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AIBU?

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Original poster

To take up the mole traps from PIL lawn?

114 replies

MoogDroog · 15/08/2013 15:28

Staying at the PILs whilst they're away for the week. Beautiful garden with a lawn currently getting ruined by 'that bloody mole'. FIL has set traps, holes dig in lawn trap laid, piece of ply on top.
He's set up a goalpost next to the minefield for DCs (2 and 4.5) to play with. MIL expressed some concern about 'tiny fingers' but was dismissed.
They left a couple of hours ago and DH is taking them up.
We're right aren't we?

OP posts:
BrokenSunglasses · 15/08/2013 15:32

I'm not sure.

Are the traps harmful to moles? If they are, I'd remove them anyway regardless of whether there was or wasn't a risk to the dc.

If they are not harmful to moles, I think it depends on who is doing who the favour here. Did the PILs ask you to house sit so you are doing them the favour? If so, then remove them just in case.

But if you are using the house as a getaway/holiday for your family and the ils are lending you their house as a favour, then it would be rude to remove the traps, and you will just have to be very vigilant when your dc are outside instead.

BoozyBear · 15/08/2013 15:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
MoogDroog · 15/08/2013 15:38

Hmm. Well the house is ours for a holiday really, though we did think we'd be doing them a favour by looking after the cats - they put them in a cattery though.
I asked FIL if them were nice traps but he told me they chop a mole in half Shock. He played it down with DH and MIL though, but having seen DH take them up and set them off, I'd consider it a high risk of maiming for a 2 year old.
So they're up.
I rather like moles anyway.

OP posts:
hevak · 15/08/2013 15:41

I'd take them up and see if you can buy humane traps - can you relocate moles? I have no idea (didn't grow up in Britain) Grin

Perhaps phone the RSPCA for advice about humanely relocating/killing moles? I like them too not that I've seen any IRL

TiggyD · 15/08/2013 16:13

You're going to help to ruin his lawn.

When I put traps down with children about I put buckets upside down over them and peg them down. (The traps, not the children.)

landrover · 15/08/2013 16:45

Go and buy some of those tall flower things that whirl round in the breeze, apparently the moles don't like the vibration so stay way (they really work too)! You can get them v cheaply from garden centres x

landrover · 15/08/2013 16:46

Sorry forgot to say you poke them in around the lawn so they are like little flowery windmills!

littlemog · 15/08/2013 16:47

Take them up for the poor moles' sakes. Bloody cruel and stupid.

Dominodonkey · 15/08/2013 16:47

Take them up- Your PIL are evil if they care more about a lawn than an animal's life.

And they sound unsafe for your DCs too.

Oswin · 15/08/2013 16:50

Take them up! Jesus I can't believe that's even legal. What a horrific death.

sweetheart · 15/08/2013 16:50

I think regardless of the way they trap / kill moles you are BU to take them up without his permission as it is his lawn and his traps and his house.

TiggyD · 15/08/2013 16:57

Kill the fuzzy bastards!

I assume all the anti trappists are vegans who only eat food produced without pesticides?

5Foot5 · 15/08/2013 17:00

Not your lawn you have no right.
There must be ways you can ensure your children don't fiddle with them.

WorraLiberty · 15/08/2013 17:04

Hmm. Well the house is ours for a holiday really

Not it's not

It's their home that they've allowed you to stay in

You have no right to take up the traps because it's not your garden

But then you know that.

Damnautocorrect · 15/08/2013 17:07

Yanbu those things look like some ancient torture devise.
Get some windmills shove them in the mole holes.
Tell him the kids and cats went near the traps.

then break the traps so he can never use them again

Damnautocorrect · 15/08/2013 17:09

Lets not forget the horrific scene you'll / kids be presented with if the traps get a mole

TiggyD · 15/08/2013 17:12

The kids will love to see most of a mole.

BeerTricksPotter · 15/08/2013 17:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TiggyD · 15/08/2013 17:28

A gentleman would never go into your garden uninvited and dig tunnels everywhere and leave huge hills of dirt behind.

thebody · 15/08/2013 17:34

moles bloody ruined our lawn and there isn't any humane way to stop them but traps. we tried them all so please don't need a list.

put a flowerpot over them and keep an eye in your children.

your fil will be furious, I know I would be, I adore animals but believe me we literally lost our lawn in 2 weeks.

BeerTricksPotter · 15/08/2013 17:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

littlemog · 15/08/2013 17:37

Beautiful British wildlife is far more precious than your poxy lawn. No-one who 'adores' animals traps and kills moles. Disgraceful.

thebody · 15/08/2013 17:37

windmills crap.. don't work by the way neither do bottles shoved in the hole or water.

Dominodonkey · 15/08/2013 17:38

YY littlemog

thebody · 15/08/2013 17:41

sorry littlemog that's just crap.

we hated doing it but the hills are not just unsightly they are dangerous under foot.

we have foxes, badgers and deer all over the lawn and although they so some damage its nothing compared to moles.