By Meg Jorsh

Last updated at 12:23, Wednesday, 14 January 2009

As garden pests go, they don’t come much cuter. But a population explosion has made mountains out of molehills all over Cumbria.

Mark Nugent sets a trap

• Video: Mark Nugent explains how to trap a mole

For farmers and gardeners, the humble mole can mean diseased livestock, unusable silage and ruined lawns.

Digging 20 metres of tunnels every day, they can even destroy crops by disturbing roots and drying out soil.

But for at least two men, the mole boom has created a new livelihood.

Since poisoning moles with strychnine became illegal in August 2006, landowners have come to rely on traditional molecatchers like Mark Nugent and Mike Telford.

Mark, 42, from Currock, Carlisle, said: “Moles are absolutely amazing creatures and yes, they are cute.

“A lot of people have never seen one; their only connection with them is through the Wind In The Willows.”

Trained as an engineer, Mark has plenty of respect for his four-legged foes, and doesn’t take trapping them lightly. But since strychnine was outlawed, the creatures are thriving as never before – with potentially dangerous consequences.

Mole tunnels can cause the ground to collapse, leaving holes that cause havoc for children and horses.

Mike, 48, from Longtown, Carlisle, added: “I’ve been on a lot of jobs where folks have spent hundreds of pounds trying to repel the moles.

“They’ve tried everything, but if it’s good ground and good feeding, they’re going to be there all the time.”

The two men ply their trade using the age-old methods of underground traps, digging and plenty of patience. The rounded traps are placed into tunnels and activate when a mole steps inside, killing it instantly.

“We’ve got a couple of tricks of our own, mind – we’re not letting them go,” said Mike.

Traditionally, the freshly-caught ‘mowdies’ are hung in rows from fences so that landowners can count them. Payment is then made by the mole, adjusted according to the difficulty of the job.

“With some jobs, you’ve got to put down 400 traps and they’ve got to be checked every day,” he added. “It can be clarty work as well.”

But with a growing client base of farms, parish councils and public amenities – including Carlisle racecourse – the job is becoming increasingly lucrative.

Today’s molecatchers carry out full safety assessments before starting work, and even use GPS systems to remember trap locations.

And Mark has advice for anyone who needs help with their little diggers.

“They really want to be careful about who they get in – and make sure they have public liability insurance,” he said.

For more information and a list of registered molecatchers, visit www.britishmolecatchers.co.uk.

Mike is available for pest control work, contact Border Pest Control on 07786 023 584 or 01228 791949 (nights).

First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk