What are the best mole traps?

The most frustrating problem most gardeners face is the damage caused by moles. When you spot a line of raised ridges breaking the surface of your front yard that is accompanied by small dirt volcanoes you can be sure that there are moles tunneling underneath the ground.

However, Moles can be a benefit too…
Unlike rats, Moles do not cause any substantial damage to the environment. They even aerate soils and get rid of the larvae of destructive insects. They only become a major problem once they invade gardens and lawns, uprooting plants and tearing up large stretches of green grass. The ridges brown quickly because mole tunneling destroys grass roots.

What are moles?

Burrow of molesMoles are mammals that belong to the Talpidae family. They are found in most parts of the world however they spend most of their life underground and are rarely seen. Male moles are called ‘boars,’ females are called ‘sows,’ while a group is called ‘labour.’ Male moles are comparatively larger than female moles.

Moles are loners that spend most of their time underground. Usually, there are three to five moles per square. A mole tunnel is about 2 inches in diameter and 8 to 12 inches under the surface of the ground. Although they live underground the whole year, they are most active during wet, warm months.

Best Mole Traps – Top Picks Comparison

If you are looking for a mole trap that will help you get rid of your mole problem effectively, then you have come to the right place. We have tested and researched extensively to put together a comprehensive list of the top mole traps available.

#1. Top pick – Tomcat Mole Trap

Tomcat Mole TrapThe Tomcat Mole Trap makes it to our list as a top pick. It is made with professional grade materials and quality. The outstanding feature of this mole trap is that it is safer and easier than traditional mole traps. The Tomcat Mole Trap is easy to place and set. Its hands-free design makes it innovative and fast.

Pros
● Strong and well built
● Bolts and springs are meant to last
● The bright yellow color is visible from a distance
● Helps to catch moles within hours of setting
Cons
● Works best on short mowed grass
● Setting the trap can be tricky sometimes
Product
Rating
Price
Tomcat mole trap
4.6
Wire Tek 1001 EasySet Mole Eliminator Trap
4.4
Around The Home EMT Metal Easy Mole Trap
3.8
Victor Out O'Sight Mole Trap 3.8
Apello Mole Repellant
4.0

Appearance

Mole in SoilMoles have strong, broad shoulders, cylindrical body, and spade-like front limbs with claws. Its pink snout is extremely sensitive and completely hairless. A mole’s body is covered in thick, soft, silver-black fur which covers up its eyes. Moles have very poor eyesight and no external ears; however, their sense of touch and smell is excellent.

Mole Size characteristics

Moles are around 14 centimeters in length and their tail measures around 2.8 centimeters. They typically weigh about 2.5 to 4.5 ounces. Their body shape is highly adapted for their way of life that involves a lot of underground digging. Amazingly, a mole can dig up to 14 meters of soil in just an hour.

Moles vs voles and gophers

Moles, gophers, and voles all are active underground and all create tunnels, but they vary in the food they eat and the damage that they cause. They enrich the soil by mixing nutrients and aerating it. Gophers prefer roots and bulbs, moles prefer non-plant food, while voles eat grass but are also partial to stems and shrubs.

Moles are typically black, grey, deep or gold brown while voles have a greyish-brown coat. Gophers have a short coat that is usually a dull brown. Moles generally grow to a length of 6 to 8 inches while voles are usually between 4 to 10 inches in length. Gophers are generally between 7 to 12 inches long.

Natural mole repellent

Image of treatmentOther ways to get rid of moles, although humane, may not be so effective. These include commercial and natural repellents. Commercial repellents are somewhat effective but most of them are toxic thus are not safe to use around other types of wildlife and children. You can instead use natural repellents which are effective as well as easy to get.

Castor oil and water

Another natural product that has proven effective against moles is a combination of castor oil and water. Mix one quarter castor oil and three-quarters water and pour it down all the mole holes that you can find. Repeat this for a few days, and the moles will move away.

Mint oil

Mint oil has a strong smell which is something that moles do not appreciate. Soak cotton balls with mint oil and put the soaked balls in freshly dug holes in your garden with the help of a stick. Cover all the holes in the same manner. Repeat this process every few days to ensure its effectiveness.

