Wiley E. Mole

[AirArmsDavid 0]

 

Our rear garden backs onto farmland and over 25 years I've dealt with maybe a dozen separate mole infestations using the standard buried trap. Only had one trap, and always caught the mole. BUT...

 

A few months back another mole or moles started throwing up earth. 7/8 locations around the garden. Because of this I now have 4 traps. As usual I use a probe, mole gloves on, to locate the tunnels, trying to find them a good way from the hills so that back digging of earth doesn't set off the trap without the mole inside it. Cut a hole, set the trap, halve the divot to block light, cover with an upturned flower pot.

 

The traps have been disturbed, some set off, new earth in the holes, but NO MOLE!!

 

I removed all the hills (again) yesterday and flattened the earth. Sat with a spade by the most recent hill patch around 9pm last night but no movement. Went out around 10.20pm and saw the earth just starting to bubble up about 1-2 inches. As it was moving I WHACKED it flat with a spade. Then bashed it 4-5 times more. That patch has stayed flat this morning, but 15yds away another patch has bubbled a little.

 

Will my bashing have killed the mole just under the surface? Is this method the best to use on wiley moles?

 

Any tips for better mole catching? I can't lay poison as the dogs might dig it up. What else could I try? Is there any food (cat food) I could lace the trap trigger with to encourage them or do all smells send them away apart from worm?

 

Thanks for any help.

 

I'll be back out tonight at 10.20pm with my spade...

[AirArmsDavid 0]

They're scissor traps by the way.

[trappa 517]

No you wont have killed it by bashing the ground with your spade and no you wont use poison cos you cant. Think you need to either phone a decent local trapper up or persevere with the traps yourself, if youve been doing it on and off for 25 years you know the basics. Take your time is all i can suggest, and make sure your trap arms are free to spring.

[The one 8,463]

You should of dug it out if it was that near the surface , i saw that done once and thought wtf till i saw him picking up the mole

[LuckOrJudgement 437]

There's an American guy on YouTube -Matty Molenator I think he calls himself, digs all his moles out alive and relocates them. Makes good viewing. He must have sharp eyes and a lot of time on his hands!

[AirArmsDavid 0]

I think I'll get some duffus type traps. Chap here says to buy the "original" from the Flat Pack Co. in Yorkshire so as to get the best quality: http://www.molecatching.com/moletrapreview.html

 

Is that view generally accepted or are there cheaper ones just as good?

 

Many thanks.

 

PS. Three small hills this morning...

[ratattack 111]

Get some duffus and talpex traps. Throw the scissor traps in the bin they are rubbish! I catch a good few hundred each year and you do get a clever one occasionally. Had one last year took 6 weeks to catch him! Ensure the trap is not loose in the hole and make sure it's not a 3 or 4 way run as that's a blocked trap for sure! Always heel over the run either side of the talpex too.

 

Buy cheap traps and it'll cost you more because you'll end up buying decent ones after. The difference in spring power is huge!

[Rowan 308]

You do occasionaly get a mole that is a bu$$er to catch , but they always succumb in the end . If you don't catch him within a week move the traps and so on until your successful.

[j j m 6,536]

we get quite a few on the bottom of the golf course

[The one 8,463]

Thought they banned poisoning moles you have to trap them now ?.

[Rowan 308]

Thought they banned poisoning moles you have to trap them now ?.

trap or phostoxin / talunex.

[The one 8,463]

 

Thought they banned poisoning moles you have to trap them now ?.

trap or phostoxin / talunex.

 

Aye your right old age on my part i was just thinking about strychnin

[Rowan 308]

 

 

Thought they banned poisoning moles you have to trap them now ?.

trap or phostoxin / talunex.

 

Aye your right old age on my part i was just thinking about strychnin

 

 

 

Now , they where the bad old days. .

[AirArmsDavid 0]

Just before I bought any more traps I changed my probe from a wooden one to a metal fishing rod rest which gave more purchase and depth. I struck lucky on what appears to be the main run from one end of the garden to the other and caught one of the blighters with a scissor trap that night. Then another the next night, same trap, then a third the night after, same trap again. Now, fingers crossed, all has been quiet for two weeks with no more activity.

 

My learning has been to relocate the traps frequently if blocked or not triggered. That way you stand more chance of hitting the "mother load" of moles.

 

Thanks for your help anyhow.

[ratattack 111]

I always leave a blocked trap if it hasn't gone off and put a few new ones in, they often forget about the blocked one and get caught. A metal diver is far superior to a wooden one as you now know.