The last trap's prongs needs to be worked into the ground a few times to have a path because the spring isn't strong enough to fire through hard dirt. So work the prongs into the ground a few times before setting the trap.
I bought the eliminator traps. They work great. Now most people who claim they don't work just don't know where to place them. Always try to find their main tunnel. I usually step on the run at the point where the trigger will be. The mole pushes up on the flattened run and sets the trap. You have to have a little patience. They may take a few days to set. If you don't get a mole then try a new location. It works for me.
Excellent video…clearly showing How-To set the traps. I have a harpoon trap but never any success. Recently bought a Victor out-of-sight scissor trap but the small illustrations on the box are worthless. Today I’ll set the scissor trap per your instructions. Thank you for a clear, informative video. I’ll let you know if it works
My neighbor had two cats. One went after birds. The other could care less about birds. She would listen to the lawn. She would dig and pull out a mole.
This is such a good video. I use the scissor trap and have good sucess with it. The hardest part is getting the mole out of the trap. The scissor trap is so strong we use large grip pliers to release the mole. It takes two of us.
Thanks for taking the time to make a great video. I have a pair of one of the mole traps shown. I haven't had success with it, their directions made no mention of making an obstruction in the tunnel, didn't mention the difference btwn runs and feeding areas and said you caution not to touch any of the trap. I got some of the gimmicky solar powered vibratory stakes, seemed to work at first, but now they've become used to them apparently as they make no difference. They're also quite annoying according to my wife, the vibration makes a pretty audible sound. Armed with this new info I'm going to get them in the trap!
I like to firmly embrace moles also…in my scissor trap. I prefer the live & let live idea, until they killed my apple tree and started to tunnel under my blueberry bushes. Nope, too far mr. Mole. Game on!!
73 years had zero for 71. Last year discouraged 1 with roundup in very dry mulch run by garage. This year I must have a family in back yard. This month those cute bushy tails are destroying my front yard digging. Deployed BB gun and after 2 days I think those critters have associated my yard with danger. Time will tell. Glad to learn about moles. I erroneously thought they ate roots. Will identify runs and shop for traps. Very dry year so perhaps forced them to expand hunting area.
I used to live in an area that was mostly Sandy soil. My successful method was, tap down all the tunnels and wait. If you have a larger infected area, I would walk gently and keep observing any more movement from the existing tunnels. Then with a pitchfork in hand…………👏
If you have the time to watch for mole activity, the approach you suggest can work. However, properly set traps are working whether or not we are present, and tend to be more efficient than the approach you describe.
I have 2 old mole "traps" that you load a 410 shotgun shell into. They belonged to my grandparents. They are in need of some repairs so ive never used them.
These traps likely have value as antiques, and definitely have educational value. We would be grateful for some pictures of the devices if you have them. Contact info is available at www.wildlife.k-state.edu
I must have watched dozens, maybe 100 videos on this subject. Everyone shows you their favorite traps and how to set them. Some, like this one, show you where to set them. What I really need is a bait to bring the mole back to the trap; traveling tunnels, feeding tunnels, or "whatever-tunnels", never seem to be used ever again once I set a trap there.
There is not a bait that will reliably attract moles, which is why toxicants are often not successful at removing moles. If you identify active runs with a test hole as we demonstrate in the video, and properly set traps, you will capture the moles.
I have several kinds of traps, the Gonzo Mega Grip, Trapline, Cinch Trap, and the Victor Harpoon trap. The harpoon trap is the only one that I've ever caught moles with. We have real rocky soil and scissor traps are almost impossible to set. The Gonzo Mega Grip is like setting a bear trap the spring is so strong. The Cinch traps are terrible about rusting, and I have never caught a mole with the Trapline.
