holes?

Dear Caz, i think a decent burial will suffice.