The Guild of British Molecatchers  

                                                      "Providing welfare for Moles through

                                                                                awareness and control"

The Guild of British Molecatchers Code of Practice

All members operate mole control along the guidelines contained within this code of practice. They fully understand that changes may be made to this code under regulation or legislation from external sources and from changes made internally within the guild from information, research or decisions adopted by the guild members.

Why a code of practice?

Anyone undertaking any form of animal control must do so in a respectful and humane way, many practitioners of mole control fail to acknowledge such a need for this - often pressured by work loads, attitude or other commitments. The code of practice is a workable application for all those controlling moles by trap use - both amateur and professional . Many professional operators provide excellent service to their clients with full concern for the welfare towards the mole, some offer the service of mole removal but fail to operate to a standard that would enhance their service and better their working practice. The Guild recognizes the demands of modern life styles and business working and the economical strain placed upon individuals and companies. By accepting the code of practice all will benefit from adapting to a better application for working in mole control. This code is NOT a legal requirement but those agreeing to operate under such guidelines take their services and respect to their chosen quarry - the mole -to a higher level, a level that is acknowledged by the Guild and its supporters.

The Code of Practice

With all the changes being made to various regulations on animal welfare it is felt that it is important to also ensure that control undertaken for moles in the UK is provided with guidance to protect moles from detrimental practices and un-necessary suffering.

To achieve this it is important to consider the current methods used by operators and those traps available.

Products for mole control are readily available to both amateur and professional users with little or no instruction on present laws governing usage or welfare issues relating to the mole.

There are no specifications on the traps available in relation to strength of their operation and the way in which they capture and administer death to the mole.

In fact the period of time for death to a captured mole will vary in traps of the same design due to many influencing factors with the main consideration to the skill and experience of the operator.

It is not possible to warrant that everyone who takes a mole trap of any design for the removal of a mole is competent or proficient in its use or has had any form of training. A large majority of trap users are amateurs obtaining a mole trap from the shelves of retail outlets.

This code of practice is available to open viewing and it is hoped that householders will also abide by the guidance contained within and register their encouragement and become a supporter of the guild

Mole traps are divided into two categories – kill traps or live capture and the code is designed for guidance for those using both groups.  The Guild is opposed to the live trapping of moles for any other reason then research or media requirements when carried out by competent persons and full consideration for the welfare for the captive mole/s have been instigated.

A trap that is designed to take the life of a mole must be used in such a way that minimal suffering occurs prior to death and that the fatal outcome is as quick as possible. Any code of practice cannot determine the period for time of death following capture in a kill trap; this is again down to the skill of the operator and the consistency of the trap used. A code will lessen the possible suffering by providing a working routine for the operator. It will also provide a good working practice for those employing the use of live traps.

In all forms of control for any targeted species there is a requirement to carry this out in the most humane and respectful method with the minimal suffering and current laws either omit moles or present regulation is open to misuse following misinterpretation

Mole traps are classified under the Small ground vermin order 1958 along with those used for rodents such as mice and rats. Therefore their control also falls under this category, it is the regulation ministers are drawn to when addressing any issues or questions relating to moles.

This code of practice is not aimed at conflicting with any current regulation or legislation but to provide a guide to better trap use within the current directives.

For any code of practice to work it will need to be accepted that it is workable without causing any or further suffering, financial or employment loss to existing practices.

The code relies on the integrity of the members to accept the working within the code to better the service and welfare for moles whilst under control measures. It is felt that the policing will self regulate along with feedback from supporters and clients conversant to the code.

It is with these issues that the guild propose the code as follows.

 THE GUILD OF BRITISH MOLECATCHERS CODE OF PRACTICE

1, Before trapping begins make a thorough survey of the area of mole damage whether large or small to ascertain those that may be at possible risk from these works.

2, Consider the use of the areas and what type of trap would be beneficial and achieve the results to that location/s. Consideration to trap choice should be appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and possible interference from unauthorized persons.

3, Traps should always be used in accordance to correct procedures or as per the suppliers’ instructions. Only good quality traps in a good working order should be used.

4, Never leave traps exposed, care should be taken to ensure that they are covered to avoid accidentally injuring other non target species or third parties, natural materials should be used.

5, Traps should be inspected daily however where risk assessment identifies, some multiple visits maybe required, never fail to inspect traps regularly. A daily inspection of traps used will conform to the requirements to provide for a continued risk assessment of the area and reduce possible suffering and contravention of contents within the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

6, Always record the quantity of traps used and the locations

7, A site plan or location list could be made, by recording the sites of mole activity and location of moles caught enables an overall picture that maybe referred to at another time.

8, This record will also prevent the failure to retrieve all traps which if left in situ may become hazardous to other non target species or third parties.

9, Always respect the mole at all times.

A single mole may be placed in the household waste but a greater number are required to be destroyed by burning or deep burial away from any area that will allow possible waste, to enter into water courses etc.

10, Traps placed should only be in the locations for as long as necessary to achieve the control; no trap/s should be left if no mole activity is present

 In addition to this working code of practice

To respect the mole at all times

The mole is a British mammal and should be respected as that- although the current regulation on mole traps [the small ground vermin order 1958] indicates it is classified as a rodent -many may perceive this as the case. Many have a natural fear from rodents such as rats due to contamination. Moles are not pests in the same way as these or other rodents; moles are more of a nuisance.

When used kill traps will be checked for capture once daily -we repeat this advice

The kill trap is designed to take the life of the target species; however it is down to the skill of the trap operator by the correct setting and placing of the trap to ensure a quick dispatch. There are certain circumstances such as incorrect placement or tampering from third parties that may directly or indirectly interfere with the trap operation resulting in a mole caught possibly alive either by the fore limbs or in the result of the mole pushing soil into a trap site, from the cushioning of the trap operation by this soil and holding the mole around the body. Consideration by members to the welfare of the trapped animal endorses the need to check all operational traps daily.  There are no obligations to regularly check kill traps that are used for moles- which allows for suffering, disregard for the mole and reflection towards the working practices of some undertaking mole control.

When used live catch traps will be checked once within every 12 hour period

The problems with live traps are they enclose the mole in a stressful way. The mole may be trapped and physically no harm has occurred but the stress on the animal is immeasurable. Able to track back and forth within a cylinder seeking escape until release cannot be described as anything other then cruel. To minimize this suffering the period of time prior to inspection should realistically be further reduced to every few hours.

The whole issue of these live traps needs to be addressed to the continued supply of these live traps other than for research purposes. Is there a need for the live capture of moles under any other circumstances?  Moles have a very high metabolism and require high volumes of food to sustain their needs. Entrapped moles will in these stress situations burn high calorific values and will often die following prolonged periods of time under these conditions. Should a live caught mole be released following capture there are also other welfare issues to be addressed.

1.  Where will it be released?

2.  Is this new location acceptable to any third parties?

3. Will the habitat chosen for the moles release provide the necessary requirements for it to survive?

4.  Are there any other moles present in the location?

All the above are very relevant to the survival of a live trapped mole upon release, however the time factor between the point of capture and release is the vital question

The guild question the use of these live traps also under section 4 of the animal welfare act 2006 which makes it an offence for a person to allow or cause unnecessary suffering to any animal under his/her control or for which he/she is responsible, even temporarily.

A trapped mole would be covered by this act.

The current advice from Natural England on the use of these live traps is following capture any mole should be humanely dispatched which again asks the need to make available these traps for general use?

Only traps that are of a good quality should be used

The current trend for imported goods has provided many different types and styles of traps for mole use. These have arrived from all over the world and currently as there is NO required approval for mole traps many maybe found in the retail market. Please be very cautious to what you decide to purchase and use.

Many traps are also provided by UK retail and wholesale outlets that are manufactured in other parts of the world. These are made to the design of existing traps used but often are constructed from different grades of materials. This may result in improper operation from their very construction or by corrosion of parts.

The guild identifies the need for a standard for all existing and new traps for mole control in relation to construction and materials.

All traps should be inspected prior to use for correct operation or damage.

This inspection should be made for all traps used for mole control – both kill traps and live traps. Damage to a trap in transport or from a strike from another object can and will obstruct possible full operation of the trap resulting in possible injury and sustained death.

 Under commercial control all operators using traps should hold public liability insurance.

An obvious but often neglected option is adequate public liability insurance. There are currently insurance policies available from various insurers for controlling moles with trap use. Members of the Guild of British Molecatchers controlling moles commercially are required to hold public liability insurance. The Guild also advises that persons employing some one for mole control ensure that the  mole controller/s are adequately insured for the purpose of catching moles with trap use. Ask to see printed proof if necessary.

Any live caught mole should be quickly and humanely dispatched

The dispatching of any live caught mole should be made immediately upon discovery and this is an easy task to complete, providing the operator is proficient in what they are doing with any kill trap that has inadvertently caught a mole alive.

Those engaging the use of live capture traps, the dispatching can be more difficult as the mole must be released from the trap prior to its dispatching. How a mole released from a live trap is dispatched can only be deduced upon as the animal must be removed and then be running freely prior to any fatal blow if that is the accepted form of dispatch. It is an offence to beat, stab, impale, crush, drown or asphyxiate any wild mammal -  so just how a freed mole is to be dispatched within the laws is another consideration.

 Prior to trap placement a risk assessment should be made

It is necessary to consider the possible dangers from soil borne diseases and contamination to the operator from animal excreta.

There is the need to ensure that non target species are not placed in any possible risk from the placing of mole trap/s in the location.

The operator must also consider the danger from items below the ground such as cables, pipes, and sharp objects. Also the need to consider soil borne organisms

Copyright © 2008 The Guild of British Molecatchers
Last modified: 06/06/10