Molecatcher
Encyclopedia
Molecatching is the process of trapping or killing moles
in places, notably farms and gardens, where they are considered a threat to crops, yards or gardens.
sites have revealed countless earthenware
pots that are buried into the ground. It is believed that the pots were filled with water and acted as a trap for moles; it was a simple yet deadly trap, as any mole that would fall into the pot would drown in the water.
As time wore on, traps used to catch and kill moles have become more advanced and complicated. The traps have gone from being earthenware pots to being wood
, and eventually steel
, traps that were designed to ensnare any mole that passed under them. A popular material for building traps is clay
. Clay retains little scent of the human beings that set the trap.
caught; he would earn extra money by selling the moleskins to fur dealers. Also, until quite recently, plumbers used moleskins to “wipe”, or finish, joints in lead piping.
In more modern times (late 19th-early 20th century), British molecatchers were paid over 50p by farmers and gardeners for every mole caught. Fur dealers and plumbers would pay several pence a piece for each of the moleskins.
Since the removal of Strychnine from the UK market in 2006 (see below) there has been a revival of traditional molecatching in Britain.
Poisoning using Strychnine is no longer an approved method of control in the UK following the withdrawal of the poison from the market in 2006. Fumigation is still an approved method of control using products based on Aluminium Phosphide (Trade names 'Talunex' and 'Phostoxin') but may only be carried out by fully trained operatives.
Modern traditional mole catchers use traps, and usually charge a 'per mole' fee like their forebears. The price charged reflects the fact that there is no longer a market for moleskins.
's status as a hated pest can be resolved in gardens without recourse to molecatchers or poisons or traps. One solution to the visual problem of molehill
s on lawns is to carefully remove the earth (without damaging the moles' tunnels), allowing the moles to continue their existence in their galleries under the lawn. This method is not advised by mole catchers as it can lead to an uneven surface.
Both the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Natural England do not recommend live relocation. On farms if silage is contaminated with molehill earth this can result in deadly listeria being passed to sheep and cattle. Studies in Europe have shown that widespread field infestations can reduce product yield by up 30%.
Sonic devices have not proven successful in moving mole problems.
Mole (animal)
Moles are small cylindrical mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have velvety fur; tiny or invisible ears and eyes; and short, powerful limbs with large paws oriented for digging. The term is especially and most properly used for the true moles, those of the Talpidae family in the...
in places, notably farms and gardens, where they are considered a threat to crops, yards or gardens.
History of molecatching
Excavations of Ancient RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
sites have revealed countless earthenware
Earthenware
Earthenware is a common ceramic material, which is used extensively for pottery tableware and decorative objects.-Types of earthenware:Although body formulations vary between countries and even between individual makers, a generic composition is 25% ball clay, 28% kaolin, 32% quartz, and 15%...
pots that are buried into the ground. It is believed that the pots were filled with water and acted as a trap for moles; it was a simple yet deadly trap, as any mole that would fall into the pot would drown in the water.
As time wore on, traps used to catch and kill moles have become more advanced and complicated. The traps have gone from being earthenware pots to being wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
, and eventually steel
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
, traps that were designed to ensnare any mole that passed under them. A popular material for building traps is clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
. Clay retains little scent of the human beings that set the trap.
Traditional molecatchers
Traditional molecatchers traveled from farm to farm in order to catch moles. The molecatcher's clients would provide food and lodgings. Also, the molecatcher would be paid for every moleMole (animal)
Moles are small cylindrical mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have velvety fur; tiny or invisible ears and eyes; and short, powerful limbs with large paws oriented for digging. The term is especially and most properly used for the true moles, those of the Talpidae family in the...
caught; he would earn extra money by selling the moleskins to fur dealers. Also, until quite recently, plumbers used moleskins to “wipe”, or finish, joints in lead piping.
In more modern times (late 19th-early 20th century), British molecatchers were paid over 50p by farmers and gardeners for every mole caught. Fur dealers and plumbers would pay several pence a piece for each of the moleskins.
Since the removal of Strychnine from the UK market in 2006 (see below) there has been a revival of traditional molecatching in Britain.
Modern molecatchers
In recent times, traditional molecatching (such as using clay and steel traps) has given way to the use of poison. Although the usage of poison results in moles dying much more quickly and in greater numbers, ethical and environmental concerns have been raised over poison being an inhumane method of pest control and the possibility of other animals that interact with moles becoming poisoned as well.Poisoning using Strychnine is no longer an approved method of control in the UK following the withdrawal of the poison from the market in 2006. Fumigation is still an approved method of control using products based on Aluminium Phosphide (Trade names 'Talunex' and 'Phostoxin') but may only be carried out by fully trained operatives.
Modern traditional mole catchers use traps, and usually charge a 'per mole' fee like their forebears. The price charged reflects the fact that there is no longer a market for moleskins.
Alternative
The moleMole (animal)
Moles are small cylindrical mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They have velvety fur; tiny or invisible ears and eyes; and short, powerful limbs with large paws oriented for digging. The term is especially and most properly used for the true moles, those of the Talpidae family in the...
's status as a hated pest can be resolved in gardens without recourse to molecatchers or poisons or traps. One solution to the visual problem of molehill
Molehill
A molehill is a conical mound of loose soil raised by small burrowing mammals, including moles, but also similar animals such as mole-rats, marsupial moles and voles...
s on lawns is to carefully remove the earth (without damaging the moles' tunnels), allowing the moles to continue their existence in their galleries under the lawn. This method is not advised by mole catchers as it can lead to an uneven surface.
Both the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Natural England do not recommend live relocation. On farms if silage is contaminated with molehill earth this can result in deadly listeria being passed to sheep and cattle. Studies in Europe have shown that widespread field infestations can reduce product yield by up 30%.
Sonic devices have not proven successful in moving mole problems.
External links
- A directory site listing mole catchers all over the UK
- Association of Professional Mole Catchers
- British Traditional Molecatchers Register
- Guild of British molecatchers
- 20 interesting facts about moles on the Guild of British Mole Catchers website (see column on right side)—also discusses the history of mole catching: