How YOU can trap moles successfully! | K-State Research and Extension Guides

[@micahwest5347]

Best video on the subject I’ve found.

[@KSREWildlife]

Thank you for the positive feedback - we're glad you liked the video!

[@Bowmanganie]

There use to be a red fox that would den and raise pups in a brushpile behind my house. I loved having her around cause she would WRECK the mole population in the yards here. Have not seen her in a very long time, but every once in a while I will see a fox hole dig in a mole run and hope they are coming back around. While I don't necessarily care about the moles being there or not, they do spread to my neighbors yards, and as I am getting older it is more difficult for me to safely walk around in my yard with them here. I very much enjoyed your video and information. Happily the comments were wonderful and humorous. Not what I was expecting to find.

[@KSREWildlife]

We’re happy that you found the video helpful and informative! Yes, the comments are mostly fun and positive.

[@DavidWilson-vn7fm]

Thank you for this video, now I know why I haven’t been successful with my traps. Trap manufacturers should list your video in their instruction manuals!!! : )

[@KSREWildlife]

Thanks for the positive feedback - we're glad the video was helpful!

[@danp4769]

My neighbor had two cats. One went after birds. The other could care less about birds. She would listen to the lawn. She would dig and pull out a mole.

[@american7169]

I have one that concentrates on moles and gophers to, but I have 1 mole that still alludes him. Dang cat has half my yard dug up😂

[@DB-kl9bp]

That means the other cat cared about birds.

[@davem3789]

I have two cats, and they are totally oblivious to my mole problem.

[@LisaJohnson1967]

Could you ask your neighbor if they would be willing to contract their mole catching cat out to me for about a month?! 😁 Please make sure not to confuse which one is sent, as I like my birds! 😲😊 Willing to negotiate said contract. Will supply Greenies. Can bunk & eat with my kitties (9), all but two of which are afraid of the outdoors! 🙀

[@danp4769]

@@LisaJohnson1967 sorry but they moved out years ago. I wonder if you could somehow train one of your cats to hunt mole. Train with treats.

[@hackbritton3233]

I have learned that part of a happy life is to embrace the mole.

[@KSREWildlife]

Sounds like you've learned to live with moles!

[@shoneyell]

I like to firmly embrace moles also…in my scissor trap. I prefer the live & let live idea, until they killed my apple tree and started to tunnel under my blueberry bushes. Nope, too far mr. Mole. Game on!!

[@sflick2558]

Excellent video…clearly showing How-To set the traps. I have a harpoon trap but never any success. Recently bought a Victor out-of-sight scissor trap but the small illustrations on the box are worthless. Today I’ll set the scissor trap per your instructions. Thank you for a clear, informative video. I’ll let you know if it works

[@KSREWildlife]

Thank you for the positive feedback - we're glad you liked the video! Let us know how you do.

[@tomkat_Kansas]

Shout out to K State School of vet medicine. They are as good as their reputation. I will refocus on my harpoon trap, great video

[@CaptK-py8rq]

The trap I've had the best luck using is the Gopher Hawk. I have the others you showed but the G H seems to be the best. Thanks for your video!

[@KSREWildlife]

Thank you for the feedback. We will look into that trap and may add it to the arsenal for future videos.

[@grambothelegend7388]

Gopher Hawks need deeper tunnel runs than the mole runs I get which are more shallow. The GH isn't helpful then for me.

[@donaldnelson5078]

@@grambothelegend7388use a milk jug with the ends cut to hold trap up on shallow runs

[@RyanSnellenCFP]

Excellent video! Thank you Dr. Ricketts.

[@KSREWildlife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@poochie49]

I bought the eliminator traps. They work great. Now most people who claim they don't work just don't know where to place them. Always try to find their main tunnel. I usually step on the run at the point where the trigger will be. The mole pushes up on the flattened run and sets the trap. You have to have a little patience. They may take a few days to set. If you don't get a mole then try a new location. It works for me.

[@rfair123]

Thanks for taking the time to make a great video. I have a pair of one of the mole traps shown. I haven't had success with it, their directions made no mention of making an obstruction in the tunnel, didn't mention the difference btwn runs and feeding areas and said you caution not to touch any of the trap. I got some of the gimmicky solar powered vibratory stakes, seemed to work at first, but now they've become used to them apparently as they make no difference. They're also quite annoying according to my wife, the vibration makes a pretty audible sound. Armed with this new info I'm going to get them in the trap!

