Mole Traps – 5 Tips On How To Pick The Best Ones
There aren’t many things worse than realizing you should have invested in those mole traps earlier. Before the little critter had a chance to create mayhem of your manicured lawn. Moles can wreak havoc on lawns, gardens, and fields as they feast on the worms, grubs, and other insects living beneath the surface. Once they’ve moved in, it’s no small thing trying to evict them. Preventing moles would mean eradicating those same beneficial creatures that help to make your landscapes beautiful and aerated. Since ridding your yard of these helpful bugs, worms, and other insects is usually not a plausible option, mole traps become necessary.
There are generally four different styles of mole traps to choose from:
- Choker Loop traps are similar to the snap traps often used for mice and rats. These are placed inside a mole’s tunnel and are effective at exterminating the pests by snapping on and tightening around them, killing them. Choker mole traps are among the most common, and are usually the more economical choice as well.
- Harpoon style traps make use of long sharp spikes that stick into the mole, killing it as it attempts to pass. These are best used in clay or sandy soil as rocks and other objects can catch under the spike, damaging the trap and letting the mole continue its merry romp.
- Scissor traps can be used as an alternative to the harpoon style traps and can accommodate a wider variety of soils and terrain. They prevent moles from passing by grabbing hold of them with two curved scissor-like blades. These can be beneficial as you can typically see if a mole has been caught without having to remove the trap first. They are also among the easiest of the mole traps to set. Scissor traps, along with the harpoon traps are set above ground, making them a breeze to work with.
- For a more humane option, pitfall traps are available. Pitfall traps use a catch and release design. They employ a large plastic tube-like container that the mole falls into as it passes over the top. These require a bit more work than the more lethal alternatives. After locating an active tunnel, dig a pit large enough to accommodate the container. Then place the trap and check it often to ensure the mole is found alive.
Are there alternative to mole traps?
If trapping the furry creatures does not sound appealing, there is also the pest repellent option. These use ultrasonic vibrations, unappetizing smells or tastes, or mixtures using castor oil to let the moles know they aren’t welcome. It’s also possible to use poisonous bait. Toxic chemical baits should be avoided as they can pose health risks to non-target animals and can seep into ground water posing dangers to humans as well.
So when there’s critters creeping under your yard, threatening to make a mess of your manicured lawn, don’t waste time before investing in one of these mole traps.