Buying guide

single mole hillBefore buying a mole trap, it is essential to keep the following features in mind:
User-friendly
It is vital that you buy a mole trap that is easy to set and can be monitored from a distance. It should be strong and can be used again and again.
Efficiency
A mole trap with a high rate of efficiency is the best choice. No matter what kind of tunnels are there in your garden a good mole trap should be effective in deep as well as shallow tunnels.
Price
A good mole trap should also be cost-effective so that homeowners who are on a budget can even afford them.
Safety
An important feature regarding mole traps is that it should be safe to use and not cause any harm to the people using them.
Accuracy
A mole trap that has a 100% success rate is the best mole trap. Moles should not be able to escape once you have set them in your garden.

How to install a mole trap – to catch a mole

mole hillMole traps are a fast and safe way to control moles but before setting one make sure to wear protective gear such as rubber gloves. The best place to set the mole trap is in the main mole motorway. This refers to a tunnel that has been in use for a long time.

To find out if a mole tunnel is active use your finger or a dowel to puncture the holes in the tunnel but be careful not to crush them. Mark them with sticks or lawn flags. If the hole has been repaired within a couple of days, it indicates that the tunnel is active. Once you find the active tunnel, prepare it and set the trap. Clean the trap regularly and use bait such as peanut butter to entice moles.

#2. Wire Tek 1001 EasySet Mole Eliminator Trap

wire tek mole trap The next amazing easy set mole trap on our list takes the guesswork out of eliminating and trapping moles from your yard, garden, and lawn. It’s highly effective on all species of moles.

It eliminates the use of chemicals and poisons. Most traps available take a lot of time to set due to locating and digging mole tunnels while some may injure the person setting them due to special settings required.

The Easy Set Mole Eliminator Trap is the only mole trap that can be set in a mole tunnel without setting dangerous cables, clamps, or spears. You do not even require any digging before setting this trap

Pros
● Safe to use
● Widely accepted for use in organic ranches, nurseries, and farms
● Highly effective
● Sturdy built
Cons
● Handling the trap with bare hands will drive the moles away
● Instructions could be more explicit
● May not work on sandy soil

#3. Around The Home EMT Metal Easy Mole Trap

Around the home mole trapThe next product on our list is effective Around the home mole trap helps to eliminate pesky moles from your gardens and lawns. This amazing product is designed for safe operation in gardens where tunneling moles cause havoc.

It is very easy to use and curbs the use of ineffective methods such as gassing the moles with fumes with the help of your automobile exhaust pipe or opening a water hose in the tunnel and flooding it with water like a rice paddy.

Pros
●Easy to use
● Constructed with stainless steel springs and electroplated with high strength steel
● Highly effective

Cons
● May shift to the side if not pressed firmly
● Some people find it hard to set

#4. Victor Out O’Sight Mole Trap 0631

Victor Mole TrapProtect your yard and get rid of destructive moles with this weather-resistant and durable mole trap. Years of proven field results back this professional’s trap of choice. This trap effectively kills moles without poisons and chemicals. This trap features malleable iron jaws for durability and superior strength. The trap comes fully assembled with a safety clip for secure operation. Each trap is accompanied with illustrated operation instructions on placement and setting.

Pros
● Perfect for use in any soil and is particularly ideal for sandy soil
● Constructed with sturdy materials which ensure durability and strength
● Safety clip and setting levers ensure secure operation
● Comes fully assembled and ready to use
Cons

● Not as effective

#5. Apello Mole Repellant

Adello Mole trapThe last product on our list is not a mole trap but a mole repellant. This ultrasonic mole repellant produces 400Hz low-frequency sound waves and vibrations after every 30 seconds that moles find highly irritating. It is the simplest way of getting rid of moles as these vibrations force the moles to flee from the coverage area.

This humane repellent does not use any poison or chemicals. You need to insert the mole repellent in the soil making sure that the top part is at least two inches above the ground to prevent the water flowing into the interior. It is best to install multiple devices to cover a larger area. This repellent is powered by a rechargeable solar cell that eliminates the need for extra benefits. The solar cell needs 8 hours to be fully charged and can last up to 5 days.

Pros
● Safe for soil environment as it is safe from poison
● Environment-friendly and energy-saving
● Corrosion-resistant and waterproof aluminum
● Non-toxic and maintenance free
Cons
● May not be highly effective
● May stop working after a few months


Best Mole Traps – Conclusion

Moles, although seemingly harmless and small, can create many problems for gardeners and property owners. Using conventional or natural techniques to kill moles is a time-consuming process that is why many people opt for ethical mole traps that are specifically designed to get rid of these troublemakers.