Brief History of the Mink in Britain.......

The American mink (Mustela vison), has joined the British fauna as a result of escapes and deliberate releases from mink farms where it has been bred for its fur since 1929. Breeding in the wild was confirmed in 1956, in Devon. Since then, the mink has shown that it is well adapted to life in the British countryside, and has become widespread. It is now found throughout most of mainland Britain, with the exception of northwest Scotland, the lake district and the greater part of Wales.

The mink is a medium-sized carnivore of the weasel family (mustelidae). A typical wild adult male will weigh about 1kg and measure about 60cm from nose to tip of tail.The female is much smaller,weighing only about 600g and measuring approx.50cm from nose to tip of tail. The colour varies from grey to silver and from chocolate to almost black, with all the darker ones having a white spot underneath the chin. The mink is a typical carnivore, well adapted to catch and kill the animals it needs for food. It is agile,strong and active and has sharp teeth and powerful jaws. It is a waterside animal found mainly near lakes and streams and sometimes on the seashore, for it hunts both on land and in the water.

The diet of the mink consists almost entirely of vertebrate animals, mainly fish, birds and mammals and will attack prey many times larger than itself. Mink can cause considerable damage to domestic stock such as chickens and ducks and can create havoc in commercial fisheries. It is for this reason that the mink is considered the most destructive non native species at loose in Britain today.

Fortunately, mink are readily caught in cage traps sited along the waterside and a great number can be accounted for with regular trapping programmes. The most popular baits for mink trapping are rabbit, liver, or pigeon breasts but any fish type bait like pilchards or kippers is equally as good.

To learn the art of successful mink trapping why not buy the brand new video that is now available? It contains all the information needed to become skilled in the traditional methods of mink control.

Buy the Book
If you'd like to purchase a copy of Steve Caple's book, Rural Pest Control, it is available by sending a cheque (made out to Countryman Pest Contol Ltd)  for £17.50 + £1.70 postage and packing (UK only) total £19.20 to: Steve Caple, Countryman Pest Control Ltd, 25 Eldean Road, Duston, Northampton, NN5 6RF, England, UK. Alternatively, you can Buy Now via Paypal here.

Or if you have an enquiry and need to talk to Steve, Telephone & Fax: 44 + (0)1604 756411 or e-mail: steve@countrymanpestcontrol.co.uk

NB: If you are outside the UK and want to order Steve's book, please contact Steve directly by any of the methods listed above and he will discuss and agree payment methods and postal charges with you.

Buy The Video - Trapping Techniques Part 1
The video covers the trapping of Moles, Squirrels, Rabbits and Mink. During the 1hr 15 minute programme professional pest controller, Steve Caple gives the viewer the benefit of his 30 years of experience in pest control.

The video is available by sending a cheque for £25 including VAT, postage and packing to: Breeze and Freeze, The Old Barn, Vicarage Farm, Brington Road, Flore, NN7 4NQ, Northants, UK.

Or call 01327 340401 or e-mail: ian@breezeandfreeze.co.uk.

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