The Art of Mole Trapping - The Burrow

The second thing we will need is an understanding of how moles live and the structure of their underground burrows.
 
Living Arrangements
 
Each mole lives alone in his burrow. He will vigorously defend his territory and fight off any invading neighbours. Burrows do often overlap in the 3 dimensional sense, and intertwine (as in the diagram below). Sometimes, neighbouring moles may also share  short sections of tunnel.  
 
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Moles will generally avoid encountering neighbours by monitoring pheromone trails in the tunnels. Usually neighbouring moles will develop a daily pattern, operating in different sections of the tunnel at a particular time of the day.  
 
Territory
 
Depending upon the environment, moles will require different amounts of territory. If the soil is dry and sandy soil with little prey, they may cover up to 3000 square meters.  In rich lush soil, with plenty of food, only 300 square meters may be needed.
 
In a mature 'colony', where moles have had time to settle in, a map of their territories may look something like  that in the illustration below. Red is for Males and Yellow for Females.
 
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If a mole is removed, then the neighbouring moles will move in rapidly, often within 3-10 days; as shown below.  
 
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This is why it is important to pursue your campaign vigorously until all signs of moles have been eliminated. Otherwise, you will be attempting to catch fewer moles in ever increasing territories; reducing you chances of capture.
The Structure
 
  • A nest
  • Food stores
  • Hunting galleries – usually active
  • Main tunnels – always active
  • Spur tunnels – usually inactive
  • Mole hills
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The Nest is where the mole sleeps. This will be an enlarged chamber, often at a junction of two or more tunnels; so that the mole has multiple escape routes. The nest will be lined with insulation foraged from above ground such as dried grass, leaves, or even crisp packets! The next is usually sited on higher ground, or somewhere that will remain dry, such as under a hedge, tree, fence, or shed.

Food Stores are used to store worms and may contain up to 1000 worms! The number, size, and presence of food stores will depend upon the quantity and regularity of the supply of food. They are usually situated in cul-de-sacs off main tunnels, or in hollows in tunnel walls.
 
The Hunting Galleries are where the mole catches its food. They consist of wide ranging tunnel systems in areas where prey (worms / grubs / insect larvae) are plentiful. As the prey makes its daily migration through the soil column, based upon the temperature and humidity, they will ‘drop’ into the tunnel. The mole will sense this vibration and come to snaffle the defenceless worm. These tunnels are not ideal for traps since the mole will be moving slowly and carefully feeling for prey.
 
Main Tunnels are the ‘motorways’ of the moles world. They provide often used routes between feeding grounds, food stores, and the nest. These are ideal tunnels in which to place a trap, since the mole will often come through and will usually be travelling at speed.
 
Spur Tunnels are exploratory excavations into new territory. If the mole is expanding his territory, looking for new feeding grounds, (usually when new mole hills start to appear) then he is likely to return here soon.  A good place to set a trap.
 
Mole Hills are simply the spoils from excavation.The mole will dig a side tunnel to the surface, and then push soil up and out. When he has finished excavating, he will then fill in the side tunnel. For this reason there is no point digging out a mole hill in hopes of setting a successful trap.