FAQ

What are your order delivery times?

All orders are processed within 1 - 2 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). You will receive an email notification when your order has shipped. You should expect delivery within 2 - 4 business days of shipment. 

How do I distinguish between moles and gophers?

Moles and pocket gophers are found in different areas of the United States and they do sometimes coexist. A great way to distinguish between moles and gophers is as follows; Moles create surface tunnels that look like the veins on the back of a hand. These are usually soft spots in a yard. Moles sometimes create mounds which have a volcano-like appearance. This volcano shape is due to the mole pushing the soil from below the ground, upward through the center of the mound. The soil of a mole mound usually appears lumpy. Mole mounds are usually six to 18 inches in diameter, and may even be significantly larger. Gophers never create surface tunnels. Gopher mounds have a crescent-shaped or “C” appearance. This “C” shape is due to the gopher pushing the soil from below ground, outward through the side of the mound. The soil of a gopher mound often appears fine and granular. Gopher Mounds are 12 inches and up in diameter; with “up” meaning they can become quite large!

Our go to trap for moles is The MoleSlayer with or without integrated setting handles. These traps are placed within surface tunnels. Mole mounds often indicate deeper activity which is better addressed using traplines. While this website is primarily dedicated to moles we do offer larger traplines that will address pocket gophers. There is a training video specific to placing traplines for gophers located here. Everyone should be aware of the dangers of compromising underground utilities. Most mole work is shallow and rarely interferes with underground utilities. Gopher work is much deeper and can involve conflicts with underground utilities. When in doubt always have your utilities marked by a professional locating company.

When is the best time of year to trap moles?

In warm climates moles can be trapped year-round. During extreme heat or drought, moles may seem to have vanished. Usually they have not abandoned the area; rather, they have just moved deeper into the ground. This makes it more difficult to detect their presence. In urban environments, look for them hiding in ornamental areas or around home foundations. These areas typically retain moisture. Spring and Fall tend to be better times to trap than Summer. Spring and Fall have cooler temperatures and more moisture, making mole activity more visible. Females trapped in late Fall or early Spring, before the litters are born, will be removed from the reproduction cycle. In cold weather climates a hard frost usually marks the end of the mole trapping season.

How many traps should be set?

Success rate or catch rate is often determined by proper location selection and trap placement. Most residential homeowners with relatively small lots can set 2 - 4 traps. If you have a larger property, an acreage or agricultural setting with a moderate to high level of infestation, you might need many more traps. Professionals often carry hundreds of traps.

Is it advised to weather a trap before using it?

Moles have a keen sense of smell so using traps covered in oil or other contaminants is not a very wise idea. The MoleSlayer's purchased in new condition are relatively free of such contaminants and will catch moles right out of the box. We always suggest wearing nitrile coated gloves which will help with scent control but more importantly keep your hands clean!   

How often should I check the traps?

In the United States there are often no legal mole trap-checking requirements but before trapping ALWAYS know your local trapping regulations! Does your state allow mole trapping? Most do but there are a few exceptions. A properly located, placed, and set trap usually results in a successful trapping within four to 24 hours; suggesting it is best practice to check the traps at least once a day. Our Talpex traps are designed to quickly, and humanely, kill moles by causing extreme trauma and suffocation; however, there occasionally can be live catches. A sprung trap, that is not reset, is a trap that cannot make a catch. It only makes sense to conduct frequent trap checks.

How often should I relocate traps?

A mole will almost always traverse an active tunnel within four to 24 hours of trap placement. If a trap catches within that 24-hour period, reset the trap, as it is not uncommon to catch multiple moles at the same location. If a trap is inactive for more than a few days, it is unlikely to produce, and recommended that it be pulled or moved. It is always best to relocate traps where you see fresh activity. With that said, if a trap is left in the ground long enough it is always possible to catch a roamer, especially in deeper sets.

What is a backfill?

A backfill or backfilled trap occurs when a mole pushes soil through a tunnel and into the trap trench and trigger area. The trap will typically trigger prematurely. The mole is usually not caught, and the location may be compromised. The cause of backfills might be as simple as too much soil left in a mole tunnel at placement. Sometimes it helps to clean the tunnel with a small spoon before placing a trap. Wet conditions may cause a tunnel to collapse, and the mole, in an attempt to clean out the tunnel, pushes the collapsed soil forward, which causes a backfill. A backfill can also occur when a mole senses something is off, and he purposely pushes soil forward into the trap area. He might smell something he doesn’t like, or he might sense light or surface air protruding into the tunnel. When you experience a backfill, move your trap location a few feet forward or backward.

How do I prevent moles from going underneath a trap trigger?

This situation may be difficult to notice. Sometimes the first sign of this will be fresh bubbling soil percolating up into the trap excavation area. You might even walk by such a trap several times, and only upon pulling the trap will it become apparent that the trap has been compromised. In these instances, it makes sense to relocate the trap a few feet forward or backward. When relocating, compact the soil within the bed area of the new trap location. 

What about wet trapping conditions?

Wet conditions make the toughest environment for a mole trapper to work in. If possible, it is simply better to wait until drier conditions prevail. Working in the rain causes slippery surfaces, and tends to be much colder and miserable on the body. It is very difficult to properly place traps under wet conditions. Wet soil makes the mole trap mechanisms operate in a very sluggish fashion. Soils are made up of different materials, such as clay, sand, or silt, and each material drains differently. Clay being very dense, has a difficult time draining and drying, while sand being very porous, dries relatively quickly. Extreme care and caution during trap placement will minimize mis-triggers and inhumane catches.  

What are the potential hazards of mole and gopher trapping?

Everyone should be aware of the dangers of compromising underground utilities. Most mole work is shallow and rarely interferes with underground utilities. Gopher work is much deeper and can involve conflicts with underground utilities. When in doubt have your utilities marked by a professional locating company. Bees often use abandoned mole tunnels for nesting, and when provoked may become very aggressive. Professional mole trappers typically encounter many more hazards than residential homeowners. Professionals encounter mean dogs, cuts that may lead to tetanus if unvaccinated, heat exhaustion, sunburn, pesticide and insecticide exposure, mosquito bites, and overuse and repetitive motion injuries like tennis elbow and knee pain.

How do I clean-up my property after a mole infestation?

In small-scale residential settings mole mounds may be raked-out and the soil disbursed into the surrounding area. If grass becomes covered with a thin layer of soil it will survive and continue to grow. If the mounds are excessive in size, soil may be shoveled-up and removed with a bucket or wheelbarrow. After a light rain or watering, surface tunnels can usually be walked-over until they are ground-level. This helps to re-root the grass, preventing it from drying-out and browning. Low spots can be filled-in with topsoil and reseeded. A high-quality leveling rake is very useful for leveling low spots and spreading new top-soil dressing. Consider using a roller to compact the soil. This may deter future mole activity, as a mole prefers a path of least resistance. The negative side of compacting is that it drives air pockets out of the soil, depriving the lawn of the oxygen needed to flourish. 

What if I have other questions or suggestions?

We are always happy to try to address questions and love feedback both positive and negative. If you have a relatively simple question please feel free to email us at info@modernmoletrapping.com. If your question relates to an order please include your order number. If you feel you need assistance that requires substantial dialog you might wish to consider our "Visit With A Pro" option.