The Art of Mole Trapping - Why Use a Trap?
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If you would like to go in to more detail, and learn the ins and outs of all the various mole control methods and devices available, you should see our detailed booklet entitled Mole Removal: The Options.
Essentially the choices boil down to:
Killing Traps are widely considered to be by far the best method. Although many types of trap are poor and will not work, if you choose the right one they can be an easy to use and efficient mole control method. Good traps such as the EasySet, Duffus, or Talpex Trap will give a humane kill, and will not cause unnecessary suffering. They are also very unlikely to harm non-target species, and will not contaminate the local food chain. See more here...
Live Capture Traps are probably the second best option. Most are simple tubes with one-way flaps at each end. Since the mole will have to climb inside, they are not quite so reliable as a good killing trap so may not be the preferred option. The benefit, of course, is that the mole is not killed. Note: you MUST check live traps every 12 hours. If a mole is left confined in the small space for extended periods he will die of stress - a cruel end. You will also need to find somewhere to release him. See more here...
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Poisons are generally ineffective since it is very difficult to get the mole to ingest them. Moles only feed on live prey, so will generally not eat poisoned worms or other contaminated ‘snacks’ that you might leave them. Additionally, most effective poisons have now been banned by the EU or require a specialist licence to buy or use. See more here...
Booby Traps are sharp things placed in the mole run. This is pointless as the mole will simply tunnel around the offending obstacle. See more here...
Repellents are often cited to work. Favourites are sonar stakes, mole smokes, castor oil sprays and special odorous plants. Unfortunately, most evidence shows that these methods work either only sporadically or not at all. The mole may be deterred for a short period, but will usually return; often they will simply dig a new set of tunnels around a contaminated area – resulting in even more mole hill damage. See more here...
Environment Modification covers things like underground fences. A response of this scale is expensive and time consuming to implement. It will also do nothing if a mole manages to get around it! See more here...
The Professional Services of a mole catcher or pest controller are always an option. Nearly all will use a mechanical killing trap and will charge either per visit or per mole. You should be aware that a neighbouring mole will usually move into a vacated burrow, so expect to have the mole catcher back a few times! See more here...
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