Lawn Moles

[RSstuff]

Caught 3 of the furry buggers in traps last year, this year it seems they've wised up to traps. Tried Garlic, Coffee grounds and Pepper in their runs with no effect. So far Tangerines and Onions seem to deter them, but I'm not confident they've moved on. So what do Greenkeepers use I wonder?

[5 In a Row]

A professional mole catcher maybe?

I had a mole problem last year, got the details of one and paid the guy £65 to eradicate the problem.
I think he just used traps but presumably has more insight into how they operate.

[RSstuff]

I tried to find a Pro Mole catcher last year, but they were all too busy. The fact I caught 3 in traps last year made me think I was setting them right. I've even tried 2 traps in one hole this year, but the buggers just pile up earth around the traps.

[5 In a Row]

RSstuff said:

I tried to find a Pro Mole catcher last year, but they were all too busy.

They're probably on contract to the councils - a lot of the verges round my way are covered in molehills.

The guy I used doesn't advertise. Do you know any local farmers as they may have a contact?

[netherfield]

I've a chap £65 to come out, then he'll come back every day until he gets something, £10 for every one. didn't need him last year, as one of the dogs managed to catch one, probably fortunate it was making a mole hill at the time the dog was there, was still very warm when she brought it to show me how clever she is.

Having said that when I've had one in the lawn previous years the dogs can make more mess then than the mole does, catch a sniff and try to dig them out.

One of the penalties of having fields behind the property.

[LooneyTunes]

What type of traps?

If the runs are deep enough, genuine Talpex ones are apparently the ones to have. Nearer the surface, the tunnel traps. (as advised by a friend who is a mole catcher)

Both seem to work best if you can make it look like part of the run has collapsed so that the mole positively engages with the trap.

Don't forget to wear gloves when handling the traps (to keep scent off).

[archie456]

Rather than kill them, you can just deter them by using solar mole repellers which emit sound.

Place these along your boundaries and you'll be free from the little furry things.

I'm always disappointed when people kill creatures that are an inconvenience to them.

[AlexC1981]

archie456 said:

Rather than kill them, you can just deter them by using solar mole repellers which emit sound.

Place these along your boundaries and you'll be free from the little furry things.

I'm always disappointed when people kill creatures that are an inconvenience to them.

I don't get it either. Having a garden filled with moles, hedgehogs, frogs, newts, birds, bats, dragonflies etc. would be an absolute joy and a privilege. A lawn is so common.

[RSstuff]

AlexC1981 said:

I don't get it either. Having a garden filled with moles, hedgehogs, frogs, newts, birds, bats, dragonflies etc. would be an absolute joy and a privilege. A lawn is so common.

You forgot rats in your fantasy garden?