First Few Moles, And Advice Needed

[gwalchmai4110 1,757]

since buying in a few different traps the moles have been coming thick and fast. so im happy about that.

 

 

my question is......... how many traps do you put down?

 

is there a rule of thumb.....for example if there are 10 mole tumps in one area how many traps would you put down to cover that area?

 

 

atb

 

[hutch6 550]

Too many variables with each situation I would assume so there wouldn't be a rule of thumb. Could be ten hills in a line or ten hills in a cluster. One line gives one main route, a cluster gives options for numerous connecting tunnels.

 

Surely half the fun is working out the puzzle?

[gwalchmai4110 1,757]

Too many variables with each situation I would assume so there wouldn't be a rule of thumb. Could be ten hills in a line or ten hills in a cluster. One line gives one main route, a cluster gives options for numerous connecting tunnels.

 

Surely half the fun is working out the puzzle?

thank you mate that makes logical sense to be fair atb

[torchey 1,325]

The more your at it the less traps you,ll use...trial and error mate...

[Nicepix 5,650]

Don't forget that moles can make tunnels that last for years and years. The molehills subside over time and become grassed over, but the tunnels are still there. The more experienced you become, the more you will know where these old tunnels are.

[shropshire mole 190]

Good Question 4110

 

Are you reducing mole numbers or completing a job to rid of all moles in an area (for a while at least?)

 

I ask because, if I am trying to clear the whole area, then will put in extra traps, knowing that probably only 1 or 2 of the traps will get the result. May have 4-6 traps out close by on different runs

If I am reducing numbers, say on a farm, then will use less traps per area, so that more area is covered on each visit. Certainly 2 traps for each mole area

 

For me time/ cost traveling to the job is the expensive bit of my work, so popping in a couple of extra traps whilst on site, seems sensible rather than finding that have missed the mole on next visit.

Edited March 22, 2016 by shropshire mole

[gwalchmai4110 1,757]

Good Question 4110

 

Are you reducing mole numbers or completing a job to rid of all moles in an area (for a while at least?)

 

I ask because, if I am trying to clear the whole area, then will put in extra traps, knowing that probably only 1 or 2 of the traps will get the result. May have 4-6 traps out close by on different runs

If I am reducing numbers, say on a farm, then will use less traps per area, so that more area is covered on each visit. Certainly 2 traps for each mole area

 

For me time/ cost traveling to the job is the expensive bit of my work, so popping in a couple of extra traps whilst on site, seems sensible rather than finding that have missed the mole on next visit.

thank you very much for your reply mate.

 

I have a small holding and on my neighbours and my ground I noticed a lot of mole activity. so to keep my self occupies now whilst the season with the lurchers and terriers is over I ordered 50 traps and declared war on the moles! so its just a bit of fun to be honest but I must admit it is somewhat addictive at the moment and like a kid a Christmas I find my self excited for the end of work to do my "moleing round"

 

but I don't know if im over / under trapping but I suppose like above it is somewhat trial and error. I am using scissor traps and talpex style at minute but I am waiting on some putange to arrive and ill give them a bash.

 

thanks for your reply mate!

[Nicepix 5,650]

As Shropshire Mole and others have said; it all depends.

 

For example, in my own garden I always have two sets of Putanges set in tunnels that have no signs of being there, have probably been there as long as the house has been built, and I check them once a week to take out any visitors from neighbouring properties. That way I don't get molehills because I trap the new ones before they expand the tunnel system. I can keep a half acre garden molehill free with two trap sites.

 

Now, when I do a paid job I'll set traps for the moles I know are there and also for the ones in neighbouring areas who will undoubtedly come nosing around as soon as the resident's tunnels are vacated. Many tunnel systems interconnect and each mole may have its own area, but also share tunnels on the fringe of their nests. As soon as you trap one, another may decide to expand its territory or simply move in. That is why many pro's don't just set one trap per mole unless they are sure that it is an isolated infestation. In heavily infested areas you might not be sure how many moles there are so it is best to over trap as the time and travelling costs back to clear a re-infestation are not paid for. And can reflect badly on your reputation.

 

If you are doing an allotment you could probably clear the resident moles in three days. But you will need to leave one or two traps in some tunnels to catch those that will exploit the vacancies. After a while the number of moles trapped will diminish to virtually zero. Then there will be a new hatch and you'll start catching again. I've got some traps out permanently at one garden where I'd had around 35 moles in just over a year, then nothing for five or six months. Yesterday I took three out of three trap sites.

 

You just never know.

[shropshire mole 190]

Very true Nicepix - you just never know.

 

 

I have been catching moles locally in a garden approx 20m x 20m . The garden backs onto pasture, with no obvious mole hills

 

There are 3 areas, so told the owners, thought there would be 3 moles.

 

Caught mole number 9 yesterday

[gwalchmai4110 1,757]

thanks very much for all the lads that have responded. I had another 6 off the field last night.

 

and these babies just turned up so any advice on these again will be much appreciated

 

atb

[shropshire mole 190]

thanks very much for all the lads that have responded. I had another 6 off the field last night.

 

and these babies just turned up so any advice on these again will be much appreciated

 

atb

Sure nicepix will let you know his putange secrets (well, the printable ones anyway)