My latest podcast discusses the real worth behind wildlife control certifications.
Truth about Wildlife Control Certifications
NWCOA’s Rodent Standards Course
The National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) began offering a Rodent Standards Course in 2020. The Rodent Standards Course debuted at the 2020 Wildlife Expo in Las Vegas. It was a huge hit and it was hoped that the Association would offer the in-person training again in 2020. Unfortunately, the Corona virus and the demand for sequestration and prohibition of travel forced the Association to change plans.
Fortunately, NWCOA decided to offer the training via a webinar on April 7, 2020. The NWCOA Rodent Standards Certified training course is an 8-class that covers commensal rodent biology, damage identification, rodenticides, disease safety, repellents, trapping and exclusion. Unlike other training courses which only focus on house mice, Norway rats and roof rats, NWCOA’s Rodent Standards course includes training on controlling Peromyscus spp. (e.g. deer mice and white-footed mice) and voles. Thus, NWCOA’s training moves beyond rodent control in urban settings (though Peromyscus spp. occurs in more urban areas than people or pest control operators realize), into suburban and exurban areas.
The course is particularly strong in pesticide-free control methods. Attendees are taught how to combine trapping and exclusion to reduce and in some cases eliminate the need for rodenticides and other toxicants.
I was honored to give the talk on Rodenticides and the Law. My talk focused on the legal status of rodents, the importance of reading and following the label and how to use toxicants in ways that improves environmental safety while not reducing control.
Attendees must achieve an 80% score on a 50 question exam in order to become certified. If you would like to know more about this superb training course, contact the National Wildlife Control Operators Association at NWCOA.com.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.
ACE Exam
The Entomological Society of America (ESA) has two certifications for individuals looking to show their expertise in insects and/or their control. The BCE or Board Certified Entomologist is for those with a degree in entomology. The ACE, Associate Certified Entomologist, is for those involved with pest control but lack the degree. Both certifications require certain professional qualifications as well as passing a proctored exam. The ACE Exam has a reputation for difficulty. If memory serves, the pass rate is a staggeringly low, 38%.
I took the ACE Exam on Friday afternoon on February 15, 2019. Before I tell you how well I did, let me explain how the journey began. I am not an entomologist and my experience in the bug side of pest control is extremely limited. So I began my quest to be certified with several strikes against me. I am not a field practitioner in insect control and my desire to study for objective (i.e. true/false and multiple choice) exams is low. Nevertheless, I wanted to expand my horizons and possibly job opportunities so I figured getting an ACE certification wouldn’t hurt.
Preparation for the ACE Exam
I purchased the ACE Study Book, The IPM Guide to Urban Pest Control. The ESA recommends reading other books to prepare for the exam, such as the NPMA’s Field Guide to Structural Pests and Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Control. Fortunately, I already owned the latest editions of both. I read the Truman’s book, last year but didn’t get serious till about late November of 2018.
I asked for some help from colleagues and did some online searching. I received some materials. I also read the ACE Study Book. As important as those things were, I needed some help chunking volume of data. Fortunately, Sylvia Kenmuir, formerly of Target-Specialty, allowed me into her 10 week prep course. That was a godsend. It helped me get a foothold on the volume of material as well as learn strategies to study and take the test. I recommend her training to anyone serious about passing the ACE Exam. She recommends purchasing the NPMA’s Field Guide Phone App. It is cheaper than the book and provides enough information for what you need for the course. I had that too.
I also took the preparation tests offered by Practical Entomology, LLC. This site offers two tests, one study test that provides explanations for the answers and show your weak areas and another longer test to see if you improved.
Overall, I estimate that I studied about 60 hours or more for the test. The ESA recommends 40 hours of study. I made flash cards (stack was about 5 inches high) and reviewed, reviewed, and reviewed. Let’s say that Christmas break wasn’t as festive as I would have liked.
The ACE Exam
The test is as hard as they say. You have three hours to answer 150 questions. The questions are divided up into 5 sections. Once you submit a section, there is no going back to review even if you have time left over. That alone cost me at least one correct answer because one question in a later section answered the question I didn’t know in an earlier and now irretrievable earlier section.
Despite all the studying I did, I was amazed at how many questions I couldn’t answer. Many had me asking myself, “Where was this information? I never saw this before.” As can be expected with any objective test, there were questions that I thought were too tricky to be fair. As one who has written several objective exams, I know how hard it is to write good ones. So I can’t complain too much as there were also a lot of questions that I thought were too easy, even for a pest control novice like me.
I finished the test in about an hour. I say that not to boast. I am a fast reader (two masters degrees). I answered fast because either I saw the answer or I didn’t. Staring at it any longer really wouldn’t have helped me. Maybe that would be different for other people who had a deeper set of knowledge in the field. Before I hit the final submit button, I actually thought I had failed. There were so many questions I didn’t know the answer to, some that I don’t know where the information for the answer could be found, that I was coming to grips with failure. Then the answer came back, I passed. I was stunned. Did I really get 113 questions out of 150 correct for a 75% pass? Well the screen said I did better than that. Still a little shocked. I’m awaiting official notification, so my passing is still “tentative”.
