I fought this battle a couple years back. I went out and stomped the tunnels down, and kept and eye on it. During a light rain I saw part of the tunnels getting pushed back up. I attacked like CONAN with a garden spade. I popped him out of the soil and he showed me his gnarly teeth. I dispatched him in one swift motion. In the mud and blood I felt like a true lawn warrior... The wife wasn't impressed, but I knew the score. The beer flowed. It was good that night.
I need a few of these. They've been driving me crazy every year. I do my best to keep my lawn looking good and then they come to ruin it. I've noticed that in the fall is when mole activity really picks up in my area. Thank you for posting this video Sir! Marco P.
I had a mole problem that was driving me nuts. To correct the problem I built a Owl Box, attracted a beautiful Barred Owl who now resides on my property and guess what? No more moles or anything else including snakes
@@remi3990 I live south of Tampa Florida and would google to see if any owls live in your area. If they do then I would read up on how to attract them to your property. It could be as easy as building a home for them
The spike plunger trap caught maybe 2 moles for me. My golf course friend convinced me to go the the eliminator style trap. Money! Almost every time, if I'm in the right tunnel, within 12 hours there is a catch. Sometimes within 20 minutes. Added tip I didn't see Allyn mention: I "trip" the trap several times with a pole while it's in the ground. Gives the jaws an easier path to travel through the soil. Much more effective that way.
Great video, Live in southwest Michigan, picked up a couple scissor traps yesterday afternoon and ended this moles 3 years of terror in less than 18 hours!!!
This is the ONLY type mole trap I use as well and I've tried the plunger type and the Out Of Sight traps. The out of sight traps are like setting a giant mouse trap and super tricky to set into the ground. I've also tried juicy fruit, caster oil, hot sauce, smoke, poison worms and water. I can honestly say the "Easy Set" mole trap is the ONLY thing that worked in my yard. Once I set it in the main run I've identified, I get them EVERY SINGLE time! One thing I do when setting that you didn't show is; once set, I'll pull up on the trap slightly to free up the jaws a little more (or so they aren't sunk into the bottom of the tunnel). These traps cost more than the others but the extra cost is well worth it in my opinion. Thanks for sharing Allyn.
@@daakrolb "Easy Set" There are variants out there now so basically you want the type where you step on it to set it. I will then pull it up slightly so the jaws are good a free to close on the mole.
Moles will often use edges like sidewalks as their guidelines. Irrigation lines are also in these areas. If you are using a 'spring' type trap, be careful not to put it over your irrigation plumbing or wires. 😊
Caught 8 of them, last season, with those scissor traps! Got good enough with them that I could set the trap and within 30 minutes had another dead mole. Such a satisfying feeling to look out and see that trap sprung.
I use both types The spike type is easier for the mole to trip. Where the sizzor type sometimes needs to have the trigger adjusted, filed, tweeked and dialed in, so it triggers more easily. After buying a foreclosure with a huge mole problem, we hammered 11 moles in 5 days. Way too many grubs in thst lawn, so how about a video on how to eliminate what's attracting the moles too. Thanks for all your great videos.
Moles don’t just eat grubs. They eat earthworms mostly. I never have a grub problem but get overrun by moles because my soil is like a swimming pool for them. They love moist soil that’s easy to move through. So if you irrigate your yard, you’ll attract moles more often than other people who don’t.
You're spot on with respect to the mole's 'highways' vs the side streets. I take the fiberglass poles to mark the driveway edges for snow blowing (a northern thing) and poke them in what I think are the highways. Usually in a day or so, I'll spot one or more that has been shoved, indicating that run is active. The Victor trap - I've drawn more blood from me setting it than killing the moles. Terrible traps.
I agree on the scissor style trap. I used both as well and that was the only one that worked. Got my mole in just a couple hours. And yes, it’s all about finding those main tunnels. Great video!
