The mole who won't die!

[Shellshocker66]

I have probably a few moles who are driving me nuts! I've tried traps without any success. Little bastage is digging under my garden plants and eating the roots. He mocks me by digging a new mound next to any trap I set (and yes I glove up before touching the trap).

I have goats and don't want to use poison (plus the garden I would prefer not to use any next to)

flooding is not going to work as they have an extensive tunnel system going.

Would like to hear what others have used to combat the problem?

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[Blitzkrieg]

I hear shooting non oxygen gasses into the tunnels will kill them

 

[jbett98]

Try stomping down on all of the hills.
If the mole pushes back up any that were previously tamped down, then that is a main tunnel.
Set your traps on main tunnels only. I use two traps per main hill. A mole always digs the tunnels at right angles, so as not to push dirt back down the other tunnel.
I file the trigger rod on the scissor traps to a nice sharp edge so I can set them for a hair trigger release.
Dig back about 6-10" from the hill, loosen the dirt under the traps jaws and make sure you don't fill up the tunnel with dirt when placing the trap.
When the mole crawls under the traps release lever bar, it should only be crawling upwards, not trying to dig through any loose dirt.
Make sure to use a sturdy light proof box or metal bucket with a chuck of concrete or rock over the traps. (keeps the tunnels dark) and small kids safe.
My neighbor boils his in Hemlock fir needles to erase his scent. It also keeps them rust proof he claims.

 

[PBinWA]

I trap them all the time and never worry about my scent. They aren't that smart.

First rake down all the mounds so you know where the fresh ones are.

You need to find deep tunnels and set the traps on hair triggers. Don't set the traps where the mounds are. stick some wire down the runs that meet at a mound (usually there is at least 3) then find a nice big straight run. Don't waste time on bad runs.

Once you've found a straight tunnel, dig a hole and make a firmly packed mound of dirt for your trap trigger to rest on and make sure there is no place on the sides for the mole to work around the trap. I sometimes use rocks on the outside edges of my traps. Moles are lazy and will take the path of least resistance.

Once your trap is in place, cover it with a layer of sod so no light comes in and then, ideally you want some down pressure on the trap so the mole is forced to set the trigger and can't just push under the dirt mound.

Check your trap in 2 days and if you don't have something move it.

If you have a dog make sure you let them play with any moles you catch. My Pit/Lab has caught 5 moles so far this year. I've always encouraged him to play with them from when he was a puppy. He's three now and really has seemed to figure it out.

 

[PBinWA]

You can also rake down the mounds and then try to figure out what time of day the moles are most active. I've nailed a few with the shotgun while they are pushing dirt up.

 

[Ironbar]

Cinch traps. Kills them every time without fail. You just follow the instructions, and the next day you have a dead mole.

 

[PBinWA]

Ironbar - did you buy those cinch traps locally? If so where? I saw them on Amazon.com but they way $13 for shipping which is too steep for me.

 

[sheepdip]

if you can catch the little buggers while the hill is moving a 12 guage works almost every time

 

[jbett98]

if you can catch the little buggers while the hill is moving a 12 guage works almost every time

He might have city moles

 

[coctailer]

He might have city moles

So then 9mm might work better?:monty:

 

[EMP9596]

.22 shorts

 

[Mason3379]

Sulfer granules and a weed burner torch! Kills em dead. Or you can go this route! Rodent Blaster Hot Shot Propane Remote Organically Safe Pest Control for damaging ground squirrels, gophers, ground hogs and other problem rodents.
Personally I like to blow sh*$ up and it can be yours for only Fourteen Hundred DOLLARS! ORDER NOW!!

 

[pokerace]

I killed the last one in my yard with a pitch fork..

 

[wolfcreed]

Try stomping down on all of the hills.
If the mole pushes back up any that were previously tamped down, then that is a main tunnel.
Set your traps on main tunnels only. I use two traps per main hill. A mole always digs the tunnels at right angles, so as not to push dirt back down the other tunnel.

+1 for jbett98's recommendation

Over the last five years, we've had 100% kill rate of those brown little devils. We put by two and sometimes three Victor claw style traps in two different holes.

Also, try using Mole Max. It works pretty good and deters them from the yard, we've had fewer return each year since we started using that.

 

[Mark W.]

open up 4-6 holes clear the dirt down into the tunnels. Take 4 paper towels soak them in gasoline till wet. Shove the wet paper towel down the hole as far as you can. Cover hole with a piece of plywood or something to seal it off. Wait 45 min. remove one of the hole covers and using a broom stick lenght stick and a piece of gasoline soaked paper towel. LIGHT OFF ONE OF THE HOLES. You will most likely hear a very loud WOOOOOOSH as all of the oxygen in the tunnel system is sucked out by the fumes igniting. It will literally suck the lungs out of any moles or gophers in the tunnels.

If you have extensive tunnel systems you might have to try it in different locations.

UNBELIEVABLY fun and quite effective.

 

[Ironbar]

Ironbar - did you buy those cinch traps locally? If so where? I saw them on Amazon.com but they way $13 for shipping which is too steep for me.

I've seen them at Seven Dees, Al's Garden Center, and Gardeners Choice. Check with your local nursery that sells all sorts of gardening supplies. Places like Coastal Farm stores might have them too.

 

[Member 5605]

Hose to your exhaust pipe, down into the tunnel. 20-30 minutes should be enough.

 

[Ironbar]

OR, you could just happen to own the bestest and coolest mole-killing cat in the world- like ME! This was taken just today! Good boy Tommy!!!

(Hint- this is why I don't need mole traps anymore!)

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I killed the last one in my yard with a pitch fork..

Silent death unless they scream

 

[Blitzkrieg]

OR, you could just happen to own the bestest and coolest mole-killing cat in the world- like ME! This was taken just today! Good boy Tommy!!!

(Hint- this is why I don't need mole traps anymore!)

View attachment 40906

Your cat is hip.. ours is worthless