Controlling American Mink in the UK

Controlling American Mink is an essential part of predator control in the UK to protect penned game & poultry, fish, waterfowl, frogs and water voles.

American Mink were an accidental addition to the British fauna in the 20th century. It was the result of animals escaping from fur farms in quite a few different regions.  But since 2000 fur-farming has been prohibited in the UK (since 2002 in Scotland).

Mink were first shown to be breeding in the wild in Britain in the late 1950s. Subsequently, the species has spread along watercourses and along rocky coastlines into almost all of lowland Britain.  Mink are now relatively common.

Mink are trapped by gamekeepers, poultry keepers and fishery managers across the UK.

Biology of the American Mink

Before controlling mink it is useful to know their biology and habits so that you can take steps to control them effectively.

Male mink begin to roam around looking for females to mate with between January and March. By February or March females have often been mated and will be carrying up to ten young. By late spring, females are likely to have dependent young established in a chosen den.

During summer mink are often found in family groups which are frequently active during the day. Mink are territorial and once young have matured, they will generally be forced out of the den to find their own territory. This usually occurs between July and November. The peak time is August-September.

Mink mark their territories with distinctive scats in a similar way to otters. This, along with footprints, can be a good way to establish mink presence.

A mink will generally occupy a territory of between 1km and 6km of river and associated dry land. Mink are opportunistic feeders and carnivores. Mink are also curious and will instinctively investigate unusual holes, tunnels or objects.

Trapping

Trapping is the legally acceptable and most effective way of controlling mink. Two kinds of trap are allowed by law.

Live capture traps (cage traps):

• Single catch Mink Trap
• Double catch Mink Trap

And spring traps (killing traps):

• WCS Tube Trap
• Bodygrip 116 Trap
• DOC 200 Spring Trap

Cage traps are recommended as they are less indiscriminate than killing traps and they reduce the deaths of non-target species. But

Guidelines for Mink Trapping

• Set traps where mink are most likely to encounter them. Inlets/outlets for ponds and lakes; where drains, hedges or fence lines meet watercourses.
• On or near notable bankside features such as weirs, willow pollards, fallen logs or bridges.
• On islands, including artificial rafts
• Avoid placing traps in the open, particularly beside public footpaths
• Avoid placing traps where they can be knocked or interfered with
• Ensure a trap is above potential rises in water level.

Mink are curious

Create a dark and interesting hole will encourage mink to investigate, and ensure any stress suffered by the animal is minimised.

Make sure the trap is set on even ground so that movement of a trapped animal cannot knock the trap into water or onto its side. Pegging down traps with simple metal pegs is recommended.

Traps can be partially dug into the ground if you require extra stability. An unstable trap will deter mink from entering.

Cover traps in dry grass/hay – any creature caught can pull this through the mesh to make a bed. Alternatively wedge the trap between logs, or heap it over with sticks, driftwood, stones or similar (ensuring these do not interfere with the operation of the trap).

The provision of bait (e.g. fish flavoured cat food, fish) can increase the attraction for mink, but mink prefer their prey alive or fresh. Baiting of well-located traps is often not necessary, as mink are intensely curious, and bait can even deter animals from entering.

Once the trap is set it must be checked daily – this is a legal requirement

Ideally traps should be checked twice a day to release any animals which were not a target. Non-target species (e.g. otter, water vole, birds etc) should be released immediately.

Once a mink has been caught, it is illegal to release it back into the wild, or keep it captive without a license. The only acceptable way to dispatch captured mink is a clean shot through the head.