While setting up a mole job today, the property owner asked about his crawdad problem in his lawn. He has a pond, but these things have holes (many with typical crawdad "hills") way up in his lawn. I thought I had read an article or post a few years ago regarding using mouse traps or some other unusual technique for trapping them. Not that I want to do it myself, but I'd like to give this guy some ideas on thinning them out a bit. Anyone?

I have used nomols with some success...ran into em all the time in se kansas

It sounds like an opportunity for a small crawfish boil!

Bass Bait! LOL

I'm not sure if this will be welcomed advice, but, by far, the easiest way to get rid of them is to squirt a little poison down each hole.

What AIX said.

I'd ask what is the labeled toxicant for crayfish at a water source, but I'm assuming there isn't a legal option?

I stick the appropriate sized 90 degree pvc joint coupler usually a 1" size is adequate, then place a snap trap in front of the joint exit hole and cover and stake the trap as if setting for voles. You could probably get by doing the ramp cut out to direct the exiting of the crab into the trap that should work as well also.

I spray a generic aerosol adhesive material inside the joint and then dust the interior with dirt or sand to allow the crab to have a traction surface to grab on its climb out. They are fun to catch and make good bait like stated.

Ron, I'm sure you won't use toxins. Not only are none labelled for crawdads, but poisoning the water table is NOT cool. Don't think you have an applicators license, do you?
I read somewhere that you could take a piece of string with a bit of meat on it and drop it down the hole. They'll grab it and you pull 'em out.

I'm just looking for ideas to share with this guy. Not interested in doing it myself.... and you are correct, I do not have an applicator's license.... and don't want one. Our wildlife permits in Illinois prohibit using ANY poisons or chemicals, which is fine with me.

Get some really fine mesh net, cut it into squares and tie it like a bow. Then stick the netting down a hole and anchor it using a pin flag. The next morning, the crab is trapped in the netting all you need to do is pull it out of the hole!