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Tunnel Mole Trap Problems #6536765
05/13/19 12:57 PM
05/13/19 12:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Kenton,TN
B
Buck77 Offline OP
trapper
Buck77  Offline OP
trapper
B

Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 40
Kenton,TN
I bought a dozen of the these tunnel mole traps. I am having problems with them. I either have them tripped or filled with dirt because the mole dug under the trap. Anyone else had this problem? [Linked Image]

Re: Tunnel Mole Trap Problems [Re: Buck77] #6536849
05/13/19 04:19 PM
05/13/19 04:19 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 776
MN, USA
star flakes Offline
trapper
star flakes  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 776
MN, USA
I would modify them by placing a shelf under them, shingle, tin can with some dirt on them to camo. It should remedy the problem if you are not dealing with pocket gophers.

Re: Tunnel Mole Trap Problems [Re: Buck77] #6536905
05/13/19 07:12 PM
05/13/19 07:12 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 734
Schenectady, NY
E
EatenByLimestone Offline
trapper
EatenByLimestone  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 734
Schenectady, NY
I've had that problem, but not with those traps. Since they are being set off, you're in the right place, which is the most important step in catching them.

Keep trying.

If you can't figure out how to get those to work, they may be a bad design. There are 3 styles of traps that are well regarded on this site. Try one of those.

Re: Tunnel Mole Trap Problems [Re: star flakes] #6537038
05/13/19 10:26 PM
05/13/19 10:26 PM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 177
Canada
U
Urbancoon Offline
trapper
Urbancoon  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 177
Canada
Originally Posted by star flakes
I would modify them by placing a shelf under them, shingle, tin can with some dirt on them to camo. It should remedy the problem if you are not dealing with pocket gophers.


I've read that if the tunnel dips where the trap is, the mole will 'swim'/dip/dig under the first trigger and pop up and set off the one right after it, but because it isn't in the loop yet, the mole isn't caught. The above strategy was suggested as well as making sure that the tunnel is level before you place the trap.

Re: Tunnel Mole Trap Problems [Re: Buck77] #6537319
05/14/19 02:05 PM
05/14/19 02:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 849
Washington
wildflights Offline
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wildflights  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 849
Washington
Leave a little loose dirt in the bottom of the tunnel and push the wires down into it.

When you set that trap put your thumb on the dog/trigger connection and work the trigger a little to make it fire with less force.


Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire. -Gustav Mahler
Re: Tunnel Mole Trap Problems [Re: Buck77] #6537405
05/14/19 04:59 PM
05/14/19 04:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6
UK
T
Talpa Offline
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Talpa  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 6
UK
You always need to ‘tune’ these traps before they go into the ground.
Set them and test them by pressing the trigger as the mole would, it should fire with only a little pressure. Sometimes this can be achieved by bending the spur on the trigger up a little sometimes shortening the spur, sometimes both. Occasionally the ‘dog’ is twisted-it should sit horizontal when set. Only tweak a little at a time otherwise you will get the situation where both fire when one side is triggered.

Once you are happy go and set them. As you start using these traps use the trap as a template to gig the hole just big enough to get the trap in. Get down to the level of the pipe, then use a spoon or ice of wire to clear any debris from the pipes and then press the floor of the opened pipe so that it is as you would expect the base in a tunnel to be, not packed solid but flat.
Place the trap in pressing so base of the trap loops are just below the soil in the floor of the pipe, not too far or you will bed the triggers in and cause the mole push against it without it firing and causing it to bung it up or dug under, the trap loops need to allow the mole to enter without detecting the sides or the base that should be sitting just below the soil. The trap needs to be covered over and firmed in so that it is stable with no movement and so that no light or drought is able to get in.
Hope this helps.

Re: Tunnel Mole Trap Problems [Re: Buck77] #6593581
08/12/19 11:56 PM
08/12/19 11:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,007
WI - Wisconsin
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AJE Offline
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AJE  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,007
WI - Wisconsin
I've never seen anyone around here use that style of trap, Buck. Interesting.

Re: Tunnel Mole Trap Problems [Re: AJE] #6593598
08/13/19 12:50 AM
08/13/19 12:50 AM
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10
Iowa
R
ridgeview72 Offline
trapper
ridgeview72  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 10
Iowa
I’ve got 4 tunnel traps I use (second year using traps)...ordered from molecatching.com from over sea’s...ordered a couple first from here in USA but found they were very cheaply made imitation.

Caught first double this fall (two caught in same trap during check). Ended up catching 3 in that trap in two days....was a surface run.

Use a sheet rock saw & cut slits across tunnel about 1/2” narrower than trap...open up turf to clean out run. Use a bent wire to clean out run on each side leading to where tunnel trap is going to be set. I use handle of sheet rock saw to “Firmly” compact bottom of run leading to & under where tunnel trap is to be set. Compacting bottom of run will help keep mole centered with trap, as well as be a deterrent from tunneling under. Put soil on top of trap in center & pack to stabilize...then cover entire trap with layer of loose soil to keep out light & air from entering tunnel.

Traps can also be used in deeper tunnels found by using a probe also. Use a narrow shovel to make vertical cuts across mole tunnel & then make angled cut from both sides to remove plug to exposed mole tunnel.

Since “”Firmly” compacting bottom of mole run & taking extra time to ensure tunnel trap is seated deap enough in mole run so top of mole tunnel is just below trap top success has increase tremendously. Have caught 6 moles & 1 stripped 13 line gopher with tunnel trap this year with only one plugged....caught the mole that plugged the trap next time thru.




Last edited by ridgeview72; 08/13/19 01:02 AM.
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