Ep 22. Leech Trapper

In this episode of Dirty Jobs, host Mike Rowe travels to rural Louisiana to try his hand at leech trapping. Mike teams up with a seasoned leech trapper named Todd and together they set out into the swamps to collect leeches for medical use.

Mike quickly learns that leech trapping requires a great deal of skill and patience. The leeches live in the murky waters of the swamp and are attracted to warm-blooded creatures, so Todd and Mike have to be careful not to get too close to any alligators or snakes.

Todd shows Mike how to set up the traps – small mesh bags filled with chicken liver – and they place them in strategic locations in the swamp. The traps are left overnight and checked the next day.

When they return to the traps, Mike and Todd are excited to find several leeches caught in the mesh bags. They carefully remove the leeches and place them into a container for transport to their buyer.

Mike and Todd take the leeches to a lab where they are cleaned, sorted, and counted. The leeches are then sold to doctors and researchers for use in medicines and for bloodletting procedures.

Mike also learns that leech trapping is a sustainable industry, as most of the leeches sold for medical use are raised on leech farms. However, there is still a demand for wild-caught leeches, which can fetch a higher price.

Throughout the episode, Mike is impressed by Todd's expertise in leech trapping and his knowledge of the swamp and its wildlife. He also learns about the unique ecosystem of the Louisiana swamps and the importance of preserving it.

As always, Mike is unafraid to get his hands dirty and tries his best to keep up with Todd's pace. He also provides his trademark humor and commentary, making the episode both informative and entertaining.

Overall, the Leech Trapper episode of Dirty Jobs is a fascinating look into an unusual and often-overlooked industry. Viewers will learn about the history and use of leeches in medicine and gain a new appreciation for the skill and ingenuity of leech trappers like Todd.