Wildlife Pro Network
The Wildlife Pro Network is, as the title suggests, a social-networking community of wildlife damage maangement professionals and those interested or related to the industry. The site was started by Robb Russell, webmaster and web site designer who is also a wildlife damage management professional himself.
I am writing about this group for a couple of reasons. First, Mr. Russell's vision helps improve the professionalism of the industry by fostering communication and the exchange of ideas and techniques. The fact is wildlife damage management is still a relatively young profession when compared with traditional pest control. Where pest control typically uses chemicals, wildlife damage professionals must use mechanical means, such as traps, catchpoles, one-way doors etc. to control wildlife. The diversity of skills needed to be effective at wildlife damage management is truly immense as one needs to know about building design, animal behavior, ladder safety, bio-hazard safety, baiting, trapping, and light carpentry, not to mention all the customer relations experience.
The second reason for discussing the Wildlife Pro Network is that Mr. Russell has asked the Internet Center for Wildlife Daamge Management to participate in podcasts on various issues relating to the industry. The last podcast we did covered raccoon latrine cleanup. We are presently working on an industry protocol for such clean up, which we hope will protect consumers and professionals who do this kind of important but dangerous work.
In conclusion, if you are a wildlife damage management professional, I suggest you join the Wildlife Pro Network. It can only help your business. If you are not a professional, then be glad that Mr. Russell has started it because its existence raises the chances that the wildlife control company you hire will have the knowledge needed to do the job right.
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Raccoon Latrine Cleanup Protocols
The wildlife control industry is still in its relative infancy. While many advances have occurred in techniques and professionalism, much more needs to be done. One area that needs standards to be created is the clean up of raccoon latrines. Raccoons are the definitive host of a roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, that has injured and/or killed 11 children. Now that is not a high number, when compared to automobiles. However, for the parents of those individuals it is a devastating and preventable loss.
When homeowners hear about the threat latrines pose to them, they understandably wish to have them removed. The problem is that removal has the potential for exposing and/or contaminating more areas to roundworm eggs (which have an incredible survival rate). What would help is to standardize the clean up practices so that workers and homeowners can be protected.
The Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management has decided to draft such a document. We have created one presently and are asking for input and critique to improve it. We hope that the wildlife control industry will enventually adopt a protocol, perhaps ours once it is ready for primetime.
If you are interested in helping us review the protocol, just drop me a line at svantassel@unl.edu
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
The wildlife control industry is still in its relative infancy. While many advances have occurred in techniques and professionalism, much more needs to be done. One area that needs standards to be created is the clean up of raccoon latrines. Raccoons are the definitive host of a roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, that has injured and/or killed 11 children. Now that is not a high number, when compared to automobiles. However, for the parents of those individuals it is a devastating and preventable loss.
When homeowners hear about the threat latrines pose to them, they understandably wish to have them removed. The problem is that removal has the potential for exposing and/or contaminating more areas to roundworm eggs (which have an incredible survival rate). What would help is to standardize the clean up practices so that workers and homeowners can be protected.
The Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management has decided to draft such a document. We have created one presently and are asking for input and critique to improve it. We hope that the wildlife control industry will enventually adopt a protocol, perhaps ours once it is ready for primetime.
If you are interested in helping us review the protocol, just drop me a line at svantassel@unl.edu
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Disease Emergence and Resurgence: The Wildlife-Human Connection
Zoonotics, diseases in wildlife that are transmittable to humans, is a vast field full of technicalities. Nevertheless, the topic is an important one not only for wildlife control professionals but also for those wanting to learn more about the wildlife-human disease interface. According to one calculation, 832 or 49% of all 1,709 known pathogens, are zoonotic. If we consider the 156 diseases that are designated as "emerging", 114 are zoonotic. (Friend, 2006). This kind of statistic reminds us that while wildlife is beautiful and its presence enriches our lives; wildlife is also a threat to our survival.
In 2006, the United States Geological Service published Disease Emergence and Resurgence: The Wildlife-Human Connection by Milton Friend. This document, while 400 pages long, presents the various issues surrounding zoonotics in as popular a writing style as the content will permit. In lucid writing, filled with numerous illustrations and side bars, Friend explains why the public should be concerned about zoonotics. The text provides a call for greater funding to support what is termed, "One Health", a term that says that wildlife health plays a vital role in protecting the health of humans and livestock. Friend says that humans must fund improved surveillance programs so that disease outbreaks can be discovered quickly so that they can be treated quickly. One need only consider Avian Influenza or H1N1 (mistakenly called the Swine Flu) to recognize how important early detection and response is to protect the health of the larger society.
If you think that is a lot, note that I have only touched on the content of chapter 1. The book has so much more to say, of which I will touch on in future blogs. You don't have to wait for me though, as you can download the book for free at USGS Zoonotics.
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
Zoonotics, diseases in wildlife that are transmittable to humans, is a vast field full of technicalities. Nevertheless, the topic is an important one not only for wildlife control professionals but also for those wanting to learn more about the wildlife-human disease interface. According to one calculation, 832 or 49% of all 1,709 known pathogens, are zoonotic. If we consider the 156 diseases that are designated as "emerging", 114 are zoonotic. (Friend, 2006). This kind of statistic reminds us that while wildlife is beautiful and its presence enriches our lives; wildlife is also a threat to our survival.
In 2006, the United States Geological Service published Disease Emergence and Resurgence: The Wildlife-Human Connection by Milton Friend. This document, while 400 pages long, presents the various issues surrounding zoonotics in as popular a writing style as the content will permit. In lucid writing, filled with numerous illustrations and side bars, Friend explains why the public should be concerned about zoonotics. The text provides a call for greater funding to support what is termed, "One Health", a term that says that wildlife health plays a vital role in protecting the health of humans and livestock. Friend says that humans must fund improved surveillance programs so that disease outbreaks can be discovered quickly so that they can be treated quickly. One need only consider Avian Influenza or H1N1 (mistakenly called the Swine Flu) to recognize how important early detection and response is to protect the health of the larger society.
If you think that is a lot, note that I have only touched on the content of chapter 1. The book has so much more to say, of which I will touch on in future blogs. You don't have to wait for me though, as you can download the book for free at USGS Zoonotics.
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
Monday, February 08, 2010
Being Safe with Cage Traps
Lots of homeowners use cage traps and box traps (mistakenly called live traps) to capture nuisance wildlife. While cage trapping is not difficult, most non-professionals neglect to protect themselves from potential injury and disease transmission that can occur during the trap's use. When instructing the public about wildlife control, I am always amazed at the reaction I get when I tell them about the need for proper safety equipment. I usually describe the scene as follows, "All of you certainly wear gloves when handling cage traps right?" Of course, I know that they haven't. I then say, "After all, where does the trapped animal go to the bathroom?" Once they recognize how foolish it is to handle cage traps without gloves, I am pretty confident that they don't make that mistake again.
So let's briefly mention what safety precautions should be taken when cage trapping. First, wear good quality leather gloves. Never handle a cage trap without them. Cage traps have sharp edges that can easily scratch you. Remember, dirt can contain the bacteria that causes tetanus (a.k.a. lockjaw). Scratch yourself with the dirty cage can expose you to this disease. Don't be too confident about your vaccination. If you are like most people, you can't remember the last time you had a booster. The standard (always check with your doctor though) is a booster every 10 years, and sooner if you have a particularly bad exposure (i.e. dirty nail puncture).
Second, protect yourself from being scratched or bitten. Just because the animal is in the cage, doesn't mean that the squirrel or raccoon can't bite or scratch you. Some traps are safer in this regard than others. For example, a trap with 1x1/2 inch weave mesh provides greater protection than one with a 1x1 inch weave. This is not to say the 1x1 inch weave makes the trap bad, it is just something to consider when purchasing and using it. Check the handle and handle guard. Does the handle provide enough room for your hand to keep it away from the cage? Is the handle guard wide enough (5x6 inches is good) to protect your hand from the claws of the caged animal.
There are other issues to consider, but these give you a start. To learn more visit
Being Safe with Cage Traps
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
Lots of homeowners use cage traps and box traps (mistakenly called live traps) to capture nuisance wildlife. While cage trapping is not difficult, most non-professionals neglect to protect themselves from potential injury and disease transmission that can occur during the trap's use. When instructing the public about wildlife control, I am always amazed at the reaction I get when I tell them about the need for proper safety equipment. I usually describe the scene as follows, "All of you certainly wear gloves when handling cage traps right?" Of course, I know that they haven't. I then say, "After all, where does the trapped animal go to the bathroom?" Once they recognize how foolish it is to handle cage traps without gloves, I am pretty confident that they don't make that mistake again.
So let's briefly mention what safety precautions should be taken when cage trapping. First, wear good quality leather gloves. Never handle a cage trap without them. Cage traps have sharp edges that can easily scratch you. Remember, dirt can contain the bacteria that causes tetanus (a.k.a. lockjaw). Scratch yourself with the dirty cage can expose you to this disease. Don't be too confident about your vaccination. If you are like most people, you can't remember the last time you had a booster. The standard (always check with your doctor though) is a booster every 10 years, and sooner if you have a particularly bad exposure (i.e. dirty nail puncture).
Second, protect yourself from being scratched or bitten. Just because the animal is in the cage, doesn't mean that the squirrel or raccoon can't bite or scratch you. Some traps are safer in this regard than others. For example, a trap with 1x1/2 inch weave mesh provides greater protection than one with a 1x1 inch weave. This is not to say the 1x1 inch weave makes the trap bad, it is just something to consider when purchasing and using it. Check the handle and handle guard. Does the handle provide enough room for your hand to keep it away from the cage? Is the handle guard wide enough (5x6 inches is good) to protect your hand from the claws of the caged animal.
There are other issues to consider, but these give you a start. To learn more visit
Being Safe with Cage Traps
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
Monday, February 01, 2010
Getting Your Service Business Listed on ICWDM.org
As webmaster for the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, I receive a number of requests from nuisance wildlife control operators to have their businesses listed. I am happy to do it. But there are a few requirements in place that must be met before a company can be listed.
First, the ICWDM has two categories of businesses, service vendors and product vendors. This blog will only address the service vendors.
If you have a wildlife control company that you would like listed, then send me your FULL contact information. That means, name, business name, mailing address with zip code, e-mail address, and phone number.
As one can see from our site, we only list name, town, state, and phone number, so you will have some privacy. We do not recommend listing toll free numbers as it may encourage harassment calls from animal rights activists.
The next step you must take is to sign up for our free newsletter. To subscribe send an e-mail message to: LISTSERV@UNL.EDU
In the Message Field (NOT Subject line) type in: SUBSCRIBE ICWDM
That is it. I will be automatically notified that you have subscribed.
Please note that the e-mail you include in your full contact information must match the e-mail listed in the sign up. Otherwise, I won't know you have signed up.
Unfortunately, most businesses get waylaid by this requirement. Perhaps they are fearful of spam. Let me assure you that the ICWDM does NOT spam. Presently our newsletter is quarterly. So at most you might get 6 e-mails a year from me.
Beside marketing our newsletter, the purpose of the listserv is to keep track of businesses. So many people enter and leave the NWCO business that I needed a way to keep track so I don't get complaints from visitors that so and so company's phone number no longer works. If the e-mail you have provided bounces, we drop your name from the website. So it is critical that if you change e-mails or don't empty your inbox on at least a quarterly basis, you will be dropped. We do not necessarily notify businesses that they have been dropped.
Sometimes, NWCOs would like to have a link to their website included in their listing. We are happy to do this for 75.00 a year. We would make your name or phone number a hyperlink to the site. Display ads begin at 150 dollars/year.
Last year our site received 1.5 million visitors. So we think listing with us will bring value to any business.
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
As webmaster for the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, I receive a number of requests from nuisance wildlife control operators to have their businesses listed. I am happy to do it. But there are a few requirements in place that must be met before a company can be listed.
First, the ICWDM has two categories of businesses, service vendors and product vendors. This blog will only address the service vendors.
If you have a wildlife control company that you would like listed, then send me your FULL contact information. That means, name, business name, mailing address with zip code, e-mail address, and phone number.
As one can see from our site, we only list name, town, state, and phone number, so you will have some privacy. We do not recommend listing toll free numbers as it may encourage harassment calls from animal rights activists.
The next step you must take is to sign up for our free newsletter. To subscribe send an e-mail message to: LISTSERV@UNL.EDU
In the Message Field (NOT Subject line) type in: SUBSCRIBE ICWDM
That is it. I will be automatically notified that you have subscribed.
Please note that the e-mail you include in your full contact information must match the e-mail listed in the sign up. Otherwise, I won't know you have signed up.
Unfortunately, most businesses get waylaid by this requirement. Perhaps they are fearful of spam. Let me assure you that the ICWDM does NOT spam. Presently our newsletter is quarterly. So at most you might get 6 e-mails a year from me.
Beside marketing our newsletter, the purpose of the listserv is to keep track of businesses. So many people enter and leave the NWCO business that I needed a way to keep track so I don't get complaints from visitors that so and so company's phone number no longer works. If the e-mail you have provided bounces, we drop your name from the website. So it is critical that if you change e-mails or don't empty your inbox on at least a quarterly basis, you will be dropped. We do not necessarily notify businesses that they have been dropped.
Sometimes, NWCOs would like to have a link to their website included in their listing. We are happy to do this for 75.00 a year. We would make your name or phone number a hyperlink to the site. Display ads begin at 150 dollars/year.
Last year our site received 1.5 million visitors. So we think listing with us will bring value to any business.
Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP
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