Mole Trap

[red bandit]

Here are some pics of the mole trap I made. The barrel and hammer are 1 1/2" dia. The frame is 1/2" square. The horizontal part of the frame is bolted to the vertical part w/ 5/16 counter sunk bolt. The square the holds the barrel and hammer is 1" wide. I machined a slot so the hammer slides easily on the frame. The barrel is held in place w/ a 5/16 set screw so it can be raised or lowered. I didn't want to bolt it in place and it be in the wrong spot. The square pieces for the trigger are 1/4". 10-24 threaded rod. It works better if it's keep oiled and that atracts dirt so you have to blow it off w/ compressed air every now and then. The piece I'm touching w/ my finger slides up and down, and sort of pivots side to side you can see. The idea was so one paddle won't trip the hammer by itself. It sort of works that way. It depends on how deep you set the trap in the ground and how high the mole raises the dirt which trips the trigger. Sometimes a mole will trip the hammer w/ one paddle and get away. To over come this problem and make it fool proof you could use one paddle in the middle of a double barrel. Or maybe add some paddle stops so one paddle can't trip the hammer. Any questions ask away. I can take more pics if you need. I know some didn't come out to clear. Enjoy!


http://s175.photobucket.com/albums/w154/cathtr/stuff/

[Elevener]

Wow! Seems like alot of work for something you could have bought for not much more than 10 bucks. I work in wildlife control and have never failed to catch moles with simple scissor type traps.

[red bandit]

I've used those and the ones w/ the spikes. The only time they worked was when the tunnel was less than 2" under the ground surface. Since you work in wildlife control you know that as the ground gets drier the deeper the moles go which puts those types of traps useless. I've seen tunnels deeper than 8". Tunnels around here are uauslly 4-6" under the surface. As far as a lot of work. For some maybe. That kind of stuff is fun for me. And it's a lot more fun when my trap goes off!

[trbig]

Hmmm... I have tried the scissor type and never gotten them to work worth a crap. But... red bandit's seems to be a MUCH quicker kill (More humane) and a heck of a lot funner! lol.

My neighbor could get the scissor type to work occasionally.. but I guess I could never hold my mouth right.



Tod

[Elevener]

Some people who I work with dont have much luck either, its all in how you set it. red bandit, I dont doubt yours is much more fun! Of course Im down south, I havent ever seen a tunnel 8 inches deep, but have used the scissor one over 5 inches deep.

trbig, try holding your mouth like your about to kiss your wife.

[Ivan]

I have had to deal with moles ever since I moved to KS. I hate them. I wish there was a good way to just make them not like your place. Well, other than a septic system that has failed for the last couple years. (GRRRRRR)

I did have some luck with some product that was basically gummi earthworms loaded with poison. I guess they live on earthworms and grubs, and when they get something that smells and feels like an earthworm they gobble it up. Since moles only live in about 1-2 per acre, killing the two left my yard much better shape until the next year. Then I started going through the whole septic thing and haven't had much reason to nit pick about moles.

What's real funny is that they love my back yard but won't mess with my front yard. Strange.

[wa407mpp]

For the true hunter it's not the kill, It's the chase and for the true inventer it's not the invention it's the inventing.

[trbig]

For the true hunter it's not the kill,

Sure.. if I'm going to eat it. For a destructive little rodent tearing up my yard?? Nope.. the REAL thrill (With childlike giggles and all) is when one is killed! lol.



Tod

[CatatonicBug]

The trick to clearing out moles is to treat for grubs. Moles and voles eat grubs, and if there is no food, they will go elsewhere. If you use GrubEx at least once a year, the moles and voles will diminish quickly, and move next door.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

What's real funny is that they love my back yard but won't mess with my front yard. Strange.

Funny.........I've heard that from some of your friends too................No Homo

[mro]

originally post by Elevener
trbig, try holding your mouth like your about to kiss your wife.

The "mental image” that congers up is

mro

[red bandit]

First of all. The ONLY reason I posted this was because some people on here showed interest in making one for themselves and wanted some close up pics. Hence the explaination of how I made it on the first post.
I have trapped/killed 7 in an area of about 1/4 acre in one summer. No it didn't take me all summer to do it. Not saying they were all in that area at one time. I'm sure that came out of the woods too. And yes if you kill the grubs the moles will leave. In my case they will move into the woods next to my yard. I want them dead! That way they can't come back. I'm not nocking any of your ideas or methods. Whatever pleases you.

[CatatonicBug]

In my case they will move into the woods next to my yard. I want them dead! That way they can't come back.

I figure they're much like squirrels. No matter how many you kill, they multiply elsewhere, and they WILL be back. Of course, if you enjoy killing moles, I don't imagine anyone here is going to get upset about that. I just figure it's easier to remove their food source and make them choose to leave.

Now if only I could figure out how to do that with squirrels!

[trbig]

Now if only I could figure out how to do that with squirrels!

Same device.. just hang a peanut/pecan under it. lol.

"Hey, Ma... looks like we're eatin' squirrel again tonight."


Tod

[DELL82]

Gum it up

I understand from a friend that leaving chewing gum in their hole, which they eat, plugs up their digestive track and they die from not being able to sh#t.
Don't know from experience if that trick works or not.
Dell82