Man has it been cold in West Michigan so far this year. Have had mole trap set out and getting a lot of the trap dug under.
The mole are moving around some but not like when it is warm. Cold most nights 26 to 42 degrees at night. Lots of rain.
Just never have had this many traps dug under, I am using Steve's traps along with No-mole. Is this happening in your area?

I don't use any no mole traps so I can't speak from experience with those traps. I get the occasional dig under with the trapline traps but not many. When I get in a hurry is always when this happens to me. I then know to get back to basics and slow down.

I do know that most all problems that trappers have using the Trapline traps is selecting poor trap set up tunnels, poor bedding and poor tunnel alignment. Some tend to set the traps too quickly and fail to ensure good placement and compressing the trap bottom frame and jaws into the soil well enough.

If a mole encounters what is perceived as a slight obstruction in his tunnel his natural instinct is to dig under the trap.

Mole's tunnel and dig, and forage for a living. They don't want to fight with an obstruction anymore then you wanting to walk thru a thick blackberry patch. They avoid it by digging under it.

Frosting shallow soil can sometimes affect the dirt by pushing the trap slightly up which is what frost does. This action can move the trap up and out of its set position thru an act of nature. Not sure if this is the problem you are experiencing.

When my sets don’t work I usually have to stop and go over everything step at a time. I figure I got lazy somewhere, my set is off.

Getting There,
I have been crazy busy this last week with moles here in Osceola County and Wexford County (Michigan). I only use Steve's traps... I'd just check your setup, has to be something simple.
David
Wildlife Pro Services
Reed City, MI

Thanks guys, it was very cold the day I set the trap and my hands were ice cold. I stopped and warmed them up a couple of times.
Not getting a good feel of the trap could have been the problem.
Thanks again!

Get a long handled spoon and make sure you’ve cleared out of the dirt that has funneled back down each side of the tunnel when you initially open the tunnel. Also as stated above placement and bedding is key, as is being sure not to disrupt the traps as you backfill or lay the sod back over the tunnel.

Other option is to learn how to use a quality scissor trap. Dig unders are far less common with scissor traps. Old Victors or Talpex would be a good start.

I exclusively used Steves traps for years but then switched to the scissor. Setting and checking traps is much faster for me. YMMV. Good luck!