Moles aplenty

[bullmastiff 615]

I've been busy out getting more permission around my area and a lot of them were Horse breeders.

Everyone I asked readily agreed to let me hunt the Rabbits and Pigeons but they all asked the same question, "Can you do moles as well?" and after a quick walk around there fields it's easy to see the problem, they seem infested with them. I was honest and explained that I usually stick to only the edible varieties of vermin or the types the dogs can sort out and that's why I do it for free.

But it's got me thinking, having found a 'gap' in the market around here (although there are a several pest controllers?) is it worth me investing in some traps and trying to charge for the service? or are they just after the service for free?

So I have a few questions if you wouldn't mind? I'll be as honest as possible, that way I'll hopefully get some honest advice.

 

The first and most obvious question, is it even worth me offering to start trapping the moles?

I currently do not own ANY mole traps so would have to go out and purchase them, I'm not a licenced pest controller and I guess would have to set up my own businessso so I could give an invoice legally?

Also, although I used to be a Keeper and used traps on the shoot, I'm not an experienced trapper so the results would obviously be sub standard when compared to a professinal.

 

Would I be able to charge them for it, even if I didn't own my own business? I have been told by a friend that you can run a 'business' for a year before declaring it to the tax man? true or not I don't know.

Although I know I can't earn a fortune from it, I've pulled the belt in as much as the next man so don't want to offer a service for free if I could make a pound or two from it.

 

Supposing I could charge (and if their willing to pay!), would it be per mole, a fixed price or for running a trap line over the entire farm over a set period? and how much should I be looking at?

 

Or should I just forget the whole thing and just give a tip/hint to a profesional that their's work to be had?

 

Thank you for taking the time to read all this,

 

All the Best,

 

Luke.

Edited January 23, 2010 by bullmastiff

[Matt 160]

I'm not sure where you get the idea that you can trade for a year without telling HMRC, but it's not true.

 

Before you consider trapping professionally, there are a few basic things you need. The first, and most important, is insurance. If a horse trips on a mole trap, it could cost thousands, and you, as the person who set the trap would be liable.

 

Secondly, although you've done some trapping, you would need to be confident that you could catch enough moles to make it worthwhile. If you've never done any mole trapping before, that is something which is going to be difficult. While we all had to start somewhere, the time to learn is not when you really need the business.

 

You should also look carefully at the local competition (I'm in your area!), and carefully consider if the demand is going to be there for you. Mole trappers seem to be 10 a penny at the moment, and several of the 'franchise' type pest control businesses seem to be pushing hard for mole work.

 

Getting some sport for yourself by offering some free vermin control is fine, but doing it for 'reward' is a different prospect altogether. If you decide to go ahead (I'm not frightened of more competition), feel free to drop me a PM, and I'll happily tell you what kind of money I charge.

 

Personally, if I was just after some sport, I'd pass the work onto someone else who is experienced and geared up to do the work.