Mole trapping...

[skredmeister 0]

Hi,

 

Firstly I would like to say hello as this is my first post. I'm from the highlands, near Inverness, and a keen game hunter. However, mole trapping is a completely new area for me and am thereby a first rate rookie for now

 

I am trying to catch moles that are plaguing my farm at the moment but firstly I think I need some more information on them and their ways and how to catch them.

 

I am having limited success with them and I realise that this is partly because of the season (pretty mild it is though) but mostly because I don't have the knowledge.

 

So guys, here's a few of areas needing plugged if you know:

 

Do moles hibernate?

 

I hear they have upper tunnels and lower tunnels (presumably if there's frost)?

 

They have limited eyesight but can they detect metal traps in the ground?

 

Do they live separately in their own area and tunnels or is there a whole excavation squad working on my field?

 

I hear they are most active around 4pm. Is this true?

 

Pelts worth anything?

 

Any one have any specifically effective ways of working to trap them?

 

Appreciated

[Axholme Ferreter 0]

Hello mate,

welcome to the site.

 

Taking your mole questions in order but bear in mind these are wild creatures so they do not have a rule book.

 

Moles do not hibernate, they are active all year round. They need a lot of food (earth worms mostly) to keep them going as they do not store fat on their bodies.

 

Mole tunnels tend to follow the worms if the digging is not too hard so tunnels will generally be where the worms are. In frosty or dry conditions worms will tend to go deeper so the moles will follow.

 

If a trap is not well set moles can detect it and will fill or avoid it. They can not see very well but have a very well developed senses in other areas

 

Moles are solitary creatures apart from mating or when young. They do share some tunnels though. It is difficult to tell how many moles are in an area just by looking at mole hills. If there are a lot of worms available there may be a lot of moles. If the food is scarce it may just be one very busy mole!

 

Moles tend to work and rest in around 4 hourly cycles (give or take), the curious thing is that this seems to be a synchronised activity between all the moles in an area (UK). Generally speaking yes moles will be active at around 4pm.

 

Mole pelts are not worth much these days. I think the only value is to people who tie their own flies for fishing and then it is only pence.

 

The most effective way to get rid of moles is a good quality trap set in the right way in the right place. This usually takes skill and experience to get right.

 

Hope that answers some of your questions.

All the best

AF