Trapping is probably the most effective and reliable way of controlling moles. Both traditional traps that kill the moles humanely if used correctly and live-capture traps are available. But to work, you have to make sure you set them correctly.
Before setting, clean thoroughly with water, or rub soil over them, and always handle traps with gloves – as moles are very sensitive to smells, human scent can prevent them going near the traps.
They need careful placement. Don’t put the trap in the molehill, but instead, find the run between two molehills with a metal pole or similar and put the trap there. Open the run with minimal disturbance, perhaps with a trowel, ensuring the trap is set squarely within the run and fits tightly. Then cover around the trap with turf, making sure that no light or draughts whatsoever will get into the run. Covering with an upturned bucket will also help. Check the trap at least once a day, twice a day for live-capture traps.
If using a live-capture trap, the mole should be released at least one mile away, in a suitable area that can support it, having first gained permission from the landowner. These requirements usually make the use of such traps impractical.
Moles don’t like loud or strong vibrations or noise, so inserting the stem of children’s spinning windmills (often sold at coastal resorts) or even the mechanism from a singing birthday card into the run may work. Solar-powered or battery-operated mole scarers, which produce a buzzing noise, are another option.
Mole-scaring tactics may scare the moles to go elsewhere. Unfortunately, this is often to another part of the garden.
Another possibility is to try and flood the runs with water – but you need to do more than just pour water down the run.
If all else fails, you may want to call in the local “mole man”, if you live in an area where one exists, or even a professional pest control company.