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October 10, 2020 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Scientific Review Article

It’s likely that you are not familiar with the term scientific review article, let alone having read one recently. But scientific review articles are incredibly valuable for those who are interested in the topic the review article is discussing. Scientists frequently publish the results of their research. Biologists, scientists also publish the results of their research. The volume of material can be overwhelming. For example, let’s say you wanted to learn everything you could about deer fences. Go to Google Scholar and type in deer fences. I just did and came up with over 56,000 hits. Who has time to read all that? Even if you did, should you spend that much time?

cover page of a scientific review article
Cover page of a scientific review article on deer fences.

Enter the scientific review article. The scientific review article is essentially the Cliff Notes of scientific research. The researchers perform a wide literature review (meaning they look up all the articles they can on a given subject) and then summarize the findings of that research. Voila, hundreds of pages of technical, sometimes hard to access material, is distilled into a readable and apprehensible form. The article cover page at the right is a scientific review article on deer fences written by some of the leading researchers on deer management in the United States.

Why should you care as a wildlife control operator or a pest control operator that performs wildlife control? You should care because the only way you are going to outpace the competition is if you know something they do not know. The only way you are going to learn something is to discover it yourself, or to learn it from someone else, say a research biologist. I have used deer fences as an example, but there are review documents on all sorts of subjects including animal life history and control methods. These review articles are chock full with great information that is ready to use. Check them out.

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.

Filed Under: Publications Tagged With: journal article, research, scientific review article, Stephen M. Vantassel, wildlife control

January 20, 2020 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Free Information

Free information. Who doesn’t love the sound of free be it free stuff, free service or free information. Politicians love to use the word free even though everyone should know that the government never does anything for free. But is information ever really free?

Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd Ed. Cover by Stephen M. Vantassel
Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd Ed. Cover by Stephen M. Vantassel

Is There Free Information?

I once had an argument with a wildlife control operator (WCO) who claimed that the information I provided is available for free. Therefore, if I understood him correctly, by charging for the information I was in effect ripping people off. I snidely responded to him by saying, and I paraphrase, “Information is free if you have the time to look, have access to the right resources, find the right relevant resources, correctly understand those resources and apply the information to found in those resources, then yes, information is free.”

Need for Context

My point is simply just because you have access to Google does not mean that you have access to the right information or that your internet search has revealed the right information. Lots of information on Google or the net, is simply wrong or more frequently out of balance or context. Google searches frequently don’t provide context for information, not because there is something wrong with the search but because people rarely read enough to understand how the information fits into the bigger picture.

You may have heard the phrase, “A little knowledge is dangerous.” It’s a true statement because when you only have a little information, you often think you know more than you actually do and that arrogance can lead to some very dangerous conclusions.

Consultation Fees

When you pay for a consultation with Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC you are paying for

  • Access to information you likely don’t have available
  • Ability to synthesize information in an understandable and usable way
  • Time to search and acquire information which allows you to spend your time in more profitable activities

Bottom Line

Can you search for information on your own? Certainly. My books and articles are available, many for no additional cost, to those wishing to read them. The internet also has lots of information both good and bad if you want to take the time to surf. But if you have better things to do with your time, then perhaps a consult with Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC is worth the price for you.

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.

Filed Under: Training Tagged With: articles, consultation, free, free information, information, journals, research, training, wildlife control

October 21, 2019 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Wildlife Control Research

Difficulty in Finding Wildlife Control Research

Because wildlife control is a relatively new field, locating wildlife control research is not as simple a task as it is for other scientific disciplines. The reason for this difficulty lies in the complexity of wildlife damage.

Cover page of the Information resources for animal control and wildlife damage management article.
An article to help the public obtain quality wildlife control research information.

Wildlife do not respect boundaries, political or legal. Wildlife damage occurs in a variety of locations, contexts, economic classes, environments, etc. As such, the wildlife control operator (WCO) who seeks wildlife control research has to think of whether the information being sought will be found in architectural, biological, environmental, or legal literature. For wildlife control issues can occur in all of the aforementioned areas.

A Resource for Obtaining Quality Research on Wildlife Control

Fortunately, as of October 18, 2019, a new publication is available to assist WCOs in finding quality wildlife control research. The publication citation is

Vantassel, S.M., M.W. Fall and S. Lariviére. 2019. Information Resources for Animal Control and Wildlife Damage Management. Wildlife Damage Management Technical Series. USDA, APHIS, WS National Wildlife Research Center. Fort Collins, Colorado. 20p.

It is just another publication in the Wildlife Damage Management Technical Series which looks to replace very dated Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage (1994 edition). The article is available as a free download from https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/reports/Wildlife%20Damage%20Management%20Technical%20Series/Information%20Resources%20for%20Wildlife%20Damage%20Management_WDM%20Technical%20Series.pdf 

How the Article Aids Research

The article helps researchers by listing recommended books, articles, journals, trade magazines, websites, and associations useful in obtaining quality wildlife control research information. If you want to see what resources are recommended to expand your knowledge of wildlife control then you will want to download this article. If knowledge is power, this article is the road map to finding that knowledge.

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.

Filed Under: Publications Tagged With: research, research tips, Stephen M. Vantassel, wildlife control research

September 3, 2019 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Do Pigeon Droppings Corrode Limestone?

Do pigeon droppings corrode limestone buildings? You would think this question has been definitively solved, but it appears that at least by 2004, it hasn’t. No one doubts that pigeon (Columba livia) excrement is not only visually disgusting but also a potential source of disease and allergens. But it was unclear as to whether pigeon droppings corrode limestone, a common stone used in historic buildings.

Pigeon Dropping Research

Picture of pigeon droppings splattered on sidewalk.
Pigeon (Columba livia) droppings on a concrete sidewalk.

An article by Miguel Gomez-Heras, David Benavente, Monica Alvarez de Buergo and Rafael Fort entitled, “Soluble salt minerals from pigeon droppings as potential contributors to the decay of stone based Cultural Heritage” published in the European Journal of Mineralogy (16:505-509) looked at whether accumulated pigeon droppings could be a source of salts and low pH that could damage limestone.

They investigated piles of pigeon droppings that were almost 12 inches deep that were not exposed to rain. Their samples included both dry and fresh droppings. They used the samples in two different tests. Test one sought to determine the droppings’ insoluble inorganic solids and salt content. The second test looked at the pH of the feces when mixed with water. They then used some of the liquid/material from the second test to apply to blocks of highly porous micritic limestone so that they could see what damage, if any occurred to the limestone.

Pigeon Droppings Corrode Limestone

Researchers found that when water mixes with pigeon droppings, the resulting liquid is not only acidic but very salty. These findings, say the researchers, contradict that of other researchers who argued that pigeon droppings had limited negative effects on building stones. The article’s authors contend that pigeon droppings are in fact a significant source of salts capable of damaging historical buildings as well as diminishing their visual beauty. What is interesting from the article was how salts and the crystals associated with them broke limestone grains thereby damaging the limestone’s integrity.

Bottom Line

Keep pigeon droppings away from limestone because the droppings will degrade the limestone.

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.

Filed Under: birds, Feces Tagged With: acid, columba livia, damage, droppings, feces, limestone, pigeons, research, salt, Stephen M. Vantassel

October 7, 2011 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a serious disease contracted from inhaling or coming into physical contact with droppings and rodents contaminated with the virus. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is more commonly known as simply “hantavirus.” No matter what you call hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, any disease with a 38% death rate for those infected, should be scary enough to get everyone’s attention. The typical source are mice in the class called Peromyscus, which includes white-footed mice and deer mice.

Logo of the Centers for Disease Control and Pr...
CDC provides quality information on diseases of concern to public health such as Hantavirus. Image via Wikipedia

Don’t be Paranoid Get Educated

The challenge in getting information on zoonotic diseases is to find information that is both accurate and readable. Thankfully, the good people at the Centers for Disease Control have created a booklet on the subject.

Download your pdf at http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/pdf/HPS_Brochure.pdf . You will be glad you did.

Video on Hantavirus: Preventing Hantavirus Zoonotic Respiratory Infection Transmitted By Mice And Rats. | Pest Geek Pest Control Podcast (pestgeekpodcast.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.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: rodents, zoonotic Tagged With: animal rights, animal rights protest industry, CDC, Centers for Disease Control, certified wildlife control professional, disease, Hantavirus, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, research, rodents, Stephen M. Vantassel, wildlife, wildlife control, wildlife damage, wildlife damage management, zoonotic diseases, zoonotics

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  • Home
  • About Stephen M. Vantassel
    • Research Topics
    • Publications
      • Being Kind to Animal Pests rev. ed.
      • A Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats
      • Vertebrate Pest Handbook 2nd Ed
      • Wildlife Pest Control Handbook
      • Wildlife Removal Handbook
    • Media Kit
    • Sermons by Stephen M. Vantassel
    • Contact
  • Store
    • A Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats
    • Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook 3rd edition
    • Rodent Inspection Tool
    • Vertebrate Pest Handbook 2nd Ed
    • Wildlife Pest Control Handbook
    • Wildlife Removal Handbook
    • Being Kind to Animal Pests rev. ed.
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    • Challenges to the Macro Identification of Wildlife Scat and Feces
    • Living the Wild Life Podcast Shows
    • Glossary
    • Training Presentations
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