Underground pests like gophers and moles can quickly turn a lawn or garden into a patchwork of dirt mounds and sunken tunnels. Trapping remains the most effective method for eradicating these subterranean invaders. Successful removal requires correctly identifying the pest and precisely placing the appropriate trap in their active tunnel system.
Key Differences Between Gophers and Moles
Identifying the pest is the first step, as gophers and moles require distinct trapping techniques. Gophers are rodents that create mounds that are typically fan-shaped or crescent-shaped, with the entrance hole plugged with soil and offset to one side. These animals are herbivores, feeding primarily on plant roots, bulbs, and tubers, which leads to sudden wilting and death of vegetation.
Moles, conversely, are insectivores; they feed almost exclusively on earthworms, grubs, and other soil invertebrates. Their mounds are distinctively volcano-shaped or conical, formed by pushing soil straight up from a deep tunnel, with no visible entrance plug. Moles also create raised surface ridges, known as runways, which feel spongy underfoot as they forage just beneath the turf.
Step-by-Step Guide to Trapping Gophers
Gopher trapping focuses on intercepting the animal in its main, deep runway, generally located directly beneath the fan-shaped mound. The initial step is locating the main tunnel using a specialized probe, which is pushed into the soil near the mound’s plug until it drops slightly into the open tunnel. Once the runway is identified, the entrance must be carefully excavated with a trowel to expose the tunnel opening.
The Macabee or specialized choker-style traps are recommended for gophers. Two traps should be set, facing opposite directions, to ensure the gopher is caught regardless of its approach. Secure the traps with wire or cord to a stake on the surface to prevent the gopher from pulling them deep into the tunnel.
Gophers instinctively move to plug light and air drafts in their tunnel system. This behavior is leveraged by leaving the tunnel opening exposed briefly after setting the traps. After a few minutes, the opening should be completely covered with soil, sod, or plywood to block all light. This covering tricks the gopher into approaching the disturbance and triggering the trap.
Step-by-Step Guide to Trapping Moles
Trapping moles requires a different strategy, as they are typically caught in active, shallow feeding runways rather than deep main tunnels. Identify an active tunnel by flattening a section of a surface runway with your foot. If the mole is using that tunnel regularly, it will push the soil back up to repair the runway within 12 to 24 hours, confirming it as an ideal trap placement site.
The most effective traps for moles are the scissor-jaw or harpoon-style traps, designed to be placed directly over the compressed runway. To set a scissor-jaw trap, insert the jaws into the ground to straddle the tunnel, with the trigger pan resting on the compressed soil surface. For harpoon traps, the spikes are positioned directly above the center of the runway.
The trap must be set firmly and aligned with the direction of the tunnel so the mole moving through the runway will push up the trigger plate. Tamp the soil down around the trap to eliminate air pockets and ensure stability, preventing the mole from simply tunneling underneath the mechanism. Mole traps should be checked at least once every 24 hours, as required by law in many regions, to determine if a catch has been made or if the trap needs relocation.
Post-Trapping Safety and Site Management
After a successful catch, wear gloves when handling traps or the captured animal to avoid contact with potential disease vectors. Disposal of the deceased animal must comply with local regulations, which generally permit double-bagging the pest for trash disposal or deep burial.
Once the pest is removed, the disturbed soil from the mounds and excavation sites should be backfilled and leveled to repair the lawn. To prevent recurrence, the long-term strategy for moles is reducing their food source by controlling grubs and other soil insects. For gophers, prevention involves installing subterranean barriers, such as galvanized wire mesh, around planting beds to physically exclude them.