[@KSREWildlife]

Glad to hear you're going to trap again - identifying active travel corridors and properly placing the traps are definitely keys!

[@goodboyringo9716]

The last trap's prongs needs to be worked into the ground a few times to have a path because the spring isn't strong enough to fire through hard dirt. So work the prongs into the ground a few times before setting the trap.

[@tgawron2233]

This is such a good video. I use the scissor trap and have good sucess with it. The hardest part is getting the mole out of the trap. The scissor trap is so strong we use large grip pliers to release the mole. It takes two of us.

[@KSREWildlife]

Sounds like you've got a good system going!

[@DJazzy1]

where is the gopher hawk; it has been available 14+ years. I want to know if it works, and how well.

[@MarkS-to3np]

Is there a certain time of the day that moles are most active?

[@KSREWildlife]

Moles are likely to be active at anytime of the day or night. They are not specifically diurnal or nocturnal, likely because they spend almost all of their time below ground, where sunlight doesn’t make their life easier or expose them to predators.

[@egghead2000TJ]

No loop trap 😮 I had the best results with that type. Maybe next video : ) Great video !!

[@KSREWildlife]

Thanks for the feedback and suggestion - we'll keep it in mind for future videos.

[@robertchall8576]

That was some good information I have all of them traps plus some .

[@KSREWildlife]

Thank you for the positive feedback - we're glad you liked the video!

[@franciscomora3475]

Ya tendré una de esas trampas. Muchas gracias por enseñarme usarla.

[@KSREWildlife]

Me alegra que el video te haya sido útil!

[@johnroberts1509]

Thanks for this video. It is very informative 👍

[@KSREWildlife]

Thank you for the positive feedback - we're glad you liked the video!

[@mikeslater6246]

I don't recall what the Trap is called but thanks for straightening out the way I need to load the trap with the six spikes. I've been doing it the hard way!

[@KSREWildlife]

Glad to hear the video was helpful!

[@mikeslater6246]

@KSREWildlife very much so. I also didn't know about dimpling the trail below the trigger placement. Although the trap has worked at least once I'm not sure I haven't had moles pass right under it without activating it.

[@rhinomite5203]

I like the Gopher Hawk trap, seems to catch them pretty fast in my yard

[@KSREWildlife]

Thank you for sharing your experience and trap preferences!

[@doncook3584]

73 years had zero for 71. Last year discouraged 1 with roundup in very dry mulch run by garage. This year I must have a family in back yard. This month those cute bushy tails are destroying my front yard digging. Deployed BB gun and after 2 days I think those critters have associated my yard with danger. Time will tell. Glad to learn about moles. I erroneously thought they ate roots. Will identify runs and shop for traps. Very dry year so perhaps forced them to expand hunting area.

[@GaryFeltman]

They eat worms,grubs and things like that.

[@doncook3584]

@ thanks

[@Focus_On_Your_Driving]

I have found the Nash Mole Trap to be the best. Quick to set, no-muss, no-fuss. Have only missed 2 or 3 out of a dozen killed.

[@KSREWildlife]

Thank you for your suggestion! We will look into that trap option for future videos.

[@vickycollins6656]

What's the similarities and differences of mole and gopher

[@berrymanmontgomery7875]

I am a big fan of the Victor Out of Sight trap. A few years ago I caught 25 moles in one season in my berry patch. The Harpoon trap did not work for me.

[@KSREWildlife]

Thank you for sharing your experience and trap preferences!

[@mikenewell5683]

I have 2 old mole "traps" that you load a 410 shotgun shell into. They belonged to my grandparents. They are in need of some repairs so ive never used them.

[@KSREWildlife]

These traps likely have value as antiques, and definitely have educational value. We would be grateful for some pictures of the devices if you have them. Contact info is available at www.wildlife.k-state.edu

[@grambothelegend7388]

I must have watched dozens, maybe 100 videos on this subject. Everyone shows you their favorite traps and how to set them. Some, like this one, show you where to set them. What I really need is a bait to bring the mole back to the trap; traveling tunnels, feeding tunnels, or "whatever-tunnels", never seem to be used ever again once I set a trap there.

