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Attending Training

Wildlife control operators (WCOs) and pest control operators (PCOs) attend training events to improve their skills and to maintain their licenses. PCOs preparing to attend a training event.

PCOs preparing to attend a training event.

But as one who has attended many training events both as an attendee and as a presenter, I have a few tips to help attendees make the most of their time.

First, come with an open mind. Sure you may know a lot on a particular subject be it bedbugs or raccoons. Maybe you know more than the person giving the training. But regardless, you should take the time to either refresh your awareness of the fundamentals and you should be open to learning a new techniques because sometimes even the less experienced can offer something of value to the more experienced.

Second, bring a notebook. I am regularly surprised at how rare it is for attendees to bring notebooks. But don’t just bring any notebook, bring a notebook that will become used in the future for reference. I suggest getting a notebook, and using the first few pages as a table of contents. Then regularly add to the material as you attend various meetings. Over time, you can cross reference material so that you can find that bait suggestion for a species you normally don’t deal with. I have done this and found it helpful in reminding of things learned but long-ago forgotten.

Third, bring business cards. I think this is a no-brainer but frequently neglected. Training is about networking not just filling your brain with new knowledge. Sometimes who you know is more important than what you know. Meeting new people, even competitors can be quite helpful in improving your business. Who knows you may need that competitor to help you work on that “monster job” or help you lobby legislators to stop animal rights legislation.

Bottom line. Attending trainings may not be the highlight of your week, but a little preparation can make the experience more informative, profitable and maybe even a little more enjoyable.

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}. 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 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.

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Euthanasia & Carcass Disposal

Surface carcass disposal is one, albeit a rare option, for disposing of animal carcasses. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel
Surface carcass disposal is one, albeit a rare option, for disposing of animal carcasses. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel

I recently gave a talk entitled, “Euthanasia & Carcass Disposal: Tips and Pitfalls” at the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) 2018 Pestworld in Orlando Florida on Friday, October 26. It was a tough time for a presentation as it was right after lunch (1:00 pm) and on the last day of the conference. Plus, let’s just say that animal euthanasia & carcass disposal are not the most riveting and profit making topics for a pest control operator (PCO) or wildlife control operator (WCO) to attend.

But I was grateful for the opportunity. I was honored that the NPMA chose me to present on this important and controversial topic. The fact is, unlike bugs, the public cares deeply about how vertebrate animals are killed and disposed of. Even if the animal is a pest, the public cares. I explained to the approximately 32 people in attendance, that failure to have proper animal handling protocols in place can put your business in a public relations nightmare. Not all publicity is good publicity.

Attendees learned the distinction between euthanasia and humane dispatch and why that distinction matters. Likewise, I spoke on why translocation is not necessarily a humane way to handle nuisance wildlife. I ended the presentation discussing various ways to dispose of animal carcasses. I described methods that would work in either rural or urban settings, and sometimes both.

If you would like to see the Powerpoint, visit my Academia.edu site and download the pdf.

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}. 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 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.

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Add a Signature

Wildlife control operators (WCOs) have trouble with marketing. Though more people are beginning to distinguish WCOs from their insect-killing cousins (Pest Control Operators), the fact is WCOs remain in the shadow of the larger pest control industry.

Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC Logo
Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC Logo

In light of those challenges, one would think that WCOs would be looking to take advantage of every opportunity to market their services. But in my experience, they don’t. One of the least expensive ways to market  a business that WCOs don’t use is the e-mail signature.

Signatures are standard blocks of text that are placed by the e-mail program at the bottom of every e-mail prior to being sent. Once you set one up, the text is automatically placed. Failure to add a signature results in a lost opportunity to let people know what you do and how to contact you. So why not add a signature to your e-mail account so that when you write future e-mails you don’t loose the marketing opportunity it provides.

About the Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a Certified Wildlife Control Operator (CWCP®) who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. He has written the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition. Reach him at wildlifecontrolconsultant at gmail dot 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.