It took me watching your video specifically on the trapline trap dozens of times to realize some keys that you don't show clearly how to set all the key points. I'm new to using trapline traps, I recently bought my first dozen. I primarily use cinch type traps on gophers and the occasionally squirrels, holes twice size of a gopher. On one 34 acre rolling hill hay farm I have trapped here in Marion County in last 6 years, 300+ gophers. 34-1st yr, 37-2nd, 90-3rd, 78-4th, 36-5th, 24-6th, plus this years +7. It takes a lot of digging to get to side runs for gophers. The extra challenge of half dozen squirrel's. Gophers, squirrels, moles overlaying runs. Then you have voles that take over once you get rid of the other 3. We have flesh eating black beetles that clean up the body count once the fly maggots get going on them and yellow jackets help too. One thing you don't show or say and which is important yet vague visually without words. At 7:28 in the video, the long rod that holds the sensor on the spring side in place, on the jaws side the long rod loop barely holds one side of the jaw open. That is a key not shown well in other videos either. That has led to some channels showing the damage done to their fingers when all parts of the trap aren't correctly positioned. Always wear gloves when setting traps, best to use leather instead of cotton. I use lined leather for durability to help clean out tunnels. I learned back in the 1980's the Out of Sight traps triggers had to have sensor bent if soil too hard to push claws into the ground so that the mole would trip the trigger. Out here in Western Oregon we have a wide variety of species of mole sizes. Out of Sight traps work well for medium to large size moles, as well as do mole bait. Smaller moles won't take the mole bait since the worms they eat are smaller than earth worms. Some mole species are very small, more like a shrew or a vole or even smaller, with tunnel sizes from
Cinch traps were by far the best I used. here in the pacific n w. I trapped about 200 moles and had the best success with them. Made by a shop in Beaverton Or.
No, different traps and methods would be needed for ground squirrels. Here is a link to good information about managing ground squirrels produced by the University of California system: www.groundsquirrelbmp.com/management-cgs.html. Depending on the species of ground squirrel that you are dealing with, you may need larger or smaller traps. We can provide more specific information if we know the state you are located in and species of ground squirrel the you're dealing with.
I have a ton of moles and voles I put down mole max because I'm afraid to trap and kill chipmunks. Is there any way to set traps to make sure it only catches moles and voles and won't get chipmunks?
I bought two WIRE-TEK mole Eliminator® traps this spring that are pet friendly and impressively effective. They're a bit pricey but built like a tank and very easily set.
Although chipmunks and other rodents often occupy abandoned mole runs, they do not typically live in active runs. The trap sets we demonstrate should not capture chipmunks when properly placed in active runs. We also show how to determine if a run is active. Runs that are occupied by rodents should have visible entrances at some point along the run.
Moles can’t be excluded or repelled, so removing or tolerating them is the solution to stopping the damage when it occurs. It sounds like you’ve found a way to remove the moles when you have them.
There is no need to be concerned about trap contamination with human scent when trapping moles. When traps are set properly in active runs, they will catch moles whether or not the trap setter wears gloves.
There are definitely videos that show the method you mention. Unfortunately, most people don’t have the time or patience to solve their mole problems by flooding. I would classify that as a gimmicky option that can work sometimes.
Or get you two fiest dog pups a shovel and a rake they will dig your yard up and occasionally catch a mole take the shovel cover up the ditch they dug and use the rake to get any loose material that was left. shzzzz just kidding their a lot of fun.
Best video on the subject I’ve found.
Thank you for the positive feedback - we're glad you liked the video!
The last trap's prongs needs to be worked into the ground a few times to have a path because the spring isn't strong enough
to fire through hard dirt. So work the prongs into the ground a few times before setting the trap.
I bought the eliminator traps. They work great. Now most people who claim they don't work just don't know where to place them. Always try to find their main tunnel. I usually step on the run at the point where the trigger will be. The mole pushes up on the flattened run and sets the trap. You have to have a little patience. They may take a few days to set. If you don't get a mole then try a new location. It works for me.
Excellent video…clearly showing How-To set the traps. I have a harpoon trap but never any success. Recently bought a Victor out-of-sight scissor trap but the small illustrations on the box are worthless. Today I’ll set the scissor trap per your instructions. Thank you for a clear, informative video. I’ll let you know if it works
Thank you for the positive feedback - we're glad you liked the video! Let us know how you do.
My neighbor had two cats. One went after birds. The other could care less about birds. She would listen to the lawn. She would dig and pull out a mole.
I have one that concentrates on moles and gophers to, but I have 1 mole that still alludes him. Dang cat has half my yard dug up😂
This is such a good video. I use the scissor trap and have good sucess with it. The hardest part is getting the mole out of the trap. The scissor trap is so strong we use large grip pliers to release the mole. It takes two of us.
