The Art of Mole Trapping - Using the Talpex Trap
Preparation
It is very important that you make sure there are no stones in the bottom of the tunnel that could jam in the claws and prevent them from closing properly. Similarly, if the soil is very hard, it is worth ‘turning it’ in order loosen it. This can be done easily with a trowel. Alternatively pour some water on it which should soften it.
Setting
First, check that the hole is the right width, by placing the un-armed trap in the bottom. Make adjustments as necessary.
Then arm the trap. This is done by placing the trap on the ground, with the trigger pin on the bottom. Press the upper handle down firmly using both hands until the spring is fully compressed. Next, rotate the pin over the top, and slot it into the hole in the trigger plate.
Carefully insert the trap into the hole, making sure not to collapse the sides of the hole with the claws. Push the trap down firmly, so that the claws are settled well down into the base and walls of the tunnel. As you push it down, let it tip over a little, so that it is not quite level. Tip it so that the side of the trigger plate that the pin slots into is higher. This keeps the trigger plate lower in the tunnel and prevents the mole from squeezing past so easily.
[diagram]
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Make sure that the tube is the right way up and that the flaps are hanging down. Finally, if there is a tell-tale hole, place a thin wand in it. When a mole enters, this will be knocked over and will alert you to a catch.
Seal and Cover
Here, there are two options.
One; pack some loose earth under the trap, so that it covers the trigger plate, and use turf to bridge the gaps around the edges. Cover and seal to exclude light as you would any other trap. Start with this method as it is usually the preferred technique.
Two; leave the trap fully open, and put no soil on top of it. Only pack out the sides to ensure the trap is secure and will not move. The mole should come to investigate the opening in his burrow and the try to fill in the hole. When he pushes earth up into the gap, he will press on the trigger place and fire the trap.
This technique only works with this type of trap due to the vertical triggering arrangement.
[photo]
Checking
If you get a high number of empty, and un-triggered traps, make sure you are seating them down firmly enough. The trap is probably being set too high, leaving space for the mole to pass underneath.
You could also try the ‘open set method’.
If you get a high number of filled traps, try setting them a little higher, as the mole may be running into the trigger plate from the side; thus not setting the trap off.
It is fairly common to find a live mole in one of these traps, either pinched but not dead, or simply caught by the foot. Be prepared to dispatch the mole quickly with a sharp blow to the nose with a trowel.
Trap Maintenance
Before setting, make sure to brush off any dried on dirt / mud. If the trap becomes rusty, don’t use an oil or lubricant. Simply use a wire brush to remove the rust.
If you find that the trap is not firing reliably (you can test be seeing how much force is needed on the trigger plate to set it off), then you can file down the end of the trigger pin to a chamfered edge, rather than a 90 degree end. This will help the plate slip off more easily.
[diagram]
When not in use, do not store the trap in the set position. As well as gradually weakening the springs, this will present a hazard to anybody that happens across it.
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