Spot on advice Allen! As someone who has successfully eliminated 80+ moles in my yard over 4 yrs with the plunger/spike style trap, finding the highway is key. With constant mole problems you can keep a trap in the highway and catch them before they cause extensive damage
@@onecrazywheel my theory is that different traps work in different soil types. I’m in the transition zone in TN with a firmer soil than him in Florida. The spike trap needs soil friction to keep the stakes in place when the spikes come down or else you don’t get good penetration. Also “pre-tapping” the spike holes helps. Install the trap with the spikes down so that they have already perforated the soil, then set the spring. Now the spikes have little resistance once deployed making it hit faster and with a harder force than having to break through dirt before hitting target. Another tip is to set the trigger plate just a smidge off the ground; it gives the moles a little room to get fully underneath before activating
Love the wire-tek traps. I've also had good luck with gopher hawk mole traps. If there are alot of tunnels/runs, I use those utility marking flags to mark the tunnels before stomping them down. You can see pretty clearly when stepping back where the main tunnel is. I have about ten traps and sent them all along the main tunnel/run.
I used the scissor trap last Monday. It sprung after about 15 minutes, and I had my mole. I really don't like killing anything, but one tore the hell out of my yard last year. Deterring them only sends them to the neighbors yard I've read where they are very antisocial, and there's a good chance there is only one doing all the damage. Nonetheless, I'm ready if the ground pops up again.
Great video! Bought a couple of the Wire-Tek traps after a fews years of no success using non-lethal means. They are great. Also would suggest moving the trap to a different tunnel after 24 hours if no mole was caught. Most likely selected the wrong tunnel.
With the plunger (spikes) trap you have to check first that the ground is soft and the soil is loose enough for the trap to work. The best way to do this is to release the trap (spikes down) and then push it into the ground a few times, then set it so your spikes will go into the openings you just made. You might find obstructions like rocks or roots, or you might find that the ground is too hard and instead of the spikes driving down, when the spring releases the spikes actually push the trap up and out of the ground. There is almost nothing more frustrating than knowing your mole hit the release plate and you missed it anyway. My most effective method has actually been to go outside every so often with a shovel, look for new ridges, and eventually you get lucky and you'll see the ground move ever so slightly. It's over pretty quickly after that. PS wear gloves while setting that trap. I have had bleeding under the skin from getting pinched.
I have had good success with the gopher hawk. Last season I got one within 30 minutes of setting it. I feel the gopher hawk is much easier to set. Thanks LCN.
While you can use the gopher hawk for moles it isn't really that good for moles. It's better for pocket gophers. Pocket gophers are usually deeper tunnels. These are much better foe the shallow tunnels of moles. I ahbe both and use both. The gopher hawks are the best foe gophers I've ever used, even good for voles. But these are better for those shallow tunnels. It's hard to get the gopher hawk to stand up in such shallow runs. I have used bricks around it to help hold it in place but again these scissor ones are what I prefer for moles as well. I've got 4 of each and right now they are getting used.
Never had much luck with the spike plunger type but did good with the scissors type. A dark bucket over trap to block out any light seems to help. You can even get them with a shovel if you sit in a chair at dusk you can spot the ground movement but they are very sensitive to any kind of walking around.
Those scissor traps do work very well! Just last week I used a garden hose and flooded every tunnel I could find in my front and back yards. That drove ONE MOLE to the surface (it was immediately dispatched!) and, as of today, NONE of the tunnels have reappeared.
This guy is 💯 right. In my experience 9 times out of 10, the mole highway is along bed edging, buried downspout pipe, and irrigation lines and particularly sidewalks…..
The scissor traps are the one I have best luck with as well. Caught 3 last year but couldn't get the last 1-2 in the fall. Still in my backyard so its gonna be on when it warms up a bit.
Took me about 3 days to wait out mine but I just noticed after a storm this evening that my trap had been tripped. I have a confirmed catch! ☠️ I always appreciate your equipment recommendations. Thanks!
Allyn after 20 + years of mole problems in West Michigan I finally got wise. The scissor traps or the spike traps don't work for me in my yard, only 3 to 4 inches deep. The moles in my yard run approx. 12 to 18 inches deep. GopherHawk trap works great with no dead grass. 12 for 12 last fall!
Im in way upstate NY. I bet one reason we have deeper runs is because of the ground freezing in the winter. Im at war with mine. Im going to try this gopherhawk.
