Why Are Pitfall Traps Less Effective Than Deadfall Traps For Catching Moles

Question From: North Branch, Michigan, United States
Q: in your write-up on how to trap moles u say the following: "A live pitfall trap is less effective than a deadfall one" i've used countless types of commercial scissor traps and like many others, i often find the trap gets triggered but doesn't catch the mole or the mole simply modifies its path so it ends up going under the trap. not sure how they know to do this but i have seen it countless times no matter how perfectly i setup the traps like all the youtube video "experts" recommend. that said, if a "pit fall" trap, the mole is going to fall into the coffee can simply by virtue of coming thru the tunnel. how can this be "less effective" than the commercial traps that have a 10% success ratio?

A: Jeff Ball wrote that file several years ago. Designs have probably changed. I will check into it. Thanks for the heads up Dave. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy