I've been battling moles in my yard for more than 30 years with only limited success. Then, I ordered two of these traps from Amazon. I had trouble setting the first trap because with the setting levers fully compressed, the locking bar remained at least one half inch away from the lip on the trigger pan. I finally solved this problem by compressing the trap against a flat surface with the jaws extending out over the edge, then while continuing to apply pressure with my left hand, I managed to apply enough force with my right thumb to bend the locking bar into position above the trigger pan. I pressed the trigger pan up and over the end of the locking bar and carefully released the setting levers. The trap remained locked and loaded! I set the first trap aside and attempted to set the second one in exactly the manner as the first, but every time I released the setting levers the trap would snap shut. Next day I called Victor customer support about the problem with the second trap. The person I talked to was friendly enough, but offered no real solution to the problem. So, I contacted Amazon for a return. I received a replacement trap from Amazon but again had exactly the same problem. I examined the trap carefully, and noticed that both the locking bar and the trigger pan had a very smooth and shiny black, painted finish. Could it be that they are so smooth that they will not remained engaged when the trap isreleased? Well, it was worth a try. I took a pair of slip joint pliers and applied them to the tip of the locking bar with a twisting motion to roughen up the surface. Next, I applied the pliers to the lip of the trigger pan with a bending motion, just enough to roughen up the paint, but not enough to bend it. Problem solved. The trap remains set every time. Are you paying attention Victor? I hope this information will help others and prevent many returns. I located a mole super highway and set my first trap. In doing so I pretty much followed the instructions as printed on the box. Using a small spade, I made two cuts across the tunnel just far enough apart to accept the width of the trap. I cleaned out the loose dirt to expose the openings from the tunnel at each side. With a small stick, I cleared out two grooves, one at each opening to the tunnel, to a depth of about 1/2 inch below the bottom surface of the tunnel. Next, with the trap set, I held it in position over the opening for a trial fit. I had to make a some minor adjustments with the stick in order to accommodate the trap in a functioning position. I removed the trap and built a small parapet about 1 1/2 inches wide across the center of the opening. I did another trial fit and saw that I needed to add a bit more dirt in order to bring the parapet up to the correct height, resting just below the trigger. Luckily the soil was damp and easily molded. I placed the trap back into position and carefully aligned it to assure that the jaws were centered on the openings to the tunnel at each end. Next, I crumbled up the soil removed earlier and sprinkled it back into the opening around the trap, partially concealing it. Lastly, I placed a five gallon bucket over the whole thing. Next morning I went out to check the trap and it was sprung. I lifted the trap and was surprised when it offered some resistance. I continued tugging at it and out it came with a great, big, fat, and very dead mole. I was elated. I reset the trap in exactly the same spot and later that day I was rewarded with another. not quite so large, but still very plump and very dead mole. I have heard that moles always come in pairs, so I decided to do a little test. I took a stick and made a small hole in the run. I checked the hole the next day and it was still open. Again, on the second day it was still open. But on the third day it was filled in. So, I set the trap again in precisely the same spot. I questioned the wisdom of this but then realized: Dead moles tell no tales. Next day I had another dead mole. I reset the trap in exactly the same spot, although the soil was drier and the sides of the opening were deteriorating. That was a mistake. Next day no mole. I looked around and right next to the trap was a neat round mole-sized hole. It had somehow eluded the trap. I moved the trap several feet up the run and reset it. Next day, another dead mole. I didn't see any sign of mole activity for a few days but decided to reset the trap anyway. Nothing for a couple days, but just now, as I was typing this I decided to go out and check it. Now, you're probably not going to believe this but I have another dead mole! I swear it's true. I placed its little corpse, trap and all into the five gallon bucket, and just as soon as I finished here I'm going to go out and bury it. So, how do I rate this trap? Let's see, what's the score so far? Five dead moles in only six sets. That's incredible! My wife says she has never seen me so exited about a product. This product works far beyond my expectations. I am simply amazed. Anyone who has a problem with moles should get one of these right away. Well, I better get going and reset my trap. That fifth mole means there's another one out there, and I am 100% confident that I will get the little bugger.
