Learning How To Catch A Mole

By Deborah Morris


There's nothing worse than going outside and observing the once beautiful lawn that existed, has now become an underground amusement park to a homeowner's most destructive pest. This little critter, known as a mole, can tear up the most fertile of lawns. Even though it is tiny, it sure can do a lot of damage. Many homeowners want to know how to catch a mole and get rid of it for good.

Moles can be very quick when it comes to building tunnels. They can be caught by either trapping it and killing it, or by nicer methods. This is usually done by using traps or certain repellents. One should be on the look out for activity in the early morning hours because they are usually very active at that time.

The first thing that an individual needs to do is look for a tunnel in ones yard or garden. Make sure to step on the tunnel in a couple spots to make sure the soil is level with the ground. The next morning, if the spots are no longer level, that means the tunnel is yet active and the rodent is yet on the loose.

Now, if one decides to use the trap method, make sure to dig a whole that is a little bit wider than that of the trap diameter in a specific section. Choosing a spot that is at least 18 inches away from one of the dirt mounds is best. Look to see if the tunnel is about 8 inches below the surface. Try locating a deeper tunnel by taking a stick and pushing it into the ground. If the soil collapses, there may be a deeper tunnel present.

Setting the trap is simple. Make a mound of dirt that should be located in the center of the hole to set the trap on. The mole will think that it must be a blocked tunnel and start to dig. This sets off the trap. The trap should be set where the pan of the trigger moves against the mound of soil.

To make sure no light pokes through, sprinkle soil on top of the trap. All that is left to do is wait once the safety catch on the trap is released. Everyday, check and see if the critter was caught and if so, dispose of it quickly. However, if mole activity seems to be continuing, set the trap in a new location.

Another method would to just simply create a repellent. This can be done by combining Castor oil, liquid dish detergent, and mixing them with a gallon of water. Once mixed, fill a spray bottle with the mixture.

Spray major tunnels and areas where the pests generally like to hang out. This may be a better solution for those who are concerned about having dangerous chemicals around their children or pets. The whole situation can be frustrating, but the problem can be rectified in a matter of days.




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