Setting a mole job yesterday, and things are getting pretty dry. Of course the moles are deeper right now. I probed between two mounds and found the tunnel about 6 inches down. I popped the plug out of the ground, and dirt filtered back in, I went to scoop it out with my hand a felt a "root". Took my pruners, clipped both ends, and you know the rest of story. It was the internet line in the back yard. I do carry liability insurance.

A couple questions:

Is there a code for how deep they need to be buried?

Is it repairable, as far a splicing in a new piece?

Who's responsible? Owner for not telling me about any possible lines, or is it on me?

And do any mole trappers on here require the owner to call for locates before setting traps?

Let me know your thoughts, thanks.

Well, clipping before you verify what it is is you.

Call the local cable/internet company to have them repair it. It comes in my house as a coaxial cable. An easy splice. If it’s fiber optic I have no idea, but there has to be some way to connect cable ends.

Totally on you. You have to call before you dig anywhere. Most underground is speced to be 24" but most is not to code and have found some lines to be 2" deep.
Call to have the utility repair the line. DON'T call your insurance company, they might drop your coverage because you did not call Dig Safe.

Never cut anything discovered under ground, even just a few inches. If you do, you become liable for repair and damages. It could be a few things now a days. Network cable, security cable lines, invisible fence barriers, watering system network or private outdoor lighting systems.

I gotta put this out there to make others aware and look out where they set their traps.

Did a raccoon job with a cage trap. Raccoon , like most started digging next to the trap. It found a small wire just below the surface and clawed it apart.

Luckily for me it was just a single wire for an 'invisible fence' for a dog. Easily fixed , but I had no idea it was there.


FYI - check with your customers if they have an invisible fence even when using a cage trap with no digging to set up the trap.

Thanks guys, appreciate the input.

believe it's on the person who did the work if 811 was not notified. always call 811, they have 3 days to mark utilities and its FREE. no reason not to do it

I always scrape the “root” with my hori knife to verified it’s indeed a root before snipping. Always.

Each state/county will have it's own BOCA Code for such things as depth, usually tied to the frost line, in my county it's 30" Min. I would guess it's about 36" min where you are.

In Mi. you need to call Miss Dig, they will come within three day and make a line, No dog fences, sprinkler lines. You have to dig three feet on both sides of the of the mark. That is Six Feet. BS. If I feel something when digging I run my fingernail over the object, if it is a root the bark, coating will come off and show it is a root. Works for me.
Good luck.