Gopher and Mole Traps.Most burrowing rodent, such as ground squirrels, can be shot or taken in foot traps placed directly outside their burrows Gopher and Mole, however, present a special problem and must be taken with traps designed especially for them The wire gopher trap should be set 5 or 6 inches inside the mouth of a gopher burrow after it has been opened and cleaned. The hole is then partially plugged with vegetation or soil. The gopher is trapped when it pushes soil down the runway in an attempt to shut out the small amount of daylight showing.