Featured Archives - Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC

June 3, 2019 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Plague (Yersinia pestis)

Plague, scientific name Yersinia pestis, is a bacterial infection that can kill its victims in a few days. You are probably more familiar with the word used in the phrase “The Black Plague” that struck Europe in the 13th-15th centuries. While you may think the plague is a just a disease of the Middle Ages, plague continues to threaten animal and human health here in the United States.

Plague first appeared in the United States in San Francisco in 1900. From there it spread to rats and California ground squirrels.

Oriental flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) associated with plague transmission. — Oriental flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) associated with plague (Yersinia pestis) transmission. Photo: Ken Gage/CDC.

While fleas were suspected in transmitting plague as early as 1898, it wasn’t proven until William Glen Liston demonstrated that fleas spread plague in 1905. Fleas spread plague by biting an infected victim, obtain the bacteria, then transmit that bacteria onto uninfected victims upon biting them. Although plague can be spread by coughing (called pneumonic plague), this transmission method is not as common.

Today, plague has spread across the west as far as the Missouri River. Fortunately, plague only affects a few people each year in the United States. While that is good news, its rarity also means that those who get infected may not think they have plague and delay receiving life-saving treatment.

So, if you live in plague country (the western half of the United States, here are a few facts to reduce your risk of contracting this lethal disease.

Avoid areas with populations of rats, ground squirrels and prairie dogs.
Understand that even if you don’t enter those areas, your cat or dog may bring the fleas to you. In fact, cats are a significant source of plague infections in the U.S. (this is one reason to keep your cat indoors).
Be aware that you live in plague country. If you develop symptoms such as fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, and fatigue, consider the possibility that you have plague. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Lymph nodes near the exposure site become enlarged, typically the groin, armpits, or neck.
Symptoms appear two to six days following the exposure.
Plague can be contracted by handling wild animals such as when hunting, trapping, or during the fur handling process. It is a good practice to kill fleas before handling carcasses. Wear protective gloves as infection can occur through exposure to contaminated animal tissues.
House cat is a common source of fleas that cause plague (Yersinia pestis) .
Advise your doctor of your activities as he/she may not automatically think of plague when you relate your symptoms. Learn about getting prepared for zoonotics if you work with wildlife.

Follow the above steps/principles and the likelihood of your contracting plague will be extremely low.

If you wish to have additional information visit https://www.cdc.gov/plague/index.html or read Abbott, R.C. and Rocke, T.E. 2012. Plague. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1372. 79p.

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 (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel) along with several books (https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/store-2/). Listen to his podcast at PestGeek Podcast (https://pestgeekpodcast.com/). 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 wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. 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.

April 1, 2019 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Bats and the Law

I occasionally receive calls from people looking for ways to handle bats. They often tell me that they “know” that bats are protected and cannot be handled. So, they are looking for ways to evict the bats from their homes while following the law. I asked one caller where he heard this and he said the “internet.” It’s incredible that such bad information exists in cyberspace so I thought I would provide a brief summary of bats and the law to help clarify things for wildlife control operators (WCOs), pest control operators (PCOs) and the general public.

Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) is an endangered species. Photo: USFWS.

The first fact about wildlife law is that the vast majority of wildlife law is governed at the state rather than federal level. Federal law on wildlife is, for the most part, restricted to threatened and endangered species (T & E), migratory birds https://www.fws.gov/birds/policies-and-regulations/laws-legislations/migratory-bird-treaty-act.php , and ocean mammals https://www.fws.gov/international/laws-treaties-agreements/us-conservation-laws/. Presently, 12 bats https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/pub/SpeciesReport.do?groups=A&listingType=L&mapstatus=1 are listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The majority, if not all of these bats, are not typically found in structures. But if they are, contact USFWS immediately.

Since states have the primary role in governing the handling of wildlife, it should come as little surprise that state wildlife agencies (typically named Fish and Wildlife, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Game Commission, etc.) must establish regulations covering bats and other wildlife.

States classify wildlife into two major categories, Game Animals and Non-game Animals. Game animals is a legal classification for those species that are hunted, fished, and trapped. Sub-categories of game animals include big game (deer, elk, etc.), small game (rabbits, tree squirrels, etc.), furbearers (mink, muskrat, etc.). Most people learn about state wildlife agencies as the place where hunting, fishing and trapping licenses are obtained. Licenses are granted for the taking (i.e. capture and killing) of game animals.

The other major classification is non-game animals. These are animals that are not hunted such as voles, chipmunks, garter snakes, and a host of other animals. Now what is confusing for people is that non-game animals may be protected or unprotected. For example, in Montana, prairie dogs are a non-game animal, but they are not protected. Landowners can shoot them at will. Woodpeckers, being a migratory bird, are non-game but they are protected. You cannot harm them without a federal and in some cases a state permit.

How are bats classified? Bats are non-game animals. But depending on your state, bats may be protected or unprotected. Since the occurrence of white-nose syndrome (https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/), an increasing number of states mandate that any type of structural exclusion of bat (the process of getting bats out of your house) must be performed outside of the “blackout dates.” Blackout dates are typically between May and August. States prohibit the exclusion of bats during this period to prevent the possibility of killing juvenile bats during the exclusion process. Owners may evict bats from their buildings but only outside the blackout period. Likewise, these states may prohibit the arbitrary killing of bats. Other states, however, do not protect bats. While these states would like you to use proper exclusion practices that evict but don’t kill bats, they can’t force you because the regulations do not require it. For the record, I recommend following NWCOA’s Bat Standards (http://nwcoa.com of which I am instructor).

To learn where your state stands on bat control, contact the non-game biologist and ask what the regulations in your state demand. Individuals wanting to know what the regulations are must contact representatives of that agency, typically a non-game biologist or game warden, for that information. A list of state wildlife agency websites can be found here https://www.fws.gov/offices/statelinks.html.

September 7, 2018 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Science Denier?

“You’re a science denier!” is a slur frequently touted against those who state that they doubt that climate change is human caused. The slur has strong emotional appeal because it suggests that the person accused is failing to appreciate the mountain of evidence and therefore must be someone who is still living in a fantasy land of Santa Claus and Elves. The slur has powerful effects because it shuts down conversation, debate, and shoves the accused into the intellectual equivalent of a ghetto. Presumably, the accusers hope that the “time out” and social ostracism experienced by the accused will help bring the accused to their intellectual senses and then ultimately join the community of the enlightened.

This blog entry, however, is not about climate change and its real or alleged causes. Instead, it deals with a different issue, namely hunting grizzly bears. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined that grizzly bears have reached populations high enough to sustain regulated hunting https://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/es/grizzlyBear.php. Most people would be glad that the majestic grizzly bear species (Ursus arctos horribilis) has recovered enough to justify harvest. With so much bad environmental news around, it would seem that bear recovery would be grounds for rejoicing.

Unfortunately, that is not what happened. Self-identified environmental groups sued the USFWS decision and according to https://www.heraldandnews.com/news/local_news/judge-temporarily-blocks-hunt-of-yellowstone-grizzlies/article_f133334e-9a1f-5117-af55-f61213261d62.html a judge has blocked the hunt in Yellowstone, at least temporarily.

Now the question I have is this. How is it that if one denies that climate change is caused by human actions, one is labelled a “science denier” yet if one opposes a grizzly bear hunt then that person is called an “environmentalist”. How is it that scientists can “know” the causes behind something as complex as climate but other scientists are unable to adequately determine if there are enough grizzly bears to sustain hunting? Does it really seem reasonable that knowledge of one is easier to determine than the other?

Of course not. But in our age of spin, disinformation, and truth as perspective only, there are no objective truths. Just power, feelings, and perspectivalism. It seems now that science has succumbed because the scientists who quickly will accuse others of being science deniers seem to be quite silent about the denial of science in regards to grizzly bear populations.

June 7, 2018 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Frightening Devices

Frightening Devices Defined

Frightening devices are pieces of equipment that attempt to get unwanted wildlife to leave an area through the use of fear. Fear invoking product can only be categorized as a frightening device if it causes fear by non-chemical means. For if chemical means are used, then the product would be a repellent and likely governed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The owl effigy is perhaps the most famous and well known frightening device. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel.

There are a myriad of products marketed as frightening devices available to consumers. The reason why there are so many is due to their perceived humanness. The device doesn’t “harm” the animals, it only scares them and sends them on their way to another place. Another reason consumers buy them is because they are relatively cheap and easy to use. Just install and the device does all the work. In contrast trapping, requires you to set the trap, bait it, and check it on a regular basis. Then if an animal is caught, you have to “do” something with it, such as kill it, release it, or more likely drive it down the road and dump it so the animal becomes someone else’s problem or dies in an unfamiliar environment.

Do Frightening Devices Work?

Frightening devices do work, at least for the short term. This quick effectiveness helps continue the story that they work all the time. Unfortunately, as a general rule, frightening devices only work for a few weeks. After that time, animals quickly learn that the device does not pose a real threat. The ability of animals to become accustomed and ultimately ignore frightening devices is called habituation. Just like we can learn to ignore a persistent noise, animals too can learn that a frightening device is nothing to be frightened of.

How quickly animals learn to ignore a frightening device depends on several factors including, how desirable the site is, the personality of the animal/species, the novelty and/or severity of the frightening device, time of year etc. You may wonder what my opinion is of frightening devices. Well, I have a pretty negative view of them as a rule. Most fail to fulfil client expectations. The one’s that don’t often will irritate the client, neighbors, or are so time intensive or expensive that they are not feasible.

Bottom Line

Understand that frightening devices are an important tool. But be aware of their limitations and don’t allow yourself to be oversold on their use.

June 1, 2018 by Stephen M. Vantassel

5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a WCO

While I give tips on how to handle your own animal damage problems, there are times when you just want to hire a wildlife control operator (WCO). The problem is you don’t want to hire a bad one. Since Spring is upon us, I thought it might help my visitors evaluate contractors to find the best WCO. That is why I am giving you 5 questions to ask before hiring a WCO to handle your wildlife problem.

WCO (Wildlife Control Operator). Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

Before we get to the questions, you need to understand the difference between pest controller operators (PCO) and WCO, also known as Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) also known as Problem Animal Controllers (PAC). A PCO is someone who handles bugs through the use of poison. A WCO is someone who handles vertebrate pests (animals with a backbone) with traps, exclusion etc. PCOs are licensed through their state’s Dept. of Food and Agriculture or Department of Agriculture. WCOs, if their state licenses them at all, will be regulated usually by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or Department of Natural Resources.

Obviously, the first thing you should do is to look for a WCO (Wildlife Control Operator) to handle your wildlife problem and not a (PCO) Pest Control Operator. Once you know what you are looking for you should ask the following 5 questions before hiring a WCO.

1. Ask how many years have you been a WCO? This question is not to be confused with how many years in the PCO (Pest Control Operator) business. Bug killing is very different from controlling wildlife. Too many PCOs start doing WCO work with little to no trapping or wildlife experience.

2. Are you licensed? Is the contractor licensed to do animal damage control work in the state you live in? While some states don’t require licenses, many do. Ask if the person has completed a state certified trapping course. While most trapping courses teach fur trapping (not nuisance work), going through the training gives at least information about state laws.

3. Do you carry liability insurance? A surprising number do not.

4. Can you send me a copy of the contract? Does the WCO provide a clear contract along with an explanation of what services he/she will and will not provide?

5. Ask if the WCO is a member of the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA). Membership doesn’t prove competence, but it does show a certain level of commitment to the industry. Don’t just take their word for it. Contact the Association at NWCOA.com to see if the person is a member. Full disclosure, I am the Western Director for the Association.

These aren’t the only questions that you should ask, but they are an important start. You want your wildlife problem resolved inexpensively but also properly. Don’t let the stress of wildlife problems force you to make a bad hiring decision.

Plague (Yersinia pestis)

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Bats and the Law

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Science Denier?

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Frightening Devices

Frightening Devices Defined

Do Frightening Devices Work?

Bottom Line

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5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a WCO

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