Top 5 of The Best Mole Traps Reviewed (**2020 Edition**)

The old adage from your youth bleeds back into your brain: "Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill."

When your property is littered with these mole hills, it's hard NOT to make a big deal out of it. 

If you're looking for an easy set mole trap that'll do the trick and do it fast, you've come to the right place. Keep on reading for some crucial info about the best way to trap a mole, as well as our top five recommendations for mole traps.

Short on time?  Take a look below for the top 5 in our list. Otherwise, check out our buying guide

1. Wire Tek 1001 EasySet Mole Eliminator Trap (our #1 pick)
2. Humane Tunnel Mole Trap (best for humane killing)
3. Victor Out O'Sight Mole Trap (more cost friendly trap)
4. Victor Plunger Style Mole Trap
5. The Black Box Trap

What Do Moles Do?

Moles live alone, they're not known to carry diseases or rabies, and they probably won't bite you (or will they?).

So what's the big deal?

Why should you care if they're hanging out below your ground? 

Grub Consumption

We've got to give credit where credit's due: moles can be a pretty big help if you've got too many bugs in your yard.

This is especially true if you have a tick or flea infestation. Moles tend to vacuum up insect larvae as they plow through the dirt creating tunnels.

Their primary source of food is the earthworm because its body shape aligns perfectly with the mole's snout. Also, the earthworm is full of water, which serves as a hydration agent for these below-ground dwellers.

Mole Hills and Runways

Any way you slice it, mole hills are ugly. 

The last thing you want when you look out at your beautifully-landscaped backyard is to see piles of dirt freshly unearthed overnight.

A mole hill forms when the animal digs a tunnel beneath the ground and the resulting dirt pushes itself up, breaking the "seal" of the surface. 

A mole runway occurs under the same premise, but in a much more extensive fashion. If you see a series of vein-like lines of dirt in your yard, you've spotted a runway: a tunnel system that's close enough to the surface to extract the dirt above the length of the tunnel.

Why these dirt piles are dangerous: Aside from the hazard of tripping over them, they're indicators of a hole in your yard. Step the wrong way, and you could find yourself on the receiving end of a sprained ankle at best, or a broken leg at worst.

The Root of the Problem (pun intended)

Human hazards on the back burner for now, let's take a look in another direction: your plants.

Moles burrow so relentlessly all day, every day that they often cause destruction to the root systems of plants above. Plants die, and can even fall over without support in the ground.

Why this is an issue?

​Think about which plant roots are going to be most densely-populated with invertebrates lurking around. 

That's right: strong, long-living trees.

If there's a mole creating a network of tunnels near the roots of a tree day after day, you're at risk for having that tree plop right over, potentially damaging your home, you neighbors' homes, your vehicle, and so much more. People in the vicinity are put at a mortal risk, as are pets and other animals roaming around.

The below video demonstrates how to place and use the Out of Sight Mole Trap (one of our favorites). Take a look as this method has helped thousands of homeowners.

When Is A Good Time to Catch a Mole?

The seasons can play a huge role in whether or not your trapping endeavors work on the first few tries.

Of course, this advice doesn't exactly represent some environments which don't see a significant change in temperatures year-round.

However, if the seasons are distinct in your neck of the words, give the next few sections a read for optimal trapping.

Summer and Winter: The Deepest Burrows

Moles don't hibernate like chipmunks do, but they DO utilize burrowing nests that run further down into the ground during the cold months. 

These guys go to the bottom of their nesting sites in inclement weather, be it hot or cold.

In both the summer and the winter, it's significantly more difficult to trap a mole for this very reason: the moles simply aren't reachable by humans.

The upside of this fact is that during these months with extreme temperatures, you probably won't see as much damage from moles (if any at all). They'll be too deep in the ground to bother you in summer, and the yard will probably be blanketed by snow in winter.

Spring and Autumn: Surface Tension

In the transition seasons when the weather outside is significantly more pleasant, you'll find a lot more mole activity, which means...

...more mole damage.

Fortunately, this is when you're going to be the most successful at catching these nuisance animals. 

How Do Mole Tunnels Work?

Most professional mole traps should be placed in "active tunnels" to catch moles causing problems in the yard.

What's an active tunnel, and how can you locate it?

"How Do I Know It's Active?"

Fact: Moles can propel up to 40 times that of their body weight, and they spend this exorbitant amount of energy digging tunnels. 

Their underground burrows are a network of intersecting pathways with several different uses. A mole will dig out one nesting spot to sleep, another wing of the burrow to feed, and more tunnels for transportation between these areas.

These "transportation tunnels" are the active tunnel systems.

Some dead giveaways that you've got an active tunnel:

• It's capped by a mole hill or a mole runway. This is where loose earth is pushed up and protrudes from the grass, indicating that the ground below is getting some traffic.
• You can stomp on the ground above the mole hill/runway and it'll be rebuilt soon. When your foot makes a hole in a tunnel that's used regularly by a mole, the mole will rebuild the damage within a few days.

A Straight Shot

If you're looking at two mole hills in your yard, chances are that there's an active tunnel extending in a straight line between them.

Moles are efficient and tend to create their active tunnels in straight lines without a lot of curve or zig-zag. 

This is an invaluable piece of knowledge when setting a few traps out in your yard. Remember to align them in an orderly position through the tunnel, and you should see success in catching a mole.

What Are Important Mole-Catching Tips?

Sometimes, it's not just about finding mole traps that work, but also taking advantage of the right way to use them.

When you set your mole trap, you're going to want to do everything in your power to make sure it's as effective as possible.

Keep reading below for some pointers on how to maximize the results and catch those moles quickly.

Tip 1: Wear Gloves

Moles are loners; so much so that they live most of their lives as the only resident of their burrows.

This being said, these creatures can detect a foreign scent right off the bat.

If you handle your trap with your bare hands, you're spreading the scent of a human to the area that will come into direct contact with the mole. Upon smelling a foreign aroma, the mole will likely run the other way, rendering your trap useless.

Also, when you're removing your trap, it's not always readily apparent that you've actually caught a mole. Wear gloves just in case; you could find yourself with a mole corpse to dispose of.

Tip 2: Clean Your Trap Thoroughly

If you think you're going overkill on cleaning your trap, you're probably cleaning it exactly the right amount of times.

Because of the point illustrated above regarding moles and scents, it's important to clean your trap as often as possible. Optimal cleaning times include:

• When you first get it, before use
• If you or someone else has physically touched it
• After a mole has been caught

The most effective smell you want to have on your trap is the smell of earth. You can achieve this by setting your trap in the dirt where you know you don't have a mole burrowing.

After a few days, remove the trap and set it for use in a mole's active tunnel.

Tip 3: Irrigate Your Soil Before Use

Because mole traps are designed to affect only the surface tunnels, you'll need a little extra something to entice the mole to head up to the upper tunnels in the network they've created.

When you spray your soil with water, it loosens up the dirt and becomes attractive for the mole to traverse. 

Mole Products Reviewed

In the below section we break down each of our product recommendations in a little more detail.​

1. Wire Tek 1001 EasySet Mole Eliminator Trap (our #1 pick)
2. Humane Tunnel Mole Trap (best for humane killing)
3. Victor Out O'Sight Mole Trap (more cost friendly trap)
4. Victor Plunger Style Mole Trap
5. The Black Box Trap