This is a bad year for both Voles and Pocket Gophers....I don't think we have actual Moles here. For the pocket gophers there is a trap that you can get at UFA. It's a black box with the bottom and one end removed. The other end has a hole. When the gophers goes into it to cover the hole (they hate daylight) they get caught and killed in the trap. You may see a lot of those nice dirt mounds, but you don't have as many critters as you have mounds. You have to be selective about which mound you set up on. Go for the freshest dirt. I'd start with 6 traps and mark the locations with landscape markers (wires with fluorescent tape). For voles which dig those neat little trenches, the solution is mouse traps. But I wouldn't worry about them, they'll die off and go away. This past winter, I've been told is responsible for this problem. Believe me, you're not alone.

Thanks alot for the replies.

New to me - out in the palliser triangle there weren't such critters. The gophers came out where you could whack them.

These must be the pocket gophers - just a whole bunch of black mounds.

I'm sure gitrdun is right on the name, we have always generically referred to them as moles though. Lots in the area.

Before attacking the problem, I did a bit of research on the internet. I knew what the critters looked like because my blue healer brought back a few and deposited them on the front porch. Moles have much larger front feet than pocket gophers do. My critters are pocket gophers. The traps that I purchased from UFA certainly weren't $75.00 if I recall. They work very well if you pick the right mound. I use a sharp stick to find the tiny little entry hole without disturbing the mound to much. It's a bit of an art form as all trapping is....

Post up some pics if you catch the critters

Yup Axeman, that is what my traps look like instead of round, they are square. Same idea though. they work.