Catching a vole with a pincer trap is quite a common method as the mice are not protected. Below you can find out how to set up the pincer trap correctly and whether it can also be used for moles.

From time to time it should be checked whether the vole has gone into the pincer trap

How does the vole pincer trap work?

The pincer trap is a killing trap placed in a vole exit. If the vole walks through, it is triggered and the vole is crushed between the two arms of the tongs, which are usually equipped with pointed teeth.

Set up the pincer trap for voles correctly

When setting up the vole trap, you should definitely wear odorless gloves. Voles have a very keen sense of smell and will avoid the trap if it smells like humans. Then proceed as follows:

  1. Find an entrance into a vole tunnel. Check with your hand which direction the aisle is going.
  2. Using a wire, poke the ground away from the vole entrance several times to check the course of the burrow. Based on the resistance, you should be able to determine whether there is a vole exit under the lawn.
  3. Dig a hole with a small shovel or planting piercer. Check if you caught a vole exit.
  4. Enlarge the hole to accommodate the vole pincer trap.
  5. Open the pliers and attach the release plate so the case stays open. Mount the plate very close to the edge so that the pincer trap can be easily triggered.
  6. Place a bait in the center tile and insert the vole pincer into the hole.
  7. Cover the opening and the vole entrance you grabbed with loose moss.

tips

Never reach into the trap from the side (i.e. between the toothed arms)! The trap could snap shut, which is extremely painful.

Caution mole: risk of confusion

Are you sure your garden pest is a vole? You should be, because moles are protected and must not be killed! Although moles make ugly mounds in the lawn, they are otherwise very useful because they eat vermin. Voles, on the other hand, are vegetarian and feed on roots and vegetables.

tips

If you are an animal-friendly person, it is better to use a live trap or first try to drive the vole away with home remedies.

Category:

Animals in the garden