If moles appear on a personal plot, then over time this turns into a rather serious problem. And if a couple of individuals do not cause significant harm, then as their offspring grow up, both garden crops and the lawn will begin to suffer.
Specimens with a fragile root system such as cucumbers are primarily at risk. Animal settlements are especially common in dachas with fertile and loose soil. In such a substrate there are quite a lot of insects, snails, and worms, which are actively consumed by small animals.
Mole: photo of the pest
Mole: underground dweller.
Three shovels
A method of catching moles from a series of oddities and for those who have nothing else to do in the country. They can also be classified as traps, although it would be more correct to call them an ambush. This method requires 3 shovels. We stick the first one across the mole passage and trample the earth on both sides. Now we wait for the animal to appear. His appearance will be noticeable by the movement of the earth.
It is unknown when the animal will appear. If you are lucky and the mole is discovered, we stick a second shovel behind the mole. Now, with the third shovel, we quickly dig out the animal before it has time to dig another hole.
Source
Mole: features and infrastructure
Moles are sullen, solitary animals. They live underground and rarely come to the surface. They feed on various insects, larvae, worms and slugs. But they are notorious gluttons - they can easily covet a relative.
Moles build two different types of tunnels - deep and main. The first can be at a depth of about 2 meters, the second through passages, at a depth of up to 20 cm. It is the passages that are a problem for gardeners.
Traces of mole movement.
Moles damage roots with them, thereby disrupting plant nutrition. Rats and mice can settle in their passages, which cause even more harm.
It can be visually identified by the appearance of heaps of freshly dug earth on the site. You need to find the right passage, which is the main one. To do this, you need to select a passage that is always straight, trample it a little, and put a mark.
The mole will not build a new passage - he will definitely restore the old one, which is what he will get caught doing.
Alarm clock repeller
To be effective, you need to have several alarm clocks that have different alarm times. Alarm clocks are placed in jars, which are closed with lids and installed in different places on the site. The best option is to bury containers with alarm clocks in the ground. As a result, after a certain time, all alarm clocks underground will start to go off stably. Sounds regularly made in the area will force moles to look for more comfortable places.
The second option consists of a pipe buried in the ground into which an alarm clock is placed on a string. Thanks to the rope, such an alarm clock can always be taken out of the pipe.
On a note! Alarm clock repellers are the most effective. As a rule, battery-powered alarm clocks are better suited because they don’t have to be constantly adjusted like mechanical ones.
Types of mole traps
There are several types of traps and mole traps that have the general purpose of catching a mole. They differ in the way they are installed and operated. Let's take a closer look at popular models.
Ever seen a live mole?
Never happened
Wire
A wire trap is the simplest and most inexpensive device. It is made in the form of an elongated spring that has a loop, a guard, and a pressing foot.
The compressed spring is held by a guard, which prevents the animal from moving.
Wire mole trap.
When the pest tries to push it, the spring will open and the paw will be pressed against the loop. This is fraught with serious consequences for the mole, ranging from bleeding to complete and rapid death.
The price for these traps varies between 50 – 100 rubles. Efficiency increases when two traps are present at the same time. The death of the mole in this case is inevitable.
Trap installation:
- The stern passage is opened.
- Set the trap so that the walls of the passage close tightly with the loops.
- Cover the hole with thick cloth.
Spring mole trap: installation.
When installing two devices, the hinges should be directed in different directions to avoid contact. If there is a stopper, it should rest against the bottom. In its absence, it is appropriate to use a nail, which is inserted into a spring and rests against the walls.
You can make this device yourself. However, the store price is quite cheap. It will not be difficult for any consumer to purchase such a product.
The result usually exceeds all expectations. Often within two days you can catch the animal. If this does not happen, then move the trap to another hole. You will have to make a maximum of 3 rearrangements to catch the animal.
The advantages include low price and durability. Disadvantage: complicated installation. Although many gardeners note that this is the best option.
Masher
Mole crusher.
It is possible to use mousetraps or rat traps in the form of a crusher. They are inexpensive and sold in many stores. The crusher differs from the previous version:
- The trigger is triggered by tension (not push). They modify it themselves to take into account the specifics of the pest’s movement;
- The pressing bracket should not catch on the fabric or arch when repositioning.
When the first problem occurs, the loop securing the guard is filed down. The guard will work when the mole removes the noose. Earthworms are planted on it as bait.
To avoid getting caught in the arch, the placement area is covered with a pan or bucket. There is enough space above the trap to trigger it. It is also better to install 2 devices.
Tunnel trap
Tunnel trap for mole.
There are some disadvantages compared to the previous two. This is a high price. The cost reaches 400 rubles. But the trap can replace 2 wire models. It is also worth paying attention to the complex installation of the device.
The advantage is that it is not covered. By the raised spring, you can understand that the animal has fallen into a trap.
Harpoon trap
Harpoon trap.
Passing under the trap, the pest pushes the guard, which interferes with it. As a result, a powerful spring drives the spokes, which pierce the mole. Advantages: easy installation and visibility of the device operation.
The cost is quite high. On average - 1000 rubles. Making such a device yourself is difficult. This method is also completely inhumane. Many people won't want to use it for this reason.
Trap - scissors
When triggered, the device squeezes the sides of the animal. Death occurs very quickly from injuries and hemorrhage. The price is at the level of the harpoon variety. Among the domestic mole traps stands Fr.
Installation method:
- The scissors are pulled apart.
Trap scissors.
- Insert the spacer.
- Install the claws.
- Cover with a bucket.
- When it hits the strut, the animal climbs up. The spacer lowers and the claws kill the pest.
Such devices are sold in online stores and hardware departments.
Expensive models and scares
Solar powered repeller.
Original models with a complex design are called expensive and high-quality:
- SuperCatVoleTrap – price about 1500 rubles. The kit is equipped with a special device that gets into the hole very easily;
- Skat 63 – it is based on 2 pairs of scissors. Price – 1500 rubles;
- Talpirid Mole Trap is a complex trap, but easy to install. The mechanism resembles scissors.
Various ultrasonic repellers are installed around the perimeter of the site and launched. They must be tuned to the desired frequency and work throughout the entire garden or meadow. They have a negative effect on rats and mice. But you should be careful, because pets and livestock are sensitive to ultrasound.
Repellers have a good effect. However, traps are more reliable.
Calling the special services is the most expensive option. The price starts from 2000 rubles. The service workers handle the entire process themselves. Effective, fast, and most importantly, does not require any effort. But it's expensive.
Lures
Unfortunately, bait will not help in the fight against moles. They are indifferent to granules with poison. They are almost impossible to poison.
The only option is to cut the earthworm into pieces in order to fill it with poison. The movement of dying worms can attract pests. By eating them, the moles will die.
Moles are difficult to poison.
Complex traps
There are also more serious designs of mole traps, the manufacture of which should be approached with great diligence or purchased at a specialized store. Energy and financial costs will be fully compensated by efficiency.
Pinwheel
The use is more aimed at repelling underground pests. To create a pinwheel you will need a metal pin and one or more tin cans.
Choose reinforcement approximately two meters high. It must be firmly stuck into the ground and a makeshift weather vane placed on top. To create it, the tin is cut in three places and the plates are folded back like airplane blades.
Loop trap for mole
You can catch a mole in the garden using this homemade product. There are plenty of drawings and videos of creating a mole trap with your own hands using this principle. They reveal all the intricacies of making the device.
Plunger design
The mole will not be able to survive if such a system is used, and independent production requires certain skills.
The advantages of a purchased device include:
- high power;
- the trigger mechanism is triggered by the movement of the substrate during the restoration of the tunnel by the mole;
- does not require adjustment before installation.
The disadvantages include difficulties during installation and operation on rocky soil, because the mechanism can jam.
How to catch moles with a wire mole trap
It consists of several parts - a guard and a frame made from a single piece of wire with a diameter of 3.2-4 mm. The pressing part is a lever that operates on the principle of a spring. A trap is set in a fresh tunnel, passing through which the mole ends up in a deadly loop. As a result, the animal is nailed to the ground with a force equal to 2 kg.
Actions after eliminating the animal
Scare and destruction are not a guaranteed solution to the problem. After a while, other representatives may enter the garden. Then all the manipulations are repeated again.
To prevent intrusion:
- fence the perimeter of the site using a special mesh or slate. They are buried in a trench (depth 70 - 80 cm). The height above the surface is 20 cm. A solid strip foundation is also suitable (more expensive method);
- If the lawn is damaged, lay the mesh in a horizontal position, lowering it to a depth of 5–10 cm under the required area.
Such work and materials cost a lot. Not everyone will do this.
Common Mistakes
There is an opinion that a family of moles can be driven away from the site using products with a pungent odor placed in different places on the land. This is a mistake; small diggers sprinkle soil on the side where the bad smell comes from.
Another common mistake is using noise scares. Completely useless things. Moles happily settle near highways and railways.
DIY making
If it is impossible or unwilling to kill pests, alternative options are used, homemade traps, which allow you to catch a living mole. The basis is a plastic pipe with a diameter of 7.5 cm and a length of 20 cm. Algorithm:
- A door is installed at one end that opens only inward. Tin door (thickness 1 mm).
- Ears with holes are made in the upper part of the door. Cut the top of the workpiece, retreating 1 cm and bending the cut edge.
- A wire grill is attached to the other end.
- Several holes with a diameter of 10 mm are drilled in the upper part to observe the prey.
The principle of operation is simple - the animal gets inside, but cannot get out. All that remains is to take it out with the trap and shake it out.
Ready-made mole trap, made by yourself.
Choosing a location for the trap
During the hot season, it is best to catch moles along ditches and streams, as well as on trails used by people and livestock for travel. In such places the soil is not so hot, so moles will be found here most often. During the rainy season, it is best to place mole traps directly on the surface, where the prey will crawl out of the water-filled holes.
Permanent and feeding passages are quite often located in close proximity to each other, forming a complex interweaving between them. In order to determine the type of burrows, do not hesitate to dig up the ground and examine them from the inside. If you find a feeding ground, then be sure that there will be a permanent passage nearby. Remember that setting traps in feeding holes is a waste of time.
Sources
- https://podomu.info/vermin/kak-pojmat-krota.html
- https://krot911.ru/kroty/kak-izbavitsya-ot-krotov/krotolovka-iz-plastikovyx-butylok-svoimi-rukami.html
- https://texnotoys.ru/drugoe/krotolovka-svoimi-rukami.html
- https://stopklopu.com/lovuski-dla-krotov-svoimi-rukami/
- https://dr-dez.ru/myshi-i-krysy/krotolovka-iz-provoloki.html
- https://GdeKlop.ru/kroty/kak-pojmat/
