Each year I have ambitions of having the best lawn in the neighborhood. I work hard in the spring to prepare the lawn for the new growing season. I weed, fertilize, mow, and water. Just when the lawn is beginning to look really nice a mole comes through and leaves unsightly mounds of soil. I have learned to fight back and remove the mole(s) once and for all. Read below to find out how I do it.
Here's what you'll need: a long screwdriver or weeding tool, a hand trowel, a mole trap (available at your local home and garden store) and a bucket.
Now examine the mole hills. One must first locate the main arterials which the mole uses to move around the yard. Typically, these "highways" run between the larger mole hills. Several lesser used tunnels may extend from the main track. These may be used for feeding, but are less traveled and should not be used for trap placement. In the example below, the mole has made a very well defined path along the surface, but often the only indication is a slight rise in the grass and soil over the tunnel.
Below, the mole has even left an opening to the air above.
Use the weeding tool to find the exact location of the mole's tunnel. Push the tool into the soil. If it enters without much effort (compared to surrounding areas) you've located the tunnel.
Determine which direction the tunnel travels over a distance roughly six inches long. Dig a rectangular hole along this length of tunnel about four or five inches deep. Remove the sod and set aside. Place the soil from the hole into the bucket. Use your fingers to locate and open the tunnel a bit on either side of the hole.
Check the hole for size. The hole should be large enough to easily set the trap.
Remove the trap. Pat down any loose soil so that the hole floor is at the same level as the tunnel, then build a wall across the mole's path using some of the soil from the bucket. You may have to add a bit of water if your soil is particularly dry. The wall should be about 1-1/2 inches high and should fit under the trap's trigger when it is placed in the hole.
Now, to set the trap: First set the safety latch, the small hook at the top of the trap (see below). Make sure to keep this hook set until you are nearly finished with the project. You don't want to break any fingers!
Next, arm the trap by placing the longer metal rod next to the trigger plate. This will hold the trap open until the mole bumps the trigger plate.
Do not place the rod fully into the trigger plate lip. This is not sensitive enough to trip when the mole digs through the soil wall earlier built.
Instead, place the rod just slightly into the lip, leaving a bit of a gap under the rod end, as shown below.
Place the trap gently into the hole. Check the soil wall height. It may need to be raised or lowered so that the trigger plate almost touches the soil. Never adjust the height of the wall without first removing the trap from the hole!
Sprinkle the soil from the bucket loosely over the hole so that the mole will have to work his way through the area to the soil wall. Be careful to remove any gravel which might jam the trap, allowing the mole to escape.
Now carefully move the safety hook so that the arming rod is the only part holding the trap open.
Place the bucket upside down over the trap. You can place the sod on top of the bucket. After the mole is caught and the trap removed, the sod can be pressed back into place.
Now, wait....patiently. Check the trap daily. Simply lift the bucket and look. If the rod is still partially buried in soil, the trap is still set. But when the rod is fully visible, as shown below, you've caught your first varmint!
Ooh, here's a big one!
This trapping technique will normally take care of your problem until the mole's family members come looking for him. Fortunately, mole hunting season is always open!
Happy Hunting!
Disclaimer: Please follow all trap instructions to avoid injury. Check local laws regarding trapping and hunting in your area. The author of this web page assumes no liability for injuries or citations received due to the use of information presented here.