first mole!!!

[ANTHONYCHEZ 27]

got my first mole at last. the little bugger kept filling the traps inand stetting them off. but i got one now. not sure how many there are, how can i tell? thanks for the help with setting my traps lads

[SEAN3513 7]

spot on mate

 

it pays to be persistant

 

how many hills have you got, over what size are?

 

atb

 

sean

[nod 285]

put the trap back down then keep checking it, this time of the year there can be a few moles moving about as there mating season starts soon

[ANTHONYCHEZ 27]

put the trap back down then keep checking it, this time of the year there can be a few moles moving about as there mating season starts soon

there are 20 ish hills stretched out down a fence line about 15m long andout into the field the same distance. in a L shape roughly,the traps are set ready and waiting incase of another with a bit of luck that will be it

[SEAN3513 7]

hard to say how many moles really.................how many traps have you set??

[ANTHONYCHEZ 27]

hard to say how many moles really.................how many traps have you set??

5 traps, 3 down the fence line and 2 out in the paddock

[Brimmer 220]

Aye aye Chez. [bANNED TEXT] you up to then! Go see the old feller.

[Quixote 9]

not sure how many there are, how can i tell?

 

Chances are you've cleared that set mate.....rake the hills flat, then keep an eye out for more activity. Before I even set a trap on a badly-affected area I ask the farmer to chain-harrow the field. That way, any new activity can be seen almost immediately & you stand the best chance of a quick clear out.

 

If you find a lot of your traps are being sprung without a capture (I'm assuming it's Duffus traps you're using?) try making sure they're not on a curve in the tunnel, & that they're a snug fit in the hole. Also, clear the loose soil from underneath where the trap's going to sit, & that you haven't accidentally shoved loose soil along the tunnel itself.

 

When I'm setting traps, I always clear any remaining hills, then rebuild them only over where I have a trap set. I carry some squares of aluminium to put over the void whre the trap sits, then build the hill over that. Keeps the light out completely, & make sit easier to remember where you have your traps. Also, no-one wil ever be able to tell there's a trap set under what appears to be just a couple of molehills

[nighttimenellie 4]

YA bugger yer keen on raking them hills flat Quixote lol, you can spot a new heap at a glance you dont have to bother raking them, even an old heap with new soil dug out is very easily spotted, it seems a lot of work for nothing, but each to thier own.

[Quixote 9]

YA bugger yer keen on raking them hills flat Quixote lol,

 

Not that keen mate.........I generally get the farmer to run a chain harrow over them. Needs to be done anyway to save silage contamination from listeria & damage to the cutting blades.

 

If it's a garden job I'll do it by hand. Customers love it as they can see an instant result, & they're generally panicking about the damage to their lawns. Also means I can whack another twenty onto the bill as they're so happy to find out their grass is safe. Method in the madness, matey

Edited February 7, 2010 by Quixote

[ANTHONYCHEZ 27]

cheers for all the help. I've raked the bumps down now because they have been building up since they last had their grass cut. like you say easier to see whats been happening at a glance. this mole catching is all free at tho moment to give me a bit of experience. i am using the duffus trap at the moment is the any chance of the mole wriggling out of it once triggered.

brimmer.. is your dad still into it wasn't sure if he was. i will deffo bend his ear when i see him, how the rabbiting going. this snow has kicked the arse out of it!! still snow up where i go!!!

[lurchergrrl 1,441]

Was that at the kennels Anthony? ... think I happen to know of a pointer who dug one of those traps up for you not so long back

[ANTHONYCHEZ 27]

thats right. a dog did dig up one of my traps. the little bugger