Molecatcher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article or section needs to be wikified to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please help improve this article with relevant internal links. (May 2008) |
Contents |
[edit] History of Molecatching
Excavations of Ancient Roman 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 of sorts for unsuspecting 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. Ironically, a popular material for building traps wound up being rather low-tech: clay. The reason why clay was so popular was because it gave off little scent of the human beings that set them up.
[edit] 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 mole caught; he would earn extra money by selling the moleskins to fur dealers. Plumbers also occasionally bought the moleskins to clean pipes with.
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.
[edit] 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 quicker and in greater numbers, ethical and environmental concerns have been raised due to poison being an inhumane version of pest control and the possibility of other animals that interact with moles becoming poisoned as well.
