Catching moles
Moles are generally very solitary creatures, particularly in gardens or domestic settings, although there are exceptions to the rule as nature doesn’t always follow the rules.
Moles have two types of run: Main runs and feeding runs. The main run is how he enters the area he works generally and is usually running along a fence or hedge line. From this run he starts his feeding runs which leave your property looking like bombsite peppered with hills. These runs are constantly worked in the search for food (worms or grubs) and, because of this, the risk of having your traps backfilled with soil as he is clearing his tunnels is much greater. This is why we try not to trap these areas unless we have no choice, and always try to find the main run.
Probing near where he enters the property will reveal his run. Your probe will plop through and hit the bottom of the run when you find it and it’s here you must place your trap.
If using Putanges, we recommend you cut the turf out just large enough to slide the traps in. Clear out the runs with one of the Putanges then set and peg down two traps facing each way in the run. We peg them down so that when he pushes against the trigger it fires. If you do not peg them down he may push them along the tunnel. Once pegged down replace the turf and seal any potential air gaps with loose soil from a mole hill.
The Putanges work better when a patina has developed on the trap and whilst this sounds counterintuitive they are designed to work this way and they really are effective.
If using claw or tunnel traps, cut the turf out as close to the size of the traps as possible. Place the trap in the tunnel make sure it sits tight and doesn’t wobble. For tunnel traps, seal the hole with loose soil but do not replace the turf as it can and does impede the action of the springs. For claw traps, backfill the trap, wiggle it to riddle the soil down and repeat until the soil is above the level of the springs. And again do not replace the turf.
Feel free to contact us if you have further questions.
