Ask the Molecatcher

Is this reasonable? (Mole catching charges)

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:32:08 +0000

I don’t know if you will be willing to answer my question and I will understand if you feel it unethical to do so. However, I do hope you will be able to help to some degree.We have an area of lawn, a bit less than a quarter of an acre, which has had a mole problem. We have had a local molecatcher to deal with it (not, I hasten to add, a member of your, or any other relevant organisation). His base is 2 miles from the problem site and he says he has caught 5 moles.

He has presented us with a bill for over £250 which we think is excessive. I would really appreciate it if you could tell us what you think.

Judith

Hi Judith

I can’t comment directly on cost or possible mole numbers on an individual case because I don’t know all the relevant facts - usual rates in your part of country, VAT registered molecatcher, topography of plot, insurance held etc but I can say that The Guild of British Molecatchers expects our members to be very clear on pricing structure before a customer agrees to having mole control work undertaken. The first article in our Code of Practice exhorts members to “deal fairly, openly and honestly with their clients”.

One of the advantages of trapping is that physical evidence of the numbers caught is to hand and we believe should be offered by the molecatcher to their customer as proof of a job well done - this is a time honoured practice and avoids any misunderstandings. We also encourage our members to give a rough estimate of the number of moles they think are likely to be present. This, of course, helps inform the customer’s choice about whether to proceed or not.

Admin (pp Bryn)

Problems catching moles in Jan and Feb

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 06:27:09 +0000

I have been catching moles for a while now with not many problems, BUT I always find catching them in January and February really difficult (some times taking weeks!). Is there any reason for this? It has become a trend over the last few years and frustrating. Have you heard of anyone else finding this happening in these months or is it a Worcester area mole problem or me? 99% of my mole trapping is in domestic properties.

Dave Prive (David Price Pest Management)

Hello Dave

Normally catching moles in the colder months can pose a few problems due to the weather impact on the location, this recent mild weather during the wnter month’s has slowed things down somewhat in that moles have in some areas not even began to enter into a breeding phase - differnt parts of the country will have different weather patterns which need to be considered.

To what the moles are experiencing in your particular area. Domestic locations can also make considerable demand on moles from their very use but in this occasion your difficulty in catching them may be from the fact the mole is in a number of adjoining gardens and if the reason is you not catching is because the mole has only short periods of activity in the garden or location you have access to when it enters to obtain a food source.

Look a little broader if this is the case- If the problem is the trap is being dug around or through even plugged could be down to a simple care of correct trap placement.

Molecatchers are dictated to by the mole activity and we must fully understand what influences are in turn placing pressure on the mole.

Good luck

Bryn

Intellegent mole?

Arnold — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:49:31 +0000

Location is a garden alongside a railway bank which itself is riddled with our little “fiends”. One major run into the garden. Sandy soil, surface burrows, good lawn. Using a talpex as the runs are so shallow a barrel sits too high. Setting it is ok as the soil has a bit of “stickability”. Problem is our intellegent friend comes to the trap and turns 90 degrees and digs a new tunnel as opposed to trying to clear the existing run. Never seen this before and in a neighbouring garden, (1 trap only) took the mole in 20 mins (still talking over a cuppa). So, what’s going on? Have I got a super intellegent mole?

Hi Paul,

If you’re using a Talpex, it sounds like moley is very much aware of the change in its run! I expect you have made sure all of the trap is covered and no elements are getting into the run. Comparing the two sizes of traps I would say that the half barrel is smaller than the talpex, so try putting another trap further back along the run or find the other run out of the garden.

Arnold

Molecatching on farms - Method?

admin — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:31:00 +0000

Hi Bryn
I have been asked to catch moles on various farms where I live in Scotland. What is the best procedure trapping around perimeters?

Do I place a trap at any mole activity or every 20 metres or is there another way?

Regards,
Derek Downie – Guild member no 314.

Hi Derek

Look along the perimeter and determine the tunnels are running along the drip line of any structure- fence etc, probe to find the tunnel and be bold have a look inside - is it smooth and well used if so set the trap there, if not sure just cover it back over - tunnels in these locations are often disturbed by animals etc so the mole will not be too troubled by this, Look for the tunnels running along a perimeter that seem to link to obvious feeding grounds - these maybe tunnels branching out from these main runs and set the traps a short distance prior to here -

Hope this helps.

Bryn is unable to answer questions at the moment - This question has been answered by another Master Molecatcher.

Why is there soil in the mole trap?

Arnold — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:32:22 +0000

I have been catching moles with some succes for a number of years. More recently I’ve been doing it a lot more. Sometimes when I check my traps there caked up with soil is the mole going underneath my trap?

Graham

Graham, are you sure that you are covering the trap back over so there is no light, wind or rain getting in! If you’re happy that you are, then moley has sensed the trap, so check that the trap is in a straight run and is a tight fit in the run.

Regards,

Arnold

H S E policy statment - can you help?

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:40:21 +0000

I am quoting for work on a golf club they need a H S E policy statment can you help

Vicar

Hi Vicar,

I have a H S E policy statment which I used when I am quoting for work I will forward you a copy if you supply me with your email address.

All the best Bryn

Costing - hours or acres?

Arnold — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:09:50 +0000

Hi Arnold

I’m interested to understand how you calculate charges and create contracts for mole control. Say I’ve got a 2 hundred acre field with 6 mole hills in it and a small garden with 10 mole hills in it, do you charge per mole caught or the time spent or the physical size of the location at which you’re performing control? What is the hourly rate, or do you charge by job? Is it reasonable for a client to expect or be provided with a guarantee?

Hi John,

With private/domestic gardens i charge per mole, but with your 2 hundred acre field, i would generally have to visit and assess the surroundings. You would be also entitled to ask for a guarantee, but if you use any molecatchers from the guild, results are guaranteed anyway.

Regards,

Arnold

How can I charge for my hobby?

Arnold — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:46:24 +0000

Hi, thanks for your help,I was taught to catch moles with a trap about 12 years ago and I’ve got quite good at getting them.

I currently catch moles on my own rented land and also for a couple of neighbours. I’ve got 35 traps.

I would quite like to go into business as a part time mole catcher as I also have a graphic design business which already provides me income. Currently i’m only catching moles for other people as a favour for which i can ask a favour in return a bit like barter.

Most of the day I sit behind a computer designing websites so it is a great relief to get out in the open air and set some traps.

I live in a very rural part of East Anglia where moles are very common, so I can buy more traps and find more people to hunt moles for.

I don’t know how to price my services though and I would love to know if selling the skins is a viable income too.

Can you help me find out some more information so I can get a part time business going. Can I charge per acre or per mole? Are moleskins worth anything to anyone?

Thanks again, I look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Tim,

Firstly one has to take into consideration that hopefully you will be checking the traps on a daily basis, under the Animal welfare act 2006.

Then, how far you will have to travel to each job,and back again if you haven’t caught the mole over night! At present, i charge per mole on a No mole,No fee arrangement £50, hope this helps, regards, Arnold

Tuning Mole Traps and Mole Trap Setting

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 14:18:55 +0000

i have been mole catching for 2 years now and have only used scissor traps i would like to try the tunnel trap but believe they need fine tuning, how do you fine tune a tunnel tap?

Andrew

Hello Andrew,

You have asked me two questions the first one regarding the tuning of mole traps by this I take it you mean adjustment and the other the insertion of the trap.

You also mention that you have no experience using the tunnel trap so my question to you would be how do you know that the traps you have need adjusting ?

Most traps these days that are made by reputable companies will catch moles straight from them no adjustment need but as your experience grows you will know when a trap is not working as it should.

By interfering with the setting at this stage you could cause suffering to the mole by catching it in the wrong place in the trap.

Regading the setting of the trap the mole needs to press against the mumble pin to set the trap off so with all the best will in the world you will never totaly hide your trap.

I have a suggestion for you join one of our courses you will learn all you need to know to get you started on the right path if you feel that you cannot afford that get Jeff Nicholls Practical Molecating book there is alot of info on setting and placing traps.

Good Luck.

Bryn

How to generate work

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:26:07 +0000

Having trouble getting work, word of mouth doesn’t seem to work. Advertising is costly. Any ideas ?.

Mel

Hi Mel,

There are a few ways of getting work that wont cost you a fourtune, I have the rear of my vehice sign written which only cost me £25 you would be suprised how much work I get form it. The other way is to get some business cards printed, pop them into the letter boxes of farms and houses were you live. You could also try your local parish magazines.

You say in your question that you are not having much luck with word of mouth. Now I get most of my work that way but that only works when are getting good results. If you dont, then it can also work against you. You havent said how long you have been catching but it can take a long time to build a faithful list of customers. Just remember when you do go that extra mile for them then they will return the favour and stick with you.

Bryn