It started a few weeks ago, I was walking past my neighbours garden and noticed some fresh mounds of mole hills, I smiled to myself and started to imagine the little mole tunnelling it’s way around her garden. I did wonder how it had got there though, seeing as the garden has a pathway and drive to overcome before it hit the wormy soil!

I didn’t have too long to wait until I noticed some raised areas in my own flower beds, on further examination with a garden cane I could feel the large voids as I prodded the soil, I then realised that he had gone from my neighbours garden and had circumnavigated completely around the borders in my garden.

After two days the mole hills started popping up all over the lawn, I even sat for some time very quietly and watched his movement under the soil and saw him push up the earth through our lovely lawn! It was the first time I had ever seen a mole make their own little hills.

Although my neighbour and I found it fascinating, my husband didn’t and threatened all sorts of mischief. (of course he didn't mean it)

This called for action and a visit to my local garden centre, I had to visit 3 different ones before I could find a humane ‘live catch’ mole trap. I didn’t want to harm him but I could see our lawn looking more and more like a green mogul field.

Following their instructions I placed the traps in various tunnels and waited, and waited.

I couldn’t leave the traps in place all day, as I was at work and you need to check them regularly, this is also true at night. But with patience and determination, I had failed for 4 days. Then on the Saturday morning as I was off work I placed the two traps in some tunnels and went off shopping, returned 2 hours later and I couldn’t believe it but there he was. So tiny and with a velvet coat he was lovely. I was aware of their sharp teeth so I had kept my gardening gloves nearby just in case I caught him!.

  We are lucky as our house backs onto fields, so a 10 minute walk across the field and near a hedge I released him. He looked a bit stunned to be out in the open and I was worried as he didn’t move for at least one minute, I kept very still and then he seemed to sense he was safe and off he went into the loose soil and leaves under the hedge.

Please if you have the same situation as I found myself in, try and use a humane 'live catch' mole trap. It might take a bit longer and you may have more mess in your gardens. But to be able to release this little creature back into the wild is well worth it.

Our lawn has almost recovered after just one week, and it was being aerating by the mole at the same time!

(Update, although they do not eat your bulbs etc, I have found that some of mine have mysteriously moved around the garden a bit!)

This is the mole trap I used, I have since recommended them to other people. And as they have proved to be quite popular I have brought some more and am now selling them as a humane way to control moles. Please go to my Shop with GetPetAdvice page to see how they work and to buy one if you wish!.

Or Buy Your Humane Mole Trap Here
(These prices include some postage costs for overseas customers)