Dealing with Moles

My yard has been inundated with Moles this year...tunnels are everywhere. While mowing the lawn I noticed them fleeing into the mulch beds. I have discovered an easy and inexpensive way to rid your property of these pesky rodents.

Tools of the Trade

Here's what you need to get started:

• Flags to mark where you set your traps



• Wooden mouse traps available at any hardware store



• Leather gloves to protect your hands while setting and (hopefully) emptying the traps

Find Active Mole Runways

Moles create runways through your lawn and garden as they forage for grubs and worms. You can notice the runways pretty easily, dead tufts of grass are a giveway. Here's a picture of one from my yard...i parted the grass back with a trowel so you can see what the runway looks like.

Set the Traps

I've found that using 2 traps per runway works best. Position them in the mole runway back to back in the runway so that you can trap them when they are travelling in either direction. Be sure and wear gloves in case the trap goes off while you are setting. Once the traps are set, carefully place them in the mole runway.

Cover the Traps

Sprinkle some dead crass over the runway where you have placed the traps. This will keep the sun from reflecting off the copper parts of the traps.

Finally, use the flags to mark where the

traps have been set.

Check/Empty Traps daily

• I have trapped 6 moles in 2 days with this method.


• Use gloves when handling the trap and disposing of the mole

Things to Watch Out For

• Don't place near bird feeders


• Keep children and pets away from areas where traps have been set