Abstract: A mole trap has a frame that includes two spikes driven into the ground on opposite sides of an active mole run. A pair of wire loops are threaded through ground level eyes and are embedded in the ground to encircle the mole run. When a mole passes through the run, a triggering mechanism is tripped and a tension spring forcefully pulls the loops upwardly to capture the mole in one of the loops. In setting of the trap, the spring is placed under tension only after the other parts have been properly positioned. A special tool is used both to embed the wire loops and to place the spring under tension.