Mole

Moles are rarely seen as these blackish-brown mammals live mostly underground. They dig out a system of tunnels and chambers, and dispose of the excavated soil by throwing up molehills. Apart from the spring breeding season, moles lead largely solitary lives, so all the activity in a small garden could be due to a single animal. Moles feed on earthworms and other soil-dwelling creatures which fall into their tunnels. Moles constantly patrol their tunnels looking for these trapped invertebrates. Moles high metabolic rate means they have to eat at least every four hours. We do not advise live traps for moles because of their need to eat very frequently.

Best Methods for Controlling your Pest

DIY or The Professionals?

Small garden infestations can easily be controlled yourself. Refer to our Illustrated Guide for assistance
large farm infestations are best left to the local molecatcher as it can be a time consuming business.

Mole control options:

Duffus Tunnel Traps and Scissor Traps: Both these lethal trapping methods work well with a little patience and understanding of mole habits. Don't buy cheap mass-produced far-eastern rubbish; they don't last and worse, their trip mechanisms tend to be very unreliable. Good quality traps will give a lifetime of good service.

Here's how to catch that mole:

Locate a feeding tunnel about 10-20cm deep. (use our probe and gently push it into the ground between two molehills, as the probe enters the run, you will feel the presure you are exerting ease as the bulbous end of the probe drops into the tunnel. You will be able to gentle move the probe up and down a couple of centemetres as the bulb touches the top and bottom of the tunnel confirming to yourself you have found a good tunnel).
Excavate a hole down to the tunnel and about the size of the trap you are using. Make sure that the excavation is lengthways along the tunnel.
Use a spoon to get all the small bits of soil debris out ot the tunnel.
Set the trap and gently place it in the tunnel so that the trip mechanism is more or less central in the tunnel diameter.
Don't put the soil back but just place the turf back over the hole without impairing the trap mechanism.
Check every 24 hours and place in a new situation if it has not caught after a couple of days.

Poisoning: This option is only available to registered and trained molecatchers.

Deterrents: In my opinion these are a waste of time and money; but if anyone knows of a system that genuinely works and doesn't just send the mole to another part of the lawn, I would like to know.