Long time listener, first time caller here; hey Allyn, Victor makes a spike/gauntlet style “trap” that is extremely easy to set. It’s my go to as I go to battle every year against the little buggers… I’ve used the scissor style, old spike (pain to set for sure!) a loop style, trapped them by digging in a coffee can and catching them… I’ve done it all (bait, gas, etc.). The Victor spike yields the most kills for sure… check it out and they make a HD version with more spring!! Enjoy the hunt. I usually grab a chair and a 6 pack and just look like a crazy man in my front yard…🤷🏼♂️
I've used the plunger type mole trap that you don't like for many years and have killed many moles with it. We have rocky soil and it's too difficult to get the other type into the ground. They are easy to set. First you don't set them and then put them in the ground, you put them in the ground then pull the spring up. I've even caught some moles alive where they were trapped between the spikes. Caught one yesterday alive, but didn't remain that way. We live in the country and the tear up our yard but I keep after them.
Just an FYI....the Gopherhawk trap has been fantastic for me. You may need to put bricks or something to keep the top from tipping over, due to the shallow depth the trap is set. Just figured I'd mention. ///////......anyway, you get the idea, my mole count with this trap is 18 over the past 4 years. ✌️To all and good luck
A hint ive learebd for working with these is to keep them clean, and also may need to loosen up the nut in the middle to allow it to spring into action easier. You can lessen the pressure it takes to set it off. Also step down on the tunnel, push the trap all the way down then wiggle side to side to help loosen up the soil to where the arms will be able to cut through the dirt easier. Then slightly pull up just a hair on the trao to where you see the trigger barely touching the ground.
Thanks Allen, the key success with ye ole' mole hunt is definitely to identify the routes of activity and strike when the iron is hot! Good stuff as always.
This was a fun video for me because I did the very same thing you guys do: I did research on RU-vid, chose the method that looked best for me, and then I got success. Perfect!
I have a few of the pull traps that sends spikes down, I can get these at yard sales for 1 dollar, when placing over the run pull the forces up and down a few times so when triggered it will shoot down and get the mole. I will work the spikes up and down a few times then pull it up a little then set the mechanism then carefully move trap down to where the trigger paddle is right above the ground.
I've lived in the same home for 20 years. I would see the mole activity now and then but did not pay much attention to it. A few months ago I had some new sod put in the back yard. The landscaper told me I had mole activity, and it was crazy. I decided to try and fight them initially with the battery operated "mole chasers." I bought a 4-pack. Worthless. I actually noticed more activity. Then I used some of the bait pellets. Useless. Like feeding candy to a shark. I then spoke to a neighbor who had a problem a few years ago. He recommended "Wire-Tek." I bought one off Amazon. It was about $36 dollars. I started to use it and got nothing the first week, but like you said, you have to be patient. The mole or moles have "runs" or patterns they follow. Once you determine how they travel, you can place the traps. I ended up buying another Wire-Tek trap. In the past week I have dispatched two moles. I now walk my property at least once a day to see if there is activity. This past Monday night I noticed a raised area. I placed a trap, stomped down the dirt around it and covered it with water. The next morning the trap was sprung, and the mole was dispatched. Thanks for the video and input. I'll continue to hunt these things and treat them like a serial killer.
Thank you for this real answer to getting rid of moles! My back yard has been nearly destroyed, while I have done an array of the other methods you show as useless. I am buying the kill method you recommend, and I am grateful for the knowledge from someone I trust!
In Washington State, I have the best mole catcher/eliminator- my cat. He brings me at least one mole each day at the patio door, meows to let me know he’s done his job, and proceeds to eat them. My neighbors love my cat - no one has needed any traps for the past 10 years bc my cat captures them in the spring and we have a summer of mole-free lawns!!
I used scissor type in the past with success. Now having sandy soil they don't work so good, frequently popping out. I used the water hose method to take care of. I have a new more elusive one on the prowl now.
Dude thanks for showing the traps in action. Me and the neighbor have been using the peanuts for 2 summers now in a shared side yard and I swear all the peanuts do is run the mole off from my yard to his and vice versa. I've twisted my ankle twice walking the trash to the curb because of the tunnels. It's killin time
You've covered so many topic with all your videos but I think you need to do a video on patience. So many things we do take time to show results that there is a desire to do more and more without waiting to see the results of what we've already done. This is especially true for those inexperienced with lawn work.
I have 2 traps with a slight design difference like your the one you don’t like. They seem better then the one you have. I like them, I’m going to have to try and get one you that have, the one you like…
Apply milky spore to your lawn. It's safe, but it kills the grubs the moles are after. Needs to be applied every 10 years, and will begin to work one year after applied. Awesome stuff!
Your video quality and delivery has vastly increased. Great job. Keep it coming. Any plans to do a cytogro review? It would be nice to see content on products from your store.
Moles are common pest in my area (western Washington State) and I catch between 1 to 3 of them each year. The traps shown in the video are good if the mole destroying your lawn digs shallow tunnels but the main issue is that some moles dig very deep tunnels and those won't work. My go to mole traps are those sold my trapline products. They also have traps for gophers so be sure to get the correct one, their website also teaches you how to spot the difference between moles and gophers. The trapline traps are inserted into the tunnels, so you'll want to get them in pairs, each trap faces the opposite direction of the tunnel. What I do is to locate as many tunnels as possible, including the main run/transport tunnel, and turn my lawn into a mine field by deploying traps inside all the tunnels. I leave the traps deployed for a few weeks before digging them up as you can sometimes get a secondary kill when another mole moves into your lawn because the original mole has died (moles are highly territorial and do not share their "turf").
I use the spike trap and flatten down the main run with my foot and then set the trap. Then I position the trap, work the spikes up and down, then set the trap. I have a wooded field next to my property and in one year I trapped 24 moles. Seeing how I flatten down the run I can tell which direction mole was traveling when it tripped the trap.
I have had a mole problem for years and found a long time ago that you needed to find the main run. I have several of the victor mole traps and used them for years with pretty success. I like them because I don't have to dig up a spot in my lawn to set them. They will sometimes miss the mole I always use a small hand trowel or something to make sure it caught the mole. I will say the trap you used to catch your mole is a good trap. I have tried all sorts of products to keep them out of my yard with not much success. My yard boarders some woods so its an ongoing problem.
I just run the tunnels over with my tractor, then leave the area for an hour or so. I then slowly and quietly walk up to the area, looking closely at the flattened tunnels. When I see the ground moving from the mole excavating, I watch for a few minutes for him to make a small "run." Then step on the tunnel, closing it off just behind his path. A weed fork or dandelion picker is my tool of choice, I just stab at the tunnel. Usually, they squeak when you get them. I sometimes dig the mole out and then chuck it into the woods. But mostly, I just leave them in the ground. Good fertilizer and also a warning to other moles. Lol. I've also had good success along the driveway catching moles in action, then drive my truck up the tunnel and flatten the mole.
I'm dealing with a mole issue right now! So far I've learned that it never only one no matter what the books say about there range. I've killed three so far and still have an issue.
This is very helpful. Next question: Once I've dispatched the mofos, what's the best way to repair the damage they've done to my lawn. I tried to co-exist as long as I could, but now they've done a lot of damage - the mounds in my lawn are much more extensive than what you're showing here. Any suggestions?
I live in the Panhandle and tried several different traps. In the end the opossums were digging the moles out of their runs and eating them. The moles were active early in the morning when my sprinkler system was running.
I used to go out and stomp the holes in the morning wait a few minutes and see if any popped back up. If they did I knew the mall was close. I will continue to watch and when I saw movement I would take my trusty estwing hammer and eliminate the mole. It was real life wackamole and rewarding
I did same thing watched the mole and when I seen some new tracks I used my ground stomper to smash the moles path. then sit and watched till the mole started moving again pushing the ground up, waited until mole got close to me. Used my shovel to push in ground and chopped him. they have tore my yard up quite a few times
I usually just go after their food source, grubex and then they disappear, probably to my neighbors yard. Haven't had much luck trying to get rid of them directly except that one time when one came up for air and met my mower deck.
I have always had good luck with the first trap takes a while to get use to setting up after awhile it's easy also I step on the trail to see if it's active and step on trail and set the trap there so he has to dig to set off the trap
I prefer the traditional victor. Had horrible luck for the first month but finally figured out a system and killed four in a few weeks. Amazing trap but it has a bigger learning curve.
Traps have never once worked for me. Not even on the main runs. Only thing that has worked to kill mine is to wake up early and watch the soil. When you see a mound pop up, shove a hose down the hole. The mole will dig up to the surface and you kill him. For ones that don't leave a trail and just mounds, I dig down and find the holes going in different directions, and fill them with dog poop. Moles never return to that area again. I killed 6 moles just last year, and only have one to catch this year. I also like to put the dead carcass in the hole after killing the mole, as a clear message to any other moles who decide to visit.
