Catching a vole with a pincer trap is a very common method since the mice are not protected. Below you will find out how to set up the pliers trap correctly and whether it can also be used for moles.
How do you catch a vole with a pincer trap?
To catch a vole with a pincer trap, find an entrance to the vole tunnel, check the passageway, place the trap in the hole with bait, and cover the opening with loose moss. Use odorless gloves to avoid human smell.
How does the vole pincer trap work?
The Pincer Trap is a kill trap that is placed in a vole exit. If the vole walks through it, it is triggered and the vole is crushed between the two arms of the forceps, which are usually equipped with sharp teeth.
Pet-friendly is different
If you are an animal-friendly person, it is better to use a live trap or first try to get rid of the vole with home remedies.
Set up the pincer trap for voles correctly
You should definitely wear odorless gloves when setting up the vole trap. Voles have a very keen sense of smell and will avoid the trap if it smells like humans. Then proceed as follows:
- Find an entrance into a vole tunnel. Use your hand to check which direction the aisle is facing.
- Prick the ground several times with a wire away from the vole entrance 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.
- Dig a hole with a small shovel or a plant hole cutter (€9.00 on Amazon). Check if you caught a vole exit.
- Enlarge the hole so that the vole pincer trap fits in.
- Open the pliers and attach the release plate so that the case remains open. Mount the plate very close to the edge so that the pincer trap can be triggered easily.
- Put a bait in the middle plate and insert the vole tongs into the hole.
- Cover the opening and vole entrance you touched with loose moss.
Tip
Never reach into the trap from the side (i.e. between the toothed arms)! The trap could snap shut, which is extremely painful.
Beware of moles: 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 pests. Voles, on the other hand, are vegetarians and eat roots and vegetables.