[@KSREWildlife]

There is not a bait that will reliably attract moles, which is why toxicants are often not successful at removing moles. If you identify active runs with a test hole as we demonstrate in the video, and properly set traps, you will capture the moles.

[@daviso4954]

I had my moles removed at the dermatologist's office.

[@Gonecrazy666]

“ molie molie molie” - Austin Powers, Goldmember🤣

[@brianhoxworth3881]

Had a dog that would've killed all the active moles in that area in about a hour. That's what she lived for to hunt moles.

[@CaptK-py8rq]

Same here, miniature Dachshund, she was born to hunt, basically anything that came into her airspace.

[@LBurou]

Great video, thank you :)

[@KSREWildlife]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@floraspec]

It took me watching your video specifically on the trapline trap dozens of times to realize some keys that you don't show clearly how to set all the key points. I'm new to using trapline traps, I recently bought my first dozen. I primarily use cinch type traps on gophers and the occasionally squirrels, holes twice size of a gopher. On one 34 acre rolling hill hay farm I have trapped here in Marion County in last 6 years, 300+ gophers. 34-1st yr, 37-2nd, 90-3rd, 78-4th, 36-5th, 24-6th, plus this years +7. It takes a lot of digging to get to side runs for gophers. The extra challenge of half dozen squirrel's. Gophers, squirrels, moles overlaying runs. Then you have voles that take over once you get rid of the other 3. We have flesh eating black beetles that clean up the body count once the fly maggots get going on them and yellow jackets help too. One thing you don't show or say and which is important yet vague visually without words. At 7:28 in the video, the long rod that holds the sensor on the spring side in place, on the jaws side the long rod loop barely holds one side of the jaw open. That is a key not shown well in other videos either. That has led to some channels showing the damage done to their fingers when all parts of the trap aren't correctly positioned. Always wear gloves when setting traps, best to use leather instead of cotton. I use lined leather for durability to help clean out tunnels. I learned back in the 1980's the Out of Sight traps triggers had to have sensor bent if soil too hard to push claws into the ground so that the mole would trip the trigger. Out here in Western Oregon we have a wide variety of species of mole sizes. Out of Sight traps work well for medium to large size moles, as well as do mole bait. Smaller moles won't take the mole bait since the worms they eat are smaller than earth worms. Some mole species are very small, more like a shrew or a vole or even smaller, with tunnel sizes from

[@delano62]

Very informative.

[@KSREWildlife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karlcurtis2004]

I suggest the "No Mole" traps, very effective. They even work when the ground is partly frozen.

[@KSREWildlife]

Thank you for the suggestion! We will look into that trap option for future videos.

[@AmyPhelan-q1q]

Do these work for ground squirrels?

[@KSREWildlife]

No, different traps and methods would be needed for ground squirrels. Here is a link to good information about managing ground squirrels produced by the University of California system: www.groundsquirrelbmp.com/management-cgs.html. Depending on the species of ground squirrel that you are dealing with, you may need larger or smaller traps. We can provide more specific information if we know the state you are located in and species of ground squirrel the you're dealing with.

[@beebob1279]

I was taught moles are M for meat eater. Voles are V for vegetables. Is this correct?

[@KSREWildlife]

Yes, moles eat insects, worms, and other small critters that live in the soil. Voles eat vegetation.

[@DanMaul-ip1is]

My yards is wrecked with moles. On 8 acres I have a lot of patrolling to do

[@kennyg9018]

I have several kinds of traps, the Gonzo Mega Grip, Trapline, Cinch Trap, and the Victor Harpoon trap. The harpoon trap is the only one that I've ever caught moles with. We have real rocky soil and scissor traps are almost impossible to set. The Gonzo Mega Grip is like setting a bear trap the spring is so strong. The Cinch traps are terrible about rusting, and I have never caught a mole with the Trapline.

[@KSREWildlife]

The harpoon trap has definitely caught many moles over the years and is a tried and true design. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@GaryFeltman]

Back in the old days people would take the fur from the mole and make powder puffs! The fur is super soft and very fine.

