Difficult Moles

[Le Braconnier 49]

There was a mole that has been giving me a hard time lately. When I first started trapping here in France using cheap French scissor traps bought by the farmer, I regularly got done over. On one occasion a female mole filled the trap 6 times before I got her. But since changing to Talpex and Flatpack tunnel traps I've only rarely had any problems and those have usually been down to me not doing it right.

 

The other day I spotted a new tunnel system in one of the pastures. The main tumps were right where the tractor drives over twice a day with sheep feed so my only alternative was to set traps in the tree line at the side of the stone track. Problem was the roots. I could only really get one decent sized run to fit a tunnel trap in. The mole tripped the same side of the trap three times running without being caught or filling the trap.

 

After a lot of probing and hacking out some roots I managed to fit a Talpex in on the busy side of the tunnel trap. Worked a treat. This morning one dead male in the Talpex. Interestingly it had a large pale orange patch on its underside. The colour was much lighter than the rusty orange patches on other moles I've had.

 

What are your 'difficult mole' stories?

[moxy 617]

I occasionally get the odd trap shy mole whilst using tunnel traps and the usual back fillers but a talpex always sorts them out.

 

I have had vanishing moles which completely disappear or just Sod off for a week and return. That can leave you scratching your head at times.

 

What intrigues me more though is the strangest places they pop up. I had one push up in a raised bed in the centre of a huge tarmaced car park.

I also find them in the strangest places on a golf course I do. No hills or evident runs and the sandiest infertile, worm free tees. Beggars belief sometimes.

[Le Braconnier 49]

I think those might be traveling moles Moxy. I get them here on the farm; sometimes just one or two tumps then nothing more. Gone! I reckon they are caused by moles digging in for a feed and kip after traveling overland looking for new territories or a bit on the side. A bit like a Moletell

[moxy 617]

Oh dear!! Don't give up your day job. Lol