The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-07-25

mole when 1t attempts to pass in Ell
Their direction. The choker trap has a
pair Of wire loops that encircle the
burrOw when the trap is set. All these
traps are sprung by the same sort Of
mechanism-a trigger pan resting on
depressed place in the mole ridge In
such way as to be lifted when the ami
NAL passes beneath. No part of set
mole trap should ever be In the run
way, as It's presence makes the animal
avoid the obstruction by burrowing
around or below it.
Directions for Setting Traps.
Only general directions for setting
mole traps can be given here, nor are
detailed instructions necessary, since
the makers of traps usually furnish
specific directions for using them. A
mole trap can be successfully oper-
ated only when set on that part of a
mole runway which Is near the sur
face and has the soil raised into a
distinct ridge, newly worked. Freshly
broken soil usually indicates that the
tunnel is In use. When in doubt, the
operator may make a small break in
the ridge and observe whether the
mole repairs 1t within few hours. In
placing a trap, one of the stretches of
the runway that leads in definite di-
rection should be chosen rather than
one of the turns that may not be regu-
larly traversed by the mole.
Before setting the trap, 1t is well to
ascertain the course of the burrow by
thrusting down a lead pencil, or stick
of similar size. The trap selected
should then be lined up with the course
as nearly as possible; the jaws of the
scissOr-Ja type should straddle it, the
loops of the choker type should encir-
Gle It, and the spikes of the harpoOn
type should be directly above it. In
the case of the harpoon type, it is best
to force the impaling spikes into the
ground once or twice to facilitate their
penetrating into the burrows when the
trap is sprung. 1t is desirable also, in
setting any of the traps, to depress on
ly that part Of the ridge Immediately
under the trigger pan, using the hand
instead of the foot for this purpose. A
little earth or a small chip of wood
may be placed under the pan If neces-
sary. The trigger catch should be set
as lightly as possible, and one should
avoid stepping on any part Of the rum
way near the trap. 1t will pay to visit
traps at least twice day.
Moles are persistent in repairing
breaks in their tunnels and may often
be surprised at their work. 1t is easy
then to capture the animal by impaling
1t with fork or throwing it out by
quick thrust of spade or shovel. A
section Of the runway may first be
broken open or leveled and the place
watched until the animal is observed
moving the soil.
Other Traps Used.
Moles are sometimes trapped in emp
ty glass Jars, gallon size. The jar
should be set along a main mole rum
way that has been long in use. A mar
row excavation, deep enough to receive
the jar and allow It's top to be some
what below the bottom of the tunnel,
should be made. The sod may then be
replaced over the excavation so as to
bridge without obstructing the en-
trance to the jar. The animal in COM
ing along the tunnel falls into the jar
and cannot climb out. Success depends
much on the skill used In placing the
trap.
Repeated leveling Of mole ridges on
Q lawn by means of a roller not only
tends to discourage the animals from
making further incursions, but pre-
vents the soil from drying out and thus
injuring grass roots.
For further information about the
mole, its habits, and methods of con-
troll, the reader is referred to Farmers
Bulletin $685. 1.-THE Common Mole OF
the Eastern United States"