Professional & Humane Mole Trapping by Chris Stewart
Member of The British Traditional Molecatchers Register
Moles & Mole Traps
Moles live almost entirely underground in their own tunnel system. Consequently a wide range of specialist mole traps and mole trapping methods have been developed over the centuries, dating back to Roman times. The most effective and legal mole traps are those that kill humanely and instantly.
These mole traps must be set with care and skill to ensure the mole is trapped humanely and does not suffer. This is a legal requirement and can only be ensured by employing a professional mole trapper who understands mole habits, their environment and by using the correct, properly made and maintained mole-trapping equipment.
Reasons for Mole Control & Trapping
Moles cause considerable damage and subsequent problems:-
- Lawn and garden damage
- Damage to lawn mowers and agricultural machinery
- Damage to water courses and banks
- Airfields, golf links, race courses and amenity land damage
- Agricultural damage includes land coverage, crop damage, with up to 30% crop yield reduction, weed invasion and pasture degradation, listeria, (causes skin disease to sheep & goats which is transmittable to man), orf and clostridium (makes silage go sour and reduces milk and beef yield)
- Access tunnels into bird pens for stoats
- Risk of injury with consequent litigation and insurance claims
Types of Mole Trap and Control
Strong, well made and maintained mole traps are essential for the humane trapping of the mole. The modern mole trap is made of steel to stop odour retention which would be a possible danger signal to the mole. Steel also provides a strong and quick action to kill instantly and humanely, but this can only be ensured by the use of top quality and fully tested mole traps — not cheap foreign imports.
The skill is to ensure that the mole traps are set properly, in the correct place so that the mole is not scared off. If he is suspicious the mole can avoid the trap or even block or spring it by back filling with soil.
A mole trap designed to catch the mole alive is both cruel and fraught with problems - the mole may starve, it will be highly stressed and it is illegal to place a pest onto land without permission or to move without a license.
Gassing must only kill the mole and no other animal species — which is impossible to guarantee. Explosives and poisons are illegal for killing any mole in the UK.
Mole repellents — physical, auditory and olfactory have proved to be ineffective. Some methods have been tested without positive results and other products are under scrutiny by the Advertising Standards Authority. Many of the 'old wives' chemicals and liquids are illegal to use as mole repellents.
This is why professional and humane traditional mole trapping methods are so important to the control of mole activity and numbers.
Do you need help with your mole problem? Call the expert on Sevenoaks (01732) 457744 for a no-obligation quote. Chris is available 7 days a week and operates on a 'no mole - no fee' basis.
Additional services in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and the South East:
- Grey squirrel control
- Fox Control
- Deer management
- Wild life pond installation
- Conservation work
- Wild life observation platforms and hides
- Stile & kissing gate construction
- Tree planting, coppicing, pruning and felling
- Traditional Hedge laying
- Hedgerow planting
Chris also offers an illustrated presentation with videos on The Fascinating and Secret Life of the Mole. Call Chris on 01732 457744 for more information or for booking enquiries.
