Common moles are solitary subterranean mammals whose welfare is poorly understood and affected by trapping for cosmetic lawn management.
Mole welfare from lethal trapping depends entirely on the humaneness of the trap used and frequency of checking. Pincer and scissor traps cause rapid death when correctly set and triggered but can cause prolonged suffering if misset. The ecological benefit of moles through soil improvement is rarely considered when trapping decisions are made purely for aesthetic reasons. Non-lethal repellent alternatives exist for cosmetic situations where harm cannot be justified.