I started setting mole traps sixty years ago and in that time I have developed simple techniques for setting a trap where a mole is now expected to be caught every time the trap is triggered.

The MolePro mole trap has the ideal shape for mole catching. The setting ring could be better designed like the English trap.

I do not add any soil in the run when setting a trap and therefore I do not have to find dry soil from elsewhere or use sieves to remove stones but I keep the mole run smooth by compacting the run with a T-handle. By compacting the run, also stops stones from interfering with the trap. If you can compact the run firmly then you should catch a mole every time the trap is triggered.

By not adding loose soil in the run, you can easily check the traps that have not been triggered, without removing the trap from the hole, to see if the mole has filled the trap with soil. Hold one of the trap handles and pull it up ½ an inch and then push it back. If the trap feels free then the trap can be left. If the trap feels tight then you will find the mole has filled the trap with soil.

From experience I find that it is not necessary to set the trap lightly and therefore it will be safer to set as it should not trigger accidently.

I cannot believe that you need two types of settings. One for young moles and one for older moles. I would only use the wider setting and I would grind off the lugs on the smaller setting and round off the corners.

Also from experience, I would not add soil into hole where the trap is to be set. If I had made the hole too wide then I would find another place. If the soil is so loose then I would make a slit over the run and push the soil to the sides and then remove any soil needed to set the trap. If the soil is loose in the bottom of the mole run then I always remove that soil and make the run deeper. Do not add soil to make the run level.

When tying the setting ring to the trap then you only need the string to be long enough to drop a very short distance. I suggest that when you tie the string on to the setting ring, then allow movement of the setting ring within the string. A shaped piece of wire which goes through the head of the cotter pin would be far better than string. Examples of this can be found on this website.

It is much better to use foliage from the area, like grass or green plant leaves to cover up a trap than to introduce tinfoil for mole trapping. The plant leaves etc. can be left down the mole hole after the trap has been removed.

Guess what? I have never ever used a vacuum cleaner to set a mole trap!

If you want a better way to set your MolePro mole trap then I suggest you follow my mole catching instructions. Please go to top of page and click on 'Menu'.