Meet John Sykes - Huddersfield's very own Mole Hunter

Feb 16 2010 by Nick Lavigueur, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE MOLE HUNTER

MOLE trapper John Sykes has never been busier.

The former landscape gardener is out from dawn until dusk seven days-a-week trying to root out the elusive underground vermin.

John started his unusual business when some of his clients had their gardens destroyed.

Just two years later his “Mole Patrol” service is now covering hundreds of acres of Yorkshire and Lancashire farm land.

His business, Colne Valley Pest Control, is also employed by Kirklees Council and numerous sports clubs and hotels.

And he said an “epidemic” of moles this winter meant he was having to trap as many as 300 per week.

“It’s getting more and more of a problem,” he said.

“Moles are causing so much grief for landowners at the moment.

“When most animals are hibernating the moles are at their most active.

“They’re constantly digging and feeding and the cold winter has driven their food source deeper down so they’re digging more.”