Sounds like you've got a good system going!
Thanks for taking the time to make a great video. I have a pair of one of the mole traps shown. I haven't had success with it, their directions made no mention of making an obstruction in the tunnel, didn't mention the difference btwn runs and feeding areas and said you caution not to touch any of the trap. I got some of the gimmicky solar powered vibratory stakes, seemed to work at first, but now they've become used to them apparently as they make no difference. They're also quite annoying according to my wife, the vibration makes a pretty audible sound.
Armed with this new info I'm going to get them in the trap!
Glad to hear you're going to trap again - identifying active travel corridors and properly placing the traps are definitely keys!
I have learned that part of a happy life is to embrace the mole.
Sounds like you've learned to live with moles!
I like to firmly embrace moles also…in my scissor trap. I prefer the live & let live idea, until they killed my apple tree and started to tunnel under my blueberry bushes.
Nope, too far mr. Mole. Game on!!
The trap I've had the best luck using is the Gopher Hawk. I have the others you showed but the G H seems to be the best. Thanks for your video!
Thank you for the feedback. We will look into that trap and may add it to the arsenal for future videos.
Gopher Hawks need deeper tunnel runs than the mole runs I get which are more shallow. The GH isn't helpful then for me.
Had a dog that would've killed all the active moles in that area in about a hour. That's what she lived for to hunt moles.
Same here, miniature Dachshund, she was born to hunt, basically anything that came into her airspace.
73 years had zero for 71. Last year discouraged 1 with roundup in very dry mulch run by garage. This year I must have a family in back yard. This month those cute bushy tails are destroying my front yard digging. Deployed BB gun and after 2 days I think those critters have associated my yard with danger. Time will tell. Glad to learn about moles. I erroneously thought they ate roots. Will identify runs and shop for traps. Very dry year so perhaps forced them to expand hunting area.
I used to live in an area that was mostly Sandy soil. My successful method was, tap down all the tunnels and wait. If you have a larger infected area, I would walk gently and keep observing any more movement from the existing tunnels. Then with a pitchfork in hand…………👏
If you have the time to watch for mole activity, the approach you suggest can work. However, properly set traps are working whether or not we are present, and tend to be more efficient than the approach you describe.
I have 2 old mole "traps" that you load a 410 shotgun shell into. They belonged to my grandparents. They are in need of some repairs so ive never used them.
These traps likely have value as antiques, and definitely have educational value. We would be grateful for some pictures of the devices if you have them. Contact info is available at www.wildlife.k-state.edu
I must have watched dozens, maybe 100 videos on this subject. Everyone shows you their favorite traps and how to set them. Some, like this one, show you where to set them. What I really need is a bait to bring the mole back to the trap; traveling tunnels, feeding tunnels, or "whatever-tunnels", never seem to be used ever again once I set a trap there.
There is not a bait that will reliably attract moles, which is why toxicants are often not successful at removing moles. If you identify active runs with a test hole as we demonstrate in the video, and properly set traps, you will capture the moles.
I have several kinds of traps, the Gonzo Mega Grip, Trapline, Cinch Trap, and the Victor Harpoon trap. The harpoon trap is the only one that I've ever caught moles with. We have real rocky soil and scissor traps are almost impossible to set. The Gonzo Mega Grip is like setting a bear trap the spring is so strong. The Cinch traps are terrible about rusting, and I have never caught a mole with the Trapline.
The harpoon trap has definitely caught many moles over the years and is a tried and true design. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Great video, thank you :)
Glad you found it helpful!
It took me watching your video specifically on the trapline trap dozens of times to realize some keys that you don't show clearly how to set all the key points. I'm new to using trapline traps, I recently bought my first dozen. I primarily use cinch type traps on gophers and the occasionally squirrels, holes twice size of a gopher.
On one 34 acre rolling hill hay farm I have trapped here in Marion County in last 6 years, 300+ gophers. 34-1st yr, 37-2nd, 90-3rd, 78-4th, 36-5th, 24-6th, plus this years +7. It takes a lot of digging to get to side runs for gophers. The extra challenge of half dozen squirrel's. Gophers, squirrels, moles overlaying runs. Then you have voles that take over once you get rid of the other 3. We have flesh eating black beetles that clean up the body count once the fly maggots get going on them and yellow jackets help too.
