If you trap lawn moles, you will know that you got rid of the problem pest.  Knowing how to properly set your traps and knowing where to set them is absolutely crucial.  As we discussed in Moles Part 1 and Moles Part 2 of our study about moles, we recommend using a scissor trap to trap lawn moles.  The scissor trap is easy to set and is in our opinion the most effective way to trap lawn moles.

Mole Close Up

Learn how to trap lawn moles.

Once you have located your main tunnel or tunnels, installation of your traps is simple.  Start by identifying a section of the main tunnel that is over 10 feet in length.  You want to set your trap in the middle of this run.  To install your scissor trap, insert the scissor end of your trap into the tunnel.  Make sure that when your scissors are open, your tunnel moves in the same direction as the opening in your scissors.  The mole will ultimately pass through the tunnel into the center of your scissor trap.  To activate your trap, apply foot pressure to the top platform on the trap.  Gradually push the trap down to the ground with your foot.  Once the support bars of the trap reach ground level and the springs are fully extended, your trap should click into place.  If your trap is sprung up or your springs are not locked into place, your tap is not set.  Repeat the above step until your trap is correctly set.
Only set your traps in the main tunnel and not on a mound.  If you set your trap on a dirt mound, you will probably never catch a mole.  When you install your trap, try to avoid as much dirt disruption as possible.  You do not want to open up the tunnels to light if possible.  This will make it harder to trap lawn moles.  Moles activate your trap similar to that of the common mouse trap.  There is a trigger level, which is activated by the mole pushing dirt against it.  One the force is great enough to move the trigger, the springs will contract.  The trigger is located on the center of the trap, which means that the mole must have its body between the scissors in order to activate the trap.  Once the trap is sprung, the force generated by the contracting springs is so great that mole can’t move fast enough to escape.  Correctly implemented, the scissor will close down so that you can trap lawn moles.