[@GregoryRowe-fj8bv]

Never had any success with traps but the gummie type poison worms work wonderfully

[@KSREWildlife]

Research conducted at K-State and elsewhere does not show that toxicants are consistently effective at controlling moles. In our studies, mole activity in treated yards was reduced by 14% after 2 treatments during 3 weeks. You can fool some of the moles all of the time, and all of the moles some of the time, but you’ll never fool all of the moles all of the time…

[@brianredban9393]

I have a ton of moles and voles I put down mole max because I'm afraid to trap and kill chipmunks. Is there any way to set traps to make sure it only catches moles and voles and won't get chipmunks?

[@mtpocketswoodenickle2637]

I bought two WIRE-TEK mole Eliminator® traps this spring that are pet friendly and impressively effective. They're a bit pricey but built like a tank and very easily set.

[@KSREWildlife]

Although chipmunks and other rodents often occupy abandoned mole runs, they do not typically live in active runs. The trap sets we demonstrate should not capture chipmunks when properly placed in active runs. We also show how to determine if a run is active. Runs that are occupied by rodents should have visible entrances at some point along the run.

[@tombrown8328]

what about the human sent

[@KSREWildlife]

There is no need to be concerned about trap contamination with human scent when trapping moles. When traps are set properly in active runs, they will catch moles whether or not the trap setter wears gloves.

[@dsheppard8492]

Cinch traps were by far the best I used. here in the pacific n w. I trapped about 200 moles and had the best success with them. Made by a shop in Beaverton Or.

[@jimstafslien168]

Hello, would you possibly have the name of the shop or their website? Thank you, Jim

[@johnd4348]

Moles dont make as much damage as my dogs do trying to dig them out of their tunnels. The dogs dig up the entire yard.

[@mikemarti2073]

😂❤

[@mikemarti2073]

I used to live in an area that was mostly Sandy soil. My successful method was, tap down all the tunnels and wait. If you have a larger infected area, I would walk gently and keep observing any more movement from the existing tunnels. Then with a pitchfork in hand…………👏

[@KSREWildlife]

If you have the time to watch for mole activity, the approach you suggest can work. However, properly set traps are working whether or not we are present, and tend to be more efficient than the approach you describe.

[@chriswilson9076]

My boxer/rottie mix learned how to hunt them. She would listen for them then wait, when they finally moved, pounce. New toy. She never killed any, but her level of play didn't mesh well with the moles level of play.

[@tonystafano4028]

I prefer the harpoon trap because it leaves the mole in the ground as the others the mole has to be removed from the trap

[@nikkiblack5073]

I'm glad it wasn't dynamite.😂😂😂 Good to see you still have all your fingers.🎉🎉🎉😂😂😂

[@RubberRivet]

"there's only one way to get rid of a mole" Jasper Carrott 😄

[@mlr-h6x]

Gopher Hawk. I set them in the tunnels and have not missed yet.

[@KSREWildlife]

Thank you for sharing your experience and trap preferences!

[@katielyb]

I've killed two moles in my yard a year for the past two years. I don't think trapping them would help alleviate my issue.

[@KSREWildlife]

Moles can’t be excluded or repelled, so removing or tolerating them is the solution to stopping the damage when it occurs. It sounds like you’ve found a way to remove the moles when you have them.

[@med1273]

I HAVE THEM SO BAD THINKING ABOUT A WELL PLACED CHARGE IF I KNEW WHERE TO GET ONE

[@haroldmillsap3845]

You need to do a video on trapping pocket gophers...

[@KSREWildlife]

Thanks for the suggestion! We will add a pocket gopher control video to the list.

[@robertmceuen3630]

Our Labrador can show you how to trap moles-and gophers and squirrels...

[@Sheila2024-x8w]

Why doesn’t this work for me? I must be doing something wrong. It’s a scissors trap.

[@KSREWildlife]

Sorry that you’re having trouble catching moles. The most important step that we see folks overlook is finding active runs. Next, it is very important to set the trap so that it is deep enough and lined up correctly so that the jaws are straddling the run. Double check those sections of the video to make sure that you’re doing things right. If you are still not successful, try reaching out to your local extension office to see if someone there can give you more specific advice after visiting your yard.

[@Sheila2024-x8w]

@ thank you so much. I will double check this. I’m sure somewhere in this process I have done it wrong.

[@Sheila2024-x8w]

If you kill one, do they slide off the scissors and stay in the ground?

