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Pest Geek Podcast

One of the key benefits of the smartphone lies in its ability to open up a world of educational opportunities for their owners. If you are like me, you have a lot of alone time during the day where you are doing some easy task that doesn’t require a lot of mental energy. This means you have mental energy to do something else. Rather than listen to some silly song on the radio, why not put that time to good use by expanding your education? Podcasts are a great way to do that. I am proud to announce that I am one of the regular contributors to the Pest Geek Podcast. The Pest Geek Podcast is about all things related to pest control.

Pest Geek Podcast
Pest Geek Podcast

My podcast, “Living the Wildlife”, publishes once a week. I cover topics related to wildlife control, also known as vertebrate pest control or animal damage control. If you are interested in expanding your business into the wildlife control field or just want to hone your skills on wildlife control or insect control, then let me invite you to try a few episodes of the Pest Geek Podcast.

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 along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. 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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Wildlife Expo Myrtle Beach 2019

Want to make more money? Want to decrease your liability risks while increasing the quality of your service? How about learning from some of the best wildlife control operators in the United States? If you answered, “yes”, to any of these questions, then you should plan to attend the Wildlife Expo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, February 4-9, 2019. 

Training session at NWCOA's Wildlife Expo.
Training session at NWCOA’s Wildlife Expo.

The Wildlife Expo is the annual trade conference sponsored run by the National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA, pronounced NEW-Koh-Ah). NWCOA is a professional association dedicated to training, organizing and enhancing the growing trade known as wildlife control.
Training classes follow two main subject lines. One line covers the control side of the WCO business. Tips on handling birds, trapping, tools, repairs, etc. fall under this category. The other line, focusses on business issues, such as marketing, legal, insurance, etc. The two lines are run concurrently. So, in (almost) each session, you will have a choice of a business-related subject or a control related subject. Take for example the 11:30 am -12:30 pm session on Friday, February 8. One class is entitled, “Increasing Customer Happiness and Your Revenue Through Exclusion” while the other is “When It’s Time to Grow Your Business.”

Attendees regularly remark how the Wildlife Expo helped them increase business revenue. But education is not all. Networking is a key element of the event. Attendees can meet key industry vendors, learn about new products and tools. Of course, I haven’t mentioned the importance of networking. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having personal connections. Need personalized advice on a particular problem you are having in your business? I doubt you can call your competitor. But what about a colleague in another state that you met at the Expo? What would be the economic value of that kind of “service.”

Want to learn more? Visit http://nwcoa.com/we2019.html That link will take you to the full-color brochure as well as the registration page. If you write out the pros and cons, I am confident that the pros will win out in spades. So why not sign up today?

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 along with several books (http://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel). He is a sought after speaker and trainer. 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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NWCOA Training in Minnesota & Alabama

National Wildlife Control Operators Association

Presents two training events in Minnesota & Alabama.

September Midwest Regional Wildlife

Control Training Event 

Wood Lake Nature Center

6710 Lake Shore Dr.

Richfield, MN 55423

Pesticide recert credits in Cat A&P awarded by MN Dept. of Agriculture.** National Wildlife Control Operators Association NWCOA

National Wildlife Control Operators Association NWCOA

**Both Bat and WCOTC training courses must be attended to earn pest re-cert credits.

Bat Standards Certified Training

September 21, 2018 – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

This NWCOA certification course is designed to aid in the survival of bats in North America, as well as educate those who perform bat exclusion services in residential and commercial structures. Upon completion of this course and successful passing of a test, the WCO will become NWCOA Bat Standards Compliant, receive a certificate and have use of the logo.

The Bat Standards Certified Course (Part 1) covers bat biology (little brown, big brown, free-tailed, and pallid bats), bat behavior, bat identification, bat morphology, service agreement language for bat removal and guano removal, seasonal restrictions, inspection techniques, equipment, safety, detailed exclusion techniques, job pricing, decontamination techniques, rabies, bat handling, updated white-nose syndrome information, and much more.

**This class is a prerequisite to the Bat Standards Certified, Part 2 being offered in Minneapolis in Spring 2019!

$175 members/$250 non-members

NWCOA Wildlife Control Operator

Training Course

September 22 & 23, 2018   8:30 am – 5:00 pm 

NWCOA brings this two-day certification course to Minnesota to train new and current WCOs that perform wildlife management services in or on residential and commercial properties. Upon completion of this course and successful passing of a test, the WCO will become a NWCOA Certified Wildlife Control Operator, receive a certificate of completion, and use of the logo.

The name of this course has recently been changed! It was previously known as the Basic Wildlife Control Operator Training Course, but since it is anything but basic, we dropped that word! This course provides a broad overview of the animals commonly managed by WCOs and is taught by practitioners who share insightful solutions to many of the challenges our industry faces everyday!

$300 members/$400 non-members

NWCOA Presentation of Bird Barrier
Certified Installer Course
September 24, 2018 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Birds cause millions of dollars of damage to homes, commercial properties, government buildings and industrial facilities each year. The Bird Barrier certification training course will help you determine which bird control product is suited for solving any bird problem and how to install that product on your client’s property. Upon completion of this course and successful passing of a test, the WCO will become a Bird Barrier Certified Installer and receive a certificate.

The Bird Barrier certification training course will provide an introduction to bird control, bird biology and habits and talk about bird pressure. The class will discuss how to choose bird control products, and how to sell them to your customers. Finally, we will do hands-on mini installs on several products.

 

$175 members/$250 non-members

Registration Now Open! Visit nwcoa.com to register!

Registration brochure

NWCOA® Shooting in Sensitive

Environments Level 1 & 2

Birmingham, AL

October 15-16,2018

A unique opportunity to take one or both courses!

Designed to train new and current WCOs, the courses provide classroom instruction with hands-on shooting range experience. Professional instructors provide intensive training in shooting accuracy, special safety considerations and effectiveness in shooting in non-traditional shooting locations. Participants will experience high level training in ballistics, shot choice and placement, and overal firearm use suitable for wildlife damage management. Please bring your own long-rifle (caliber must be no smaller than .17 HMR and no larger than .30 cal), at least 200 rounds (factory loads only!), personal eye and ear protection. (400 rounds if taking both Level 1 & 2)

Earn the coveted NWCOA Certified Urban Marksman (Level 1) and the NWCOA Certified Urban Sharpshooter designation (Level 2).

NWCOA® Shooting in Sensitive Environments – Level 1 – October 15, 2018

Level 1 covers the basics of marksmanship (7 fundamentals); how to obtain a proper zero, gear suggestions, and gear evaluations. The curriculum is based on the need for efficient marksmanship capabilities and will help determine whether or not success or failure hinges on the shooter or equipment being used. A Level 1 test will be required to pass the course.

NWCOA® Shooting in Sensitive Environments • Level 2

October 15 & 16, 2018

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Level 1 is required. Level 2 utilizes all of the marksmanship fundamentals developed in Level 1. The curriculum is based on the need for proper gear/equipment and begins teaching proper decision making skills. A Level 2 test will be required to pass the course.

NWCOA® Shooting in Sensitive Environments • Combined Level 1 & 2

For individuals who have completed Level 1 but would like a refresher, you may take the whole two-day course again. Individuals may also sign up to take both courses simultaneously – instructors will continually assess your progress during Level 1 to determine if you are eligible to be fast-tracked into Level 2.

The registration fee includes lodging and meals. Lodging is provided in climate-controlled bunkhouse style rooms. More details will be provided upon registration.

NWCOA® adheres to a no alcohol policy for the 12 hours prior to this course and during the entire length of the course. In addition, our range and housing facility has a strict no alcohol policy.

Registration Now Open! Visit nwcoa.com to register!

Registration brochure

Save the NWCOA WILDLIFE EXPO Dates!

Feb 5 – 9, 2019 

Marriott Myrtle Beach Resort & Spa at Grand Dunes

Myrtle Beach, SC

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Rutgers & Bat Standards

Rutgers & Bat Standards

The National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA) has been invited to Rutgers University of New Jersey to present the Bat Standards Compliant training. This one-day training is designed to help participants understand the fundamentals of ethical bat inspections, proper exclusion standards, zoonotic diseases (histoplasmosis and rabies), and how to clean bat control equipment to prevent the spread of White-nose Syndrome.

The training will provided through Rutgers University Office of Continuing Professional Education. Training will occur on March 30, 2016 between 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. Those interested in learning more or to register for the training event can visit http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/bats/

 

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NWCOA’s Goose Academy

NWCOA’s Goose Academy

Canada geese (Branta canadensis)
Canada geese (Branta canadensis)

The National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA, pronounced “New ko-ah”) has a two-day workshop that provides attendees with all the information and practical skills needed to manage damage by Canada geese (Branta canadensis).

The training covers biology, damage identification, business tips and marketing, laws, and control methods.

Vikki Rawe is the Master NWCOA Instructor for the Goose Academy. She has experience in running a successful wildlife control company and controlling damage by Canada geese. She provides this training to improve the professionalism within the industry and to help other companies expand and improve their services.

To learn more about the Goose Academy and attend the training being offered in Middletown, NY at the end of June, click NWCOA Goose Academy

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. 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.