One thing you don't show or say and which is important yet vague visually without words. At 7:28 in the video, the long rod that holds the sensor on the spring side in place, on the jaws side the long rod loop barely holds one side of the jaw open. That is a key not shown well in other videos either.
That has led to some channels showing the damage done to their fingers when all parts of the trap aren't correctly positioned. Always wear gloves when setting traps, best to use leather instead of cotton. I use lined leather for durability to help clean out tunnels.
I learned back in the 1980's the Out of Sight traps triggers had to have sensor bent if soil too hard to push claws into the ground so that the mole would trip the trigger.
Out here in Western Oregon we have a wide variety of species of mole sizes. Out of Sight traps work well for medium to large size moles, as well as do mole bait. Smaller moles won't take the mole bait since the worms they eat are smaller than earth worms. Some mole species are very small, more like a shrew or a vole or even smaller, with tunnel sizes from
Moles dont make as much damage as my dogs do trying to dig them out of their tunnels. The dogs dig up the entire yard.
😂❤
Cinch traps were by far the best I used. here in the pacific n w. I trapped about 200 moles and had the best success with them. Made by a shop in Beaverton Or.
What's the similarities and differences of mole and gopher
Thanks for this video. It is very informative 👍
Thank you for the positive feedback - we're glad you liked the video!
I prefer the harpoon trap because it leaves the mole in the ground as the others the mole has to be removed from the trap
I had my moles removed at the dermatologist's office.
That was some good information I have all of them traps plus some .
Thank you for the positive feedback - we're glad you liked the video!
Do these work for ground squirrels?
No, different traps and methods would be needed for ground squirrels. Here is a link to good information about managing ground squirrels produced by the University of California system: www.groundsquirrelbmp.com/management-cgs.html. Depending on the species of ground squirrel that you are dealing with, you may need larger or smaller traps. We can provide more specific information if we know the state you are located in and species of ground squirrel the you're dealing with.
Very informative.
Glad it was helpful!
Our Labrador can show you how to trap moles-and gophers and squirrels...
I HAVE THEM SO BAD THINKING ABOUT A WELL PLACED CHARGE IF I KNEW WHERE TO GET ONE
I have a ton of moles and voles I put down mole max because I'm afraid to trap and kill chipmunks. Is there any way to set traps to make sure it only catches moles and voles and won't get chipmunks?
I bought two WIRE-TEK mole Eliminator® traps this spring that are pet friendly and impressively effective.
They're a bit pricey but built like a tank and very easily set.
Although chipmunks and other rodents often occupy abandoned mole runs, they do not typically live in active runs. The trap sets we demonstrate should not capture chipmunks when properly placed in active runs. We also show how to determine if a run is active.
Runs that are occupied by rodents should have visible entrances at some point along the run.
I've killed two moles in my yard a year for the past two years. I don't think trapping them would help alleviate my issue.
Moles can’t be excluded or repelled, so removing or tolerating them is the solution to stopping the damage when it occurs. It sounds like you’ve found a way to remove the moles when you have them.
"there's only one way to get rid of a mole" Jasper Carrott 😄
what about the human sent
There is no need to be concerned about trap contamination with human scent when trapping moles. When traps are set properly in active runs, they will catch moles whether or not the trap setter wears gloves.
You need to do a video on trapping pocket gophers...
Thanks for the suggestion! We will add a pocket gopher control video to the list.
I'm glad it wasn't dynamite.😂😂😂 Good to see you still have all your fingers.🎉🎉🎉😂😂😂
Would putting a hose down the tunnel and flooding it be effective?? *Someone should make a movie based on that :D
There are definitely videos that show the method you mention. Unfortunately, most people don’t have the time or patience to solve their mole problems by flooding. I would classify that as a gimmicky option that can work sometimes.
That doesn't work
I see you are a fellow man of culture.
Or get you two fiest dog pups a shovel and a rake they will dig your yard up and occasionally catch a mole take the shovel cover up the ditch they dug and use the rake to get any loose material that was left. shzzzz just kidding their a lot of fun.
Get a dachshund