Tunneling moles

[Pilot]

I second what MossRoad says. But the Out 'a Sight traps need to be hopped up. The lip on the tirgger needs to be ground down so it is almost a hair trigger. As it comes from the factory it would take a hefty nudge to trip it. Hefty enough to lift up on the trap. Once I ground down the lip, I started catching moles.

The mounds are just off to the side from the main tunnels out here in Oregon. I probe with a long screwdriver to find the main runs, then set the trap there. Last time, I caught 2 at once--don't know how that happened--maybe it was mating season.

We have voles here, too. Lots of little 1.5 inch diameter holes in the ground with no dirt pushed out. Haven't trapped them yet, but did a little research. Supposed to trap them with ordinary mouse traps baited with peanut butter, just like for mice. We'll see.

 

[slowrev]

I have a cat that wiped those critters out in about 6 months at my house. Listens and digs em up /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Shrews too.

good kitty /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ejtaylor822]

I have had some success with traps. But, I have also had success taking post hole diggers and digging a small hole into one of the tunnels. I then place a coffee can in the hole. The mole comes running through and drops in the can. You can then take him somewhere and give him a new home - just make sure to put the can in a box in the car in case the can tips over - in-law's could explain that one. If you do not want to kill it, make sure to pop some holes in the bottom to let rain water drain - afraid I could explain than one....

 

[ShiningSky]

I just gas them. I have a 6' piece of flexible exhaust tubing and hook it to the exhaust on my riding lawnmower. Excavate the an opening in the tunnel system and bury the hose in the tunnel. Let run for about 30 minutes and making sure to cover up any areas where I see fumes leaking to the surface. I did that once 3 years ago and have never seen the little rascals since. Actually they are just out in the fields but not in my lawn. The dirt really needs to be pretty damp to keep the gas in the tunnel from escaping to air.

Cheers

David

 

[MossRoad]

You know, I've heard about live trapping them in a large jar or can. They said to put an old shingle over the hole to keep it dark and the little dudes will just plop right in the can. I just don't know where I'd take them. There was clearly an overpopulation of them in our neighborhood or else my yard just happens to be the ultimate mole habitat. We had just about zero rain over the summer. No worms in the grass. No moles in the yard. Now that it has rained a few times in the last week, I expect to see a flurry of feeding if the worms appear. I lost my pool for the second time two years ago just this time of year. Right after I winterized it. So, I am reluctant to live trap them and relocate them to become someone else's problem. I mean, where am I going to relocate 50+ moles a year? I'll just cause an over population some where else. Although, there are a few people in town who's yards look just a liiiitle toooo niiiice! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[PBinWA]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I have had some success with traps. But, I have also had success taking post hole diggers and digging a small hole into one of the tunnels. I then place a coffee can in the hole. The mole comes running through and drops in the can. )</font>

I like that one! Especially since I just got a PHD. I'll give it a try! Not too sure I'll be giving him a new home though. I'm not that nice.

Thanks!

 

[KennedyDiesel]

Thanks for all the responses. Will fwd on to the affected parties. Lots of good ideas. A link or pic of the traps metioned would be helpful.

 

[MossRoad]

Link to your request. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Oh, yeah. Be careful as these things can smash your fingers pretty good. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[ejtaylor822]

mossroad,
Good point about passing on problems to someone else when catching live. Back home in the mountains, I was able to take them down to the french broad river near the old land fill. There was a lot of undeveloped land/forest down there and we would turn them loose.

Our last house, in a very populated development, I was using the spring piercing traps until a lady stopped one day and told me what a "scumbag" (in so many words) I was for killing an endangered species /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif (if she only knew how unsuccessful I was at that time) I told her that I would start using the cans and bring them to her /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. She liked that idea even less - truthfully - as it was taking them from their homes....