Trapline products sells a tiny little spring-loaded trap that will catch moles at a much higher frequency than any of the large traps. You simply find a hole on the surface of your grass and slide it right in there. I tie string to the trap then stick it in the ground nearby so I can find it easily afterwards. The key, is that the trap fills the entire tunnel and the mole has no choice but to run right into it. Works nearly every time
Definitely recommend getting at least 2 traps. The more traps in the ground, the better your odds. I’ve had moles go right past one trap and it not go off and then the next one in the tunnel goes off and gets them.
Take a garden hose open up one of those tracks stick the hose in a flood the tunnels. I don’t get moles in my yard because I use Talstar every year around April pretty heavy.
It’s just before day break, neighbor looks out of their window. Allyn is just leaving the garage for the lawn, cigar in his mouth, beer in hand, trap in the other. Happy mole hunting. 😂 I was getting “the burbs” vibe. Think we need a new tshirt
Up north I would find their main tunnel, dig it up, throw two mouse traps in, in the opposite direction cover the path with some patio bricks and they would walk right in them. Thinking these were Voles or Shrews though.
Never got one with the spike trap. I do keep it though because sometimes it is the only option when you are up against the house. I got about 8 of them with the other traps though. I always poke a hole in the ground on either side of the trap the mole will plug the hole with dirt. You can poke holes and flag them so you can determine where the moles are active before you set the trap.
The scissor trap is the best ! I have caught 6 moles so far! The other victor trap didn't work! I tried Gopher Hawk Didn't work for me! Good Video! Varmint Cong!!
Victor Sonic Spike is the best of the best. I had a mole infestation. I mean to the point i had to replace the yard every season. Dogs going crazy digging. Now i havent seen a mole in my yard in 2 full seasons. I have 3 set at the property lines of my home. Now the moles are tearing neighboring yards up. Not mine.
I've tried one of them type of trap's, and, darn near got my own fingers. They are hard to use, hard to set. What I've found that works is, in the early morning, at first light, take a straight edge spade, something sharp that you can drive in the ground. walk around, very easily, like your sneaking up on somebody, watch the tunnels very closely. You will see movement, slightly, the ground moving. Drive the spade into the ground. Done.
Spikey pluggers of death all the way. You can polish on the sear for the trip mechanism, dont have to. Ive had great luck over the years. I get 3 to 6 every year. I also use grubX but still they wonder in on the property lines
I've used grub control to remove their food, sonic spikes, castor oil and Victor plunger type and nothing works better than the Victor. I have not tried the scissor type but see it working well. I'll be persistent and always set it in a fresh tunnel and I'd say 7/10 times, I'll meet with success. Pocket gophers are another beast that I'm just lost on how to kill. But moles don't live long on my property.
I got the trap with the spikes that u don’t like but I must of been putting it in the wrong place your video was very helpful gonna try and catch this sucker tonight 😂
Last year I had 3 cats, 2 new neighbors,😡 & ultimately 0 moles. This year I still have the newbies but cats "mysteriously" gone. I trained them to (smell) kill moles. The newbies super highway of moles is NOW IN MY YARD & I'm p'd off. Their grandparents❤ used to live there (until covid) and LOVED not having to hunt moles & mice. We had a beautiful relationship, evidently not anymore!!
Maybe I have just been lucky, but usually don't have to wait long. I just squash down one day, go back later and if they are raised again, put a trap. I also prefer the scissor type rather than the spike type. Spikes is just too futzy and you usually have to dig up to get the mole out. The Scissor one is easy to set, literally put in ground and step on it. Pull it out, mole comes with it.
The chrome plated trap is hard to set…. Victor makes another trap that’s black in color, just like the chrome plunger style. I’ve had so much success with that one! I’ve caught several moles with that one! I usually set two in my yard and they always work! Moles will destroy your lawn if you don’t get rid of them. Unfortunately, my neighbors don’t see the importance of getting rid of moles and so, they migrate to my yard. But each year, I see fewer and fewer holes and tunnels. I killed about 5 or 6 during winter.
To add, if I may, the most active months for moles are the MAM months. March April May. Their breeding season. People have also said to me "if you have moles then you have grubs or mole crickets." Not, necessarily, true. Moles will eat anything underground. Including ants and worms. All insects and underground life are coming back towards the surface in spring after having been buried deep underground for the winter months.
