Molecatcher

A mole, in custody

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.

History of molecatching

A mole trap

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 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 weighted wood or cast iron, and eventually sprung 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.

Traditional molecatchers

A mole killed by a spring trap

Traditional molecatchers travelled 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.

Moleskin cloth is a sheared cotton cloth, woven similar to corduroy. It has a similar appearance to a mole's velvet coat, but no other relation. Plumbers working in lead use a 'moleskin' to wipe lead solder to form a smooth joint. This pad is a cloth pad of moleskin or corduroy, lubricated and fluxed with tallow. The skins of moles are of no use in plumbing – the fur burns with the sort of foul smell that burning hair always generates.

Pour discourager les autres

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 would pay several pence a piece for each of the moleskins. Some molecatchers also followed a practice of hanging the caught bodies of moles on a nearby wire fence, allegedly 'to discourage other moles'. Whilst it is unlikely that moles could even see their brethren's bodies, let alone comprehend the warning, it did act as a rather gruesome form of advertising for the catcher.

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.^[1] 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 mole'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 molehills 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.

Bibliography

• Randa, Arthur (1970). Fenland Molecatcher. Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0710068026. 
• Smith, Guy N. (1980). Moles and Their Control. Saiga Publishing. ISBN 0904558827. 
• Atkinson, Rob (2013). Moles. Whittet Books. 

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mole catching.

• Association of Professional Mole Catchers
• British Traditional Molecatchers Register
• Guild of British molecatchers