[@KSREWildlife]

@@Sheila2024-x8w No, the scissors will tightly grip the mole, and the trap with captured mole will usually be somewhat difficult to remove from he ground like you can see in the video. If you are having sprung traps with no mole captured, then it is likely that you are not getting the trap set just right. Either the jaws aren't correctly straddling the run, or the run may be too deep for the jaws to capture the mole when it passes through. If the runs are too deep, then you will need to make a "deep run set" like I demonstrate in the video where the tunnel is dug out and the trap placed down in the ground.

[@samwilliams1142]

It took my dog 11 years to get the idea of finding the mole without digging a trench.

[@eileenvernor832]

IDK, I think Bill Murray was on to something.

[@waydwnbama-way3089]

Or get you two fiest dog pups a shovel and a rake they will dig your yard up and occasionally catch a mole take the shovel cover up the ditch they dug and use the rake to get any loose material that was left. shzzzz just kidding their a lot of fun.

[@PaulKitchen-t8q]

Anybody can trap them. How to cook them is a whole other talent.

[@rfair123]

Would putting a hose down the tunnel and flooding it be effective?? *Someone should make a movie based on that :D

[@KSREWildlife]

There are definitely videos that show the method you mention. Unfortunately, most people don’t have the time or patience to solve their mole problems by flooding. I would classify that as a gimmicky option that can work sometimes.

[@phyllisremde8204]

That doesn't work

[@samwilliams1142]

We have gophers and moles. Gophers do eat plants.

[@audiss111]

"caught"

[@rogermartin404]

You can train almost any Labrador dog to dig for moles... they love doing it and will work for hours to get those stinky mud rats.

[@Me2-l4m]

Get a dachshund

[@Truthseeker-cv2mvp]

Are moles good for anything? Trying to justify just leaving them be but im having a hard time doing so...

[@KSREWildlife]

Moles are native species in most areas where they occur, and they play an important role as predators of grubs and other invertebrates that live in the soil. Their digging activity also aerates the soil. Many of the critters that moles eat damage the roots of turf grasses by feeding on them, so moles provide a service by eating the grubs. On the other hand, the digging activity of moles creates soil disturbances that folks who want to have a very nice looking lawn dislike, and view as worse than the damage done by insects feeding on the grass. The important question is "does the mole digging activity bother you?" If it doesn't, then there is no reason to trap the moles, unless you are required to by an HOA or some other authority who may be trying to limit the spread of moles from one lawn to another. If the mole digging does bother you, then trapping is the best way to stop the problem. I keep my lawn mowed, but am not concerned about the appearance of the lawn beyond the height of the grass or any weeds that may grow. I enjoy seeing many different critters in my yard, and moles are a species that I like to see, so I don't trap them in my own yard. However, if mole digging ever becomes severe enough to cause people to trip, or begins to bother me or my family, then I will trap them. I'm a wildlife biologist, though, so I often perceive things a little differently than many other folks do. Moles digging in my yard represents a native critter completing it's daily activities and doesn't bother me. Perception of many things often depends on our perspective... On the other hand, a species that is likely to damage a structure, vehicles, etc. is not welcome in my yard. Eastern woodrats (packrats) are a good example of such a species. They are native where I live, but they have a bad habit of chewing up wiring in vehicles, making homes in sheds and garages where they can damage stored items, etc. This doesn't mean that they should be eradicated from areas where they can do their thing without bothering people, but the traps come out in full force if I see any signs of woodrats in my yard.

[@Truthseeker-cv2mvp]

@KSREWildlife wow that's a lot of good info, thank you! My dad is actually the one with the mole invasion and it does seem to get on his nerves. Honestly it's just the way he's wired because it's a country type yard. They keep running around all around where he has small trees planted and he's worried that they could damage the roots but he's just guessing on that. Also recently they have started up activity right off of his breezeway area, coming within a foot or so of the concrete pad. I think as far as that area goes he just doesn't really like to step off into mole run. He has a bad back and if jars his back if he's not paying attention. I've about got his gopher issue under control, been trapping gophers since I was a small kid but I never have tried to trap a mole. We live in Oklahoma and there is an extension office near his house so I think I'll check with them first to see if they have traps for rent or to borrow. I really appreciate all of the info you provided. I just learned more about moles than I had ever known. Thanks a million!