The Art of Mole Trapping - Using the EasySet Trap
Preparation
Very little preparation is needed for the EasySet trap. So long as you have followed the instructions in the previous section, you should be ready to go.
The only exception is when the earth is very hard or dry. In this case you may have difficulty seating the trap down into the base of the run properly with-out either setting it off or damaging it.
You should use a piece of wire or the tip of your trowel to ‘score’ some grooves in the base of the tunnel to accept the ridged edge of the killing hoop. This will allow them to sit, hidden, and the mole to pass over them.
Setting
First, place the un-armed trap in the hole. Check that the fit is good and that the trap lines up well; the trap should slide down easily but not be too loose.
Next, lift the trap out and arm it by pressing down on the plunger. Keeping your fingers clear of the killing hoops, carefully insert the trap into the hole. Push down until the ridges are buried in the bottom of the run.
Make sure to push down on the plunger, not the casing. If you push too hard on the casing, the trap may go off.
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If you are unsure how hard or far to push, have a go above ground in soil of a similar density and moisture content. Practice pushing the trap down until the hoops are buried, but not so that the trigger loop touches the ground.
Seal and Cover
Very little effort is needed with this trap. There are no through holes that will admit light, so all you need to do is pack some loose earth around the edges of the casing.
Remember to cover the trap if there is livestock in the area, or if you expect very heavy rain.
Checking
The EasySet is a breeze to check. It will immediately be obvious if it has been set-off as the plunger will be up. In any case, it is easy to slide it out of the shaft, leaving the walls intact, check, and then re-insert. No need to mess around digging it out or burying it again.
If it has been filled in, be sure to clear out the tunnel again. When resetting, push it down a little further to ensure the hoops are fully covered.
Trap Maintenance
The EasySet needs little maintenance, since the mechanism is enclosed.
Occasionally, the casing may get some earth inside it, particularly if the mole has filled it in a couple of times. Simply place the trap in a bucket of warm water for 5-10 minutes to loosen up any dried mud, then ‘swill around’ to clear the mud from inside.
If this doesn’t work, then it can easily be disassembled by undoing the 4 screws. Before unscrewing, make sure the trap is in the fired position. After cleaning, re-assemble as you found it.
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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