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The Limits of Quality

The Limits of Quality

Customers are Ignoring You
Customers may not want exceptional and costly service (Photo credit: ronploof)

What are the limits of quality? Do people always buy the best? How important is being the best in garnering sales? Robert Cappos wrote an intriguing article entitled “The Good Enuf Rvltn” in the September 2009 issue of Wired Magazine (pp. 110-119). He tells a story about a company called “Pure Digital” which made a very inexpensive digital camera. The photos were good enough that Pure Digital sold 3 million of them. Cappos argued that while high quality is great, it often isn’t necessary to satisfy customer wants. Customers will frequently take a less expensive option provided the service or product is “good enough.” Therefore, companies that spend inordinate time producing high quality products actually over satisfy clients at best and hurt profitability at worst.

Over-Servicing Clients

I wondered how many wildlife control operators (WCOs) suffered from the same challenge with their own businesses. Some WCOs argue that pest control operators (PCOs; those that primarily handle insects) will never be able to compete with WCOs that deal with vertebrates. The argument goes that customers will want the company that provides better service(s). The problem with this argument is that it assumes clients want and will pay for the “better service” and that they would be able to recognize the better company. Both assumptions are highly questionable. The fact is customers frequently want and are satisfied with “good enough.”

Good Enough Service

Now some readers may think that I am recommending companies provide poor quality service. Nothing could be further from the truth. My point is simply that you may serve your customers just as well by providing A- service rather than spending a lot of energy trying to give A+ service. The bottom line is you want to fulfill the needs of your clients. You don’t help anyone by providing services that they don’t want. If the client can’t appreciate the value of an additional service then your spending excessive energy and resources on that service is detracting from the profitability of your business.

You either need to eliminate that service extra or educate your client on its value.

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}. 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 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.

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Rodenticides Restrictions a Boon for WCOs and PCOs

Rodenticide Restrictions a Boon for WCOs and PCOs

The EPA enacted rodenticide restrictions following a long review. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has decided to restrict the public’s access to second generation anticoagulants (brodifacoum, difethialone, bromadiolone, or difenacoum).  The reason for the change stemmed from concerns over public safety and the hazards second-generation anticoagulants posed to non-target animals.  Unlike first generation anticoagulants, second generation anticoagulants are more toxic (requiring a rodent to feed only once to achieve a lethal dose) and more persistent in that predators and scavengers that feed on poisoned rodents can have dangerous build up of toxicant levels in their own system.

A photo of a sales wall showing various rodent control products
The EPA regulates rodenticides to protect the public and the environment.

Final Risk Mitigation Decision for Ten Rodenticides

The EPA summarized its ruling in a page entitled “Final Risk Mitigation Decision for Ten Rodenticides” found at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/rodenticides/finalriskdecision.htm lists the key restrictions as follows:

“Consumer Size” Products (Products containing ≤ 1 pound of bait)

  • May not contain brodifacoum, difethialone, bromadiolone, or difenacoum (the second-generation anticoagulants).
  • Loose bait forms such as pellets are prohibited.
  • Each retail unit must include a bait station.
  • Bait refills may be sold with bait stations in a single retail unit.
  • All outdoor above ground use must be in a bait station and be applied within 50 feet of buildings.'”

What This EPA Regulation Means for WCOs and PCOs

The bottom line is that homeowners will no longer have access to the faster acting second generation toxicants as of June 2011. Therefore, I predict that customers will be more likely to hire professional rodent control services because:

  • they will become impatient with the slower acting (but still effective) first generation toxicants.
  • the added cost of buying baits protected with bait stations will reduce the gap between over-the-counter products and professional services,
  • the culture of just putting out poison will slowly change as more people will appreciate the role of exclusion and habitat modification (which many will hire out.)

Business Action Plan for WCOs and PCOs

While no one knows the future for certain, I suggest that

  1. WCOs get their pesticide license as soon as possible to enable them to have access to the second generation anticoagulants.
  2. PCOs and WCOs enhance their knowledge of trapping and exclusion control methods in preparation for marketing non-toxic approaches to rodent control.

I suggest that those companies able to seize the toxicant-free and low-toxicant control market will do well in the new regulatory environment.

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}. 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 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.

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