The (ex)terminator
By Globaltimes.cn, Published: 2015-04-14 14:46:00
Li Shusen, 66, prepares to catch rodents on May 18, 2015 in Fuxian county of Yan'an, Shaanxi Province. Working as a professional exterminator since he was a teenager, Li kills thousands of rodents every year. His services are popular with local farmers suffering from rodent infestations. Photo: CFP
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Li specializes in dealing with the Gansu zokor, a mole-like rodent that mainly feasts on the roots of crops. Gansu zokors largely populate the semi-arid Loess Plateau. Photo: CFP
Li sets up his handmade rodent traps on March 18, 2015 in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province. The traps are mini crossbows set up above a tunnel that shoot a spike downward when a rodent disturbs the soil underneath. Li often works during warm weather as zokors are rarely active on cold and rainy days. Photo: CFP Li works in a field on March 18, 2015 in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province. Li first checks the ground for swells on the soils surface from burrowing rodents underneath. "Just like snakes have paths, mice also have their own," said Li, "The first step is to spot their paths." According to Li, rodents usually dig more than one entrance, but he can identify which ones are the most used at a glance. Photo: CFP
Li checks for tracks in soil on March 18, 2015 in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province. Zokor hunting is difficult because they are sensitive to light and wind. But Li said his catching skills are more effective than any rat poison. "I began learning to catch rats when I was a teenager. At that time, lots were learning how to do it," Li recalled. "But now not many do this line of work. I am the only one in the county." Photo: CFP After finding a hole, Li first checks to see if the passage is unobstructed before setting up his traps. "These tools don't work in winter because the soil is frozen," Li said. "I am particularly busy in the spring when farmers start planting new crops and the rats begin reproducing." Photo: CFP Li sets an installed trap on March 18, 2015 in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province. Photo: CFP Li then covers the hole entrance with soil to confuse the rodent. Photo: CFP Li waits for his traps to be set off. Photo: CFP A zokor is caught in a trap on March 18, 2015 in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province. Photo: CFP The spike drives deeper as the zokor struggles. Photo: CFP Zokors rarely survive the deadly device. Photo: CFP A group of rats that were killed by Li. "Rats have very sharp senses of smell and hearing and are sensitive to weather changes," said Zhang Bo, a PhD candidate in animal ecology at the Shaanxi Normal University. "The rats are more active in spring looking for plant roots. They rarely emerge from the ground." Photo: CFP
Pictured is a plant destroyed by zokors. According to Zhang, the zokors extend their passages further underground to reach a plant's entire root system. This results not only in economic losses for local farmers, but also hinders greening projects. "We buy live zorkors every year from Li for research," said Zhang. Photo: CFP
Li washes his face after work on March 17, 2015 in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province. Photo: CFP Li holds a book containing his list of clients, which pay 30 yuan ($4.8) for each zokor captured this year. Li can catch up to 30 rats a day and earns some 70,000 yuan ($11,263) a year. As part of his work, Li also buries the dead zokors to fertilize plants. Photo: CFP Li (left) meets with some clients at his home on March 19, 2015 in Yan'an, Shaanxi Province. Farmers seek Li's services just ahead of sowing season. Photo: CFP Li sits while his wife prepares a meal at their home on March 17, 2015. "My wife is taking care of our orchard, my son works in a brickyard and my grandson is learning how to cut hair," said Li, "They are not willing to do be exterminators. They think it's too tiring." However, Li has an apprentice; 17-year-old Li Yi (no relation). "I caught two rats on my first try and I thought it was easy. But I found I was wrong later. Sometimes I wouldn't spot anything the whole day and I'd lose my confidence," said Li Yi, "Now I follow Li Shusen and am learning patience. Maybe I'll do this job my whole life." Photo: CFP