Bottom Line
What should you do? Hard to say. I felt like much of my study time was misplaced, if by misplaced we mean getting ready for the test. So much of what I learned wasn’t tested by the test. So I am a little conflicted by how to advise others to prepare. It makes me feel like the old marketing claim, “I waste 80% of my advertising dollars. Unfortunately, I don’t know which 80% is being wasted.” So my studying felt wasted but clearly it wasn’t. I passed. So my advise is to immerse yourself into the material. Memorize, memorize, review, to the point where you can describe the insects and concepts without being prompted. Master the material. Know the ACE Study Book inside and out. Read beyond it. Take the Prep Course. If for nothing else, the Practical Entomology tests help you deal with the type of questions if not the actual content. That is part of the battle. The questions make you think differently about what you know and what you think you know. Note I received “deals” on both the prep course and the preparation exams. But neither knew I was going to include them on a blog. I didn’t know myself until I received a request about my experience with the test.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.NWCOA Bat Standards Instructor
NWCOA Bat Standards Instructor
Bat infestations in structures are one of the most expensive wildlife issues a homeowner can confront. The National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) has developed standards that certified bat specialists must follow when addressing bat complaints. The standards cover everything from the type of warranty that may be given, inspection report, equipment choice, disease issues, and more.
With concerns over White-nose Syndrome and the danger it poses to bat populations, these bat standards also encompass equipment cleaning requirements so that wildlife control operators (WCO) don’t contaminate multiple colonies.
I had the privilege be tapped to be an instructor for the Bat Standards. Let me take this opportunity to suggest that homeowners hire NWCOA Bat Standards Certified WCOs to handle their bat complaints.
About the Author
Stephen M. Vantassel is a certified wildlife control operator who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. His latest books are the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition and The Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats. He can be contacted at wildlifecontrolconsultant at gmail dot com.
If you would like your publication, video, or product reviewed, please contact the author at the e-mail above.
Copyright
All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.
The National Wildlife Control Training Program
History on the National Wildlife Control Training Program
For those of you not familiar with this project, let me provide a little background. Regrettably, most states lack even rudimentary training requirements for the licensing of wildlife control operators (WCO). Part of the reason for this situation is the dearth of training materials and the fact that state wildlife agencies, already underfunded and overworked, don’t have the resources to create a program let alone administer it. Our program seeks to correct that. We have created a training program designed to provide beginning WCOs the fundamentals of the trade.
We will provide this training in multiple ways, including print (book forthcoming in January, 2011), online (January 2011) and in person if states desire that. This training will also be open to businesses wishing to train new workers.
Description of the National Wildlife Control Training Program
The training consists of two main parts. First is the core modules. Core modules are what we believe every WCO should know regardless of where they live. It’s written in a manner that makes it suitable for WCOs regardless of their respective state laws.
Part 2 consists of species modules. Each species module will address the biology, damage, and control methods related to that particular species. We anticipate that states or individuals can select which species they want to learn about. This allows individuals to learn about species that they are allowed to control.
The exam at the end will cover the modules that were selected.
In addition, states that wish to work with us, can edit the species modules so that only those techniques permitted in their state are discussed. Biology and range information can also be adjusted to reflect the specific facts in that respective state. These state specific training materials can then be printed and/or provided on-line. States won’t have to bear the costs of hosting or modification of materials as the user can bear the full price. What is that price? We don’t know at the moment because we are still preparing the document for publication. But we anticipate the on-line training (which will have additional training resources than what can be provided by the book) to be less than 200 dollars which will include the cost of the exam. Of course, advanced training modules will be provided in the future. If you are interested in providing advanced training, please contact me. We want to work with you.
Outline of the National Wildlife Control Training Program
Here is an outline of the National Wildlife Control Training Program
Part 1 WCO Core Training Modules
- Principles of Wildlife Damage Management – Introduction to principles, definition of concepts, best practices concepts,.
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Physical Safety – The section on physical safety (like ladder safety) and expand on details related to working in the field dealing with animal capture and certain control techniques.
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Wildlife Diseases – We discuss personal safety, personal protection equipment, common diseases, and the meaning and problems of zoonotic diseases.
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Site Inspection – The process and theory of on-site investigation of wildlife damage complaints.
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Overview of wildlife control methods – The overview of control methods prepares technicians for the control techniques they fill find in the species specific information.
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Animal Handling—Treatment and capture of free-ranging and trapped animals. .
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Euthanasia & Carcass Disposal—Killing methods and options for the disposition of carcasses.
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Business Practices – Overview of standard business practices. This is NOT a how to run you business.
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Legal and Ethical Issues – The importance of following federal, state and local laws. Demonstration of values, business and personal ethics, the ethical treatment of wildlife (animals in general) in the media.
PART 2 Species Modules
Raccoon
Skunk
Bat
Beaver
Squirrels
Etc.
Update
August 22, 2020. Unfortunately, I am no longer associated with this publication. But I was a primary author who helped write this training manual. In addition, the training is no longer certified by the National Wildlife Control Operators Association. That relationship ended, I believe in 2018. NWCOA hired Stephen M. Vantassel to create its own wildlife control operator training course. The manual of which should be published later in 2020. Update: Unfortunately as of 2-13-2021, the National Wildlife Control Operators Association still hasn’t published its training manual.
Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.
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