French GSER Help needed for.. err ...moles

[PIGGLET]

Or rather the eradication of
We are currently plagued by moles which destroying our grazing.
I got talking to a guy who told me of a device available at a large chain of general stores in France (he didn't know the name of the store but suggested it was a bit like Sears in America) which is pushed into the run and employs a shotgun cartridge to dispatch the little devils.
If anyone has or knows of such a device and could provide me with the details of both the contraption itself and the shop which sells it I would be most gratefull (though I suspect the mole population around the Stokesley area might not)
Thanks in Advance
David

 

[D6]

you will need a license for anything that deploys live cartridges???

 

[PIGGLET]

Not necesarily, but it's not a problem either way

 

[Readz]

You need mole traps, mole smokes are a waste of time. If you have a shotgun, when we were kids we used to shoot the little buggers, has to be a frosty dry morning to catch em with the gun though.

Traps are best bet, but be there is a knack to catching moles and a few tricks.

 

[Timolgra]

Apart from Aluminium Phosphide gassing compound (training is required before use) the only other successful method of control is to trap them using a variety of different traps and techniques. The most common Mole Trap being the scissor or tongs type - obtainable from most garden centres. Before using - any new trap first has to be weathered to remove any trace of scent or oil acquired during manufacture. The easiest way to do this is to bury the traps in the ground or compost heap for a few weeks, until they lose that brand new look and smell. You are now ready to start.

Firstly you need to locate the Mole run in which to set your trap. This you do by probing the ground between the molehills with a metal rod or cane, until you feel the earth give - this is when a run has been detected. Carefully remove a square of turf, about the width of the mole trap to expose the Mole run - removing any loose soil in the process. Taking the Mole trap, insert the trigger ring as near to the centre as possible and set it as fine as you can - so that very little effort is required to trigger it. Then carefully place the Mole trap in the run, making sure no stone or root can prevent the trap closing instantly. All that remains to do is break the piece of turf in half and place one segment either side of the Mole trap, to prevent any light from entering the tunnel and cover with any remaining loose soil. Always mark the location of the Mole trap, by pushing a cane into the ground next to it - as you really don’t want to run over your trap with a lawn mower.

And that’s about all there is to setting a Mole Trap. Obviously the more traps you set, the more confident you will become. Don’t expect to catch a Mole at every attempt - and be patient. Sometimes it may be days before a trap is triggered, and even then, the jaws may have missed it, just reset, and try again.
http://www.countrymanpestcontrol.co.uk/moles.htm

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I use traps and as Tim says................weather a trap first

Plus when you're setting them..................rub your hands in soil, put on some latex gloves and then rub your hands in soil again

Now set your traps

Moles have the best noses for scent detection around

Had to do it twice this year and caught 6 moles

 

[Davel]

I've found that mole smokes can work, if you see where abouts the mole is building a mound, fill in the other holes and set off your mole smoke at the one where it's just appearing.

 

[brassmonkey001]

Pouring petrol down several holes and lighting them all at once has limited results.
Sticking a hosepipe down the highest tump and trying to flood the bastards out does no good at all. Very good swimmers apparently.
I might try carbon monoxide poisoning by connecting a hose to my exhaust pipe next.

On the moles, that is. I'm not that desperate yet.

 

[Old Man]

I spend a bit of time in France and bought a cartridge type molekiller for a friend in England in the local agricultural store out there. I did wonder about the legality of importing it but thought I'd worry about that later.....Not sure I'd do it again though. Cost about 20 euros for 5 shots.
It works simply by sticking it into the run, the mole treads on a pressure plate and it's curtains for the mole. No idea if it worked though since my friend has since moved on to the great molehill in the sky. No, it wasn't the molekiller what did it.
The agricultural company was called Cheze at Ebreuil and are part of this group http://www.toutfaire.fr/
Personally I sorted the little basta.d out in my lawn with a closed pair of shears because that's what I had in my hand when I saw the earth moving on the molehill.
Good luck!

 

[the_laughing_mole]

I believe I have some experience in the matter... Having tried smoke, poison, the vibrating thingies with little success - I have found traps to be the only reliable method. Above guidance is spot-on - don't touch the traps or hole with your bare hands - they will smell you and stay well clear - and don't leave any light visible around the turf. Good luck!

 

[RadioActive]

My French father-in-law has got an explosive device called a "Torp Gun" but I think the play on words is more effective than the thing itself. I use a device a bit like a double ended rat-trap which garottes the little sods. I caught one last week and had used my hands to set the trap but perhaps my mole didn't have much of a sense of smell.

 

[PIGGLET]

Thanks for all the info folks.
Good link, cheers Tim
I'll give traps a go then. I had heard that you had to be carefull handling the traps and was a bit unsure about their effectiveness. I'm also easily seduced by anything that makes a loud bang
As a novice I am a little unsure about discovering which runs are active as there are literally hundreds of mounds over about 30 acres, thats one of the reasons I've ruled the shotgun out I've thought I've identified an active area in the past and then another crop of mounds has appeared on the other side of the field. Grrrrrrr