Moles are animals that live underground by building tunnels. They are often considered pest rodents, because they have a habit of digging in lawns and destroying plants in search of food. Traditional remedies for getting rid of a moles infestation, such as putting mothballs or caustic soda in mounds of dirt, are generally ineffective, while more expensive methods, such as chemicals or explosives, can be counterproductive, dangerous, or illegal. The best way to prevent your garden from becoming an intricate tunnel crossroads is to catch live or dead moles.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Setting a Trap
Step 1. Find the tunnels of the mole
Look for the mounds of earth. The mounds are recognizable by the presence of mounds of fresh earth. Generally, they represent the exit of the tunnels, then probe the surrounding grassy areas, even at a considerable distance, to find areas that are soft to the touch. Moles like to dig their own tunnels along structures such as fences or other barriers, so search around these buildings to find tunnels.
Step 2. Determine if the tunnel is active
Step on it to collapse a section at both ends. Earth should close off the tunnel access. Wait a day and check if the collapse has been excavated again. If so, you've found an active tunnel.
Step 3. Display part of the gallery
Use a garden tool and dig out a section of it. Before placing the trap, compact the earth at the bottom of the tunnel so that the animal cannot burrow under it. You should also cover the burrow with soil to prevent the mole from continuing to dig and drop it into the trap.
Step 4. Fix the trap
There are many models; most use different capture techniques, but they are nearly all lethal. There are vise, harpoon and noose traps, just to name a few. Read the instructions very carefully to understand how to best prepare the device. Change the trap settings to make the trigger mechanism very sensitive. When you understand how to open and arrange the tool, place it in the section of the tunnel you opened.
- If you have a model scissors: Place the jaws near some loose soil in the center of the tunnel. Walk away leaving the blades open and free. The blades should make a bridge across the path of the tunnel and must be pushed into the ground about 2.5 cm. Arm the trap by following the instructions included in the package.
- If you have chosen the harpoon trap: arrange it by placing it "astride" in the tunnel with both supports stuck in the ground on either side of the tunnel itself. Gently push the props into the earth by placing the trigger element (the square, flat piece of metal) just above the ground. Pull the trigger tab up to arm the trap.
- If it is one noose trap: Dig a hole in the "ceiling" of a tunnel using garden tools. Make the hole a little deeper than the tunnel itself, but the same width. Put the noose in the tunnel, respecting exactly the angle of the path of the mole. Close the open part of the trap (in front of the noose) with well-compacted earth, so that the animal continues to dig and gets trapped.
Step 5. Cover the trap
Use a large bucket or something similar to keep children and pets from approaching the area. The bucket also blocks the light and the rodent will therefore be induced to continue digging.
Step 6. Remove the trap
Check it every day to see if you have been successful. When you have finally managed to catch the rodent, remove both the trap and the mole. If after two days you still don't get any results, move the trap to a new area.
There are many reasons why a device may not work (change in digging habits, too many disturbing factors near tunnels, poor trap preparation), but you have to proceed by trial and error and consider placing it elsewhere on your property
Step 7. Dispose of the animal
Grab it after wrapping your hand in a plastic bag; turn the latter upside down without losing your grip on the mole and finally drop it into the container. Knot the opening of the bag to close it and throw it in the trash (if municipal regulations allow it).
Method 2 of 5: Dig the Ground to Get the Mole
Step 1. Find a new tunnel or mound
The animal is more likely to frequent a newly excavated path often. You can locate newer piles by looking for piles of fresh soil. The tunnels, consequently, extend from the mound, so you must look for soft grassy areas that branch off from this point. Check the tunnel or mound frequently early in the morning or evening and see if there is any movement under the surface of the soil.
Moles do most of their business at these times of the day, so you need to take advantage of that
Step 2. Approach the tunnel or mound
Wait and observe the ground for movements that indicate an active mole. When you notice them, approach them very slowly so as not to alarm the animal.
Remember to wear protective gloves before trying this method. You will have to take the mole with your hands and you must not get bitten
Step 3. Pull the rodent out of the ground
Stick a spade or shovel deep (15-20cm) just behind the mole. This way, you prevent it from escaping while you try to get it off your property. Once you are able to lift it off the ground, grab it with your hands and place it in a bucket to get rid of it later. Do not let the animal continue digging in the garden after lifting it with the shovel.
- This is a non-lethal method of killing rodents, but you will end up with a lot of holes in your lawn.
- However, there are some chances of failing to dig the surrounding soil and injure the mole with the shovel.
Step 4. Call the competent veterinary ASL
Ask where and how you can release the live rodent after capturing it. As previously described, there may be both laws governing this kind of activity and moral implications.
Method 3 of 5: Flood the Galleries
Step 1. Find an active mound
The presence of a mound of fresh earth on the sides indicates that the area is frequented by the mole. The mound represents the opening of the tunnels and the access way to flood them. When you run the water inside the tunnels, the earth will collapse and flow along the paths, bringing the animals out into the open.
Step 2. Run the water into the heap
Put the tip of the garden hose into the soil opening and open the tap. You don't have to open it with a lot of pressure, because you have to prevent the tunnel system from flooding too quickly. You must trick the mole into believing that it is about to be carried away by the water, so that it escapes to the surface.
Step 3. Keep a bucket handy to catch any escaping rodents
You will need to prepare near the other mounds present, to grab the moles as they try to escape and put them in the bucket to get rid of them later. The bucket is a safe container in which to put the animals and from there they can no longer dig into the lawn.
Remember to wear protective gloves when touching moles, their sharp teeth can tear the skin
Step 4. Call the veterinary ASL for advice on how and where to release the animals you have taken
There may be restrictions on the places and methods of release, it is therefore better to have precise instructions from the competent office.
Method 4 of 5: Catching Live Moles
Step 1. Put a bucket under a tunnel
You can recognize a mound of mole from the mounds of fresh earth on your property. The tunnels open outside at the mounds, then probe the grassy area that surrounds them to see if it is softer to the touch or when you step on it. When you find the layout of a tunnel, dig a hole until you reach the inside and then even deeper. Dig just enough to fit an 8-20 liter bucket under the tunnel path.
Step 2. Destroy the edges of the tunnel
Compact the earth around the bucket to block the mole's way from all sides. This way, you force the animal to dig again until it crosses the compacted soil and falls into the bucket.
Step 3. Cover the hole you dug
Hide the part of the tunnel you dug with a sod or large wooden plank to prevent access to sunlight. This "trick" deceives the mole, who thinks he continues to dig underground even when he has instead passed the top of the tunnel you destroyed.
Step 4. Capture the animal in the bucket
Remove the piece of plywood or sod and check the hole every day to see if any mole has fallen into it. If you find the animal, you have captured it!
Step 5. Contact your local veterinary ASL
Find out about the area where you can release the mole you caught. Generally, you can release it in a wooded area away from your property, but there may be restrictive local laws governing the release of pests into other people's territory. It could also be quite cruel to release a mole that has suffered severe stress following capture, especially if the specimen has little chance of surviving in the wild.
If you have any doubts, call the veterinary ASL and ask if there are any alternatives
Method 5 of 5: Fumigation
Step 1. Place dry ice at various points in the tunnel system
Arrange dry ice in pieces or pellets along the tunnels. You should put a piece of dry ice in each outlet or opening to make sure the entire tunnel is filled with smoke when you add the water.
Wear protective gloves every time you handle dry ice
Step 2. Pour some water on each piece of dry ice
Insert the water hose into the opening and sprinkle some water on each piece of ice. This creates carbon dioxide, a gas that will kill moles.
Step 3. Cover each tunnel opening
After adding the water, it is necessary to seal each outlet. Fill each tunnel opening with dirt to make sure the moles are unable to escape.
Advice
- Do not install the traps near the mounds, but only in the middle of the tunnels. These rodents often don't leave following the same path they came from, but they remove obstructions from active tunnels.
- Do not place traps during cold or dry periods, as moles tend to take refuge at greater depths.
- The beginning of spring and autumn are suitable times for capturing these animals, as they are very active in these seasons. Warm days after rains are ideal, as moles hunt for earthworms and dig a lot of tunnels.
- The presence of several mounds in a straight line is a good indicator of a main tunnel, especially if these appear within a few days. Moles tend to exploit human constructions, so main tunnels are often made along roads, building foundations and fences.
- Harpoon traps are best for killing moles in shallow tunnels. The scissors are used for deeper tunnels. Non-lethal traps (which capture the animal without killing it) are commercially available or you can build them with a plank and a large bucket.
Warnings
- Always read carefully and strictly follow the instructions attached to the traps. Both scissors and harpoon models can cause serious injury if used incorrectly.
- When handling a live or dead mole, always wear gloves.
