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Why WCOs Should Be Regulated

WCO regulations?

Wildlife control operators (WCOs) are individuals that charge a fee to resolve problems customers have with vertebrate (i.e. a spine or backbone) animals. In this regard, WCOs are very much like pest control operators (PCOs), who help clients with insects (animals that lack a backbone) such as cockroaches and bedbugs. You may know that PCOs are regulated but are their any WCO regulations?

Stephen M. Vantassel at the 25th Wildlife Society Conference in Cleveland, OH explaining how wildlife agency neglect of wildlife control operators harms wildlife and consumers.
Stephen M. Vantassel at the 25th Wildlife Society Conference in Cleveland, OH explaining how wildlife agency neglect of wildlife control operators harms wildlife and consumers.

What most people don’t realize is that in many states, WCOs have few regulations and in some instances virtually none. In other words, the WCO you hire may not have any official training in wildlife control and may not even  have a business license. This is one reason why I believe, WCOs should be regulated. But there are also other reasons.

I recently gave a talk at the 25th Annual Conference of the Wildlife Society in Cleveland, OH (Oct 11, 2018). There I explained that state wildlife agencies that ignore regulating WCOs are not fulfilling their responsibilities to follow the North American Model of Wildlife Management. Wildlife control operators handle thousands if not tens of thousands of animals every year. Where are all those animals going? Are they being translocated, relocated, dispatched? If moved, what are the environmental impacts of moving those animals to new locations? If the animals are being dispatched, are there guidelines for dispatching and disposal of carcasses?  I recognize that the animals typically being controlled are not in danger of becoming extinct. But there should be some oversight given the volume of wildlife being handled on an annual basis.

Unfortunately, many WCOs oppose regulation. They mistakenly think that regulation is automatically bad. In fact, regulation means the government has an interest in protecting your work. The solution to bad regulation is not no regulation but good regulation. But that is a topic for another blog.

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.

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WCO Job Requirements

WCO employee on the phone.
WCO employee on the phone.

So your business is expanding and you are thinking of adding a new WCO (wildlife control operator) to your staff. Congratulations. To truly make money in a service industry you need to either raise prices, add labor, or both. But what makes a good WCO? In other words, what are the WCO job requirements or skills needed to make an outstanding WCO?

You have to be careful. Hiring the wrong person can cost you dearly. But, hiring the right person can make you a lot of money, help someone else, and bring peace of mind to yourself, your employee and your customers. So what should you look for? Here are some key WCO Job Requirements that I think you should have.

  • Physically fit. This is a big one. WCO work is grueling when it is done right. Your worker needs to be strong, healthy, and able to handle uncomfortable environmental conditions.
  • Personable. WCO work is a service business. Employees need to be able to converse with customers in a professional manner.
  • Handy. WCO work requires hands-on skills. Anyone can learn trapping. The hard part is finding someone with ability to do handy-man type repairs.
  • Reliable. WCO is a loner job. You simply can’t be there with your employee all the time. If you can’t trust him/her. Then don’t hire that person.

If you need advice on how to screen workers, why not give us a call?

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.

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WCOs and Dogs

WCOs and dogs may seem like a strange topic but a few moments of reflection would suggest otherwise. Wildlife Control Operators (WCOs) visit the homes of clients.

Sign warning people about dogs. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
Sign warning people about dogs. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

Lots of clients have dogs and dogs can bite. According to the Dogs Bite.org, between January 1 2005 and December 31, 2017, at least 433 people died from dog attacks in the United States. Granted 48% of the deaths were of children less than 9 years of age. Makes sense, children are more vulnerable. But don’t let your guard down. people in older groups including adults have been killed by dogs. Deaths are only part of the story as most incidents involve bodily injury, some quite severe, meaning that the victim required medical treatment.

Bottom line. WCOs need to be on the look out for more than just slippery sidewalks. They need to be paying attention to whether a domestic animal is on location and whether it can pose a threat to the WCO’s personal safety.

WCOs should protect themselves by following these suggestions:

  • Ask clients whether they have a dog on the premises when hired. Make it part of the phone inspection process.
  • Keep an eye out for signs of dogs when driving up to the job site. Are there dog food dishes present? What about dog toys? Is there a fenced area that seems quite secure? Is the grass destroyed by that fence line suggesting a dog spends time monitoring that fence?
  • Do you hear barking when you arrive?

Once you see a dog, don’t assume it’s friendly. Keep away from it unless the client suggests otherwise. The Centers for Disease Control has many more suggestions on how to prevent dog bites. I suggest reading their tips to keep you safe. If you have employees, take the opportunity to train them. A few minutes of training can save hours of lost work, pain, and expensive medical bills.

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.

 

 

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Wildlife Control Operators and Charity

Wildlife Control Operators and Charity

Securing a bathroom exhaust vent to prevent bird entry. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
Securing a bathroom exhaust vent to prevent bird entry. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

With the holidays fast approaching, (how many days till Christmas?), it is time for wildlife control operators (WCO) to think about giving back. WCOs, like most business owners, have plenty of options to help their favorite cause. They can give money, volunteer their time, assist in advertising, or raising money.

As good as these options for giving are, I suggest that WCOs consider a different approach. I think WCOs should contribute their wildlife control skills to an organization or person in need. Your contribution can be as simple as installing a chimney cap or vent screen to as complex as a bird or bat exclusion.

Whether your contribution is preventative or corrective, the economically disadvantaged need your expertise to restore their dignity and protect their property from wildlife damage. I hope you consider it this holiday season.

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.

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Zoonotics and Showers

Zoonotics and Showers

HAMBURG, GERMANY - JUNE 02: A lab technician ...
(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Wildlife control has many hazards. Diseases from wildlife is one of the most insidious because most infections manifest with “flu-like symptoms.” When wildlife control operators (WCOs) come down with aches, chills, fever, etc. they think they have the flu. While its possible that the worker has the flu (which is serious enough), it is also possible that he/she has any number of zoonotic infections.

Workers have many ways to protect themselves, such as gloves, HEPA filter masks, and vaccinations. While protective equipment is essential, