Mink - We need help !

6541

Hi All,

I live in Castlebar, Mayo. We have a beautiful lake that is the jewel in the crown of our wonderful town. The lake, Lough Lannagh is overrun with Mink. It is so bad I had one actually stand beside me whilst I was sitting on some rocks.
Does anyone know how I can get the ball rolling to eradicate this pest ?

Thanks,
6541

_Brian

NPWS might be a start.

But that’s just a guess.

kunekunesika

Start trapping. Any amount of trap types available to purchase or make.

corsav6

6541 wrote: »

Hi All,

I live in Castlebar, Mayo. We have a beautiful lake that is the jewel in the crown of our wonderful town. The lake, Lough Lannagh is overrun with Mink. It is so bad I had one actually stand beside me whilst I was sitting on some rocks.
Does anyone know how I can get the ball rolling to eradicate this pest ?

Thanks,
6541

I walk it daily and have yet to encounter a single mink. There are plenty of ducks and swans in and around the lake so it couldn't be that overrun.
Get a trap and set it up some evening and then check it the next morning.

6541

corsav6 wrote: »

I walk it daily and have yet to encounter a single mink. There are plenty of ducks and swans in and around the lake so it couldn't be that overrun.
Get a trap and set it up some evening and then check it the next morning.

If you are on Facebook check this out.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/298430163925800/permalink/1158234074612067

Birdnuts

6541 wrote: »

If you are on Facebook check this out.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/298430163925800/permalink/1158234074612067

Local GC's should be able to help out as there is a bounty on them atm via NARGC clubs

Eddie B

6541 wrote: »

Hi All,

I live in Castlebar, Mayo. We have a beautiful lake that is the jewel in the crown of our wonderful town. The lake, Lough Lannagh is overrun with Mink. It is so bad I had one actually stand beside me whilst I was sitting on some rocks.
Does anyone know how I can get the ball rolling to eradicate this pest ?

Thanks,
6541

Set up a volunteer group in the town to raise a bit of cash and buy a few traps. Give each volunteer a trap or two to set and check. Get a map of the lake and give volunteers specific area's to trap. Wont be long about getting numbers under control.

You really need to continue doing this yearly to have any real impact on numbers.

Just to add, not everyone will see this as beneficial to nature, and you may have some negative reaction to such a proposal, but don't let that deter you.

Eddie B

corsav6 wrote: »

I walk it daily and have yet to encounter a single mink. There are plenty of ducks and swans in and around the lake so it couldn't be that overrun.
Get a trap and set it up some evening and then check it the next morning.

I trap mink all the time, and seldom ever see one. They do leave some signs though, that they are present. Nighttime like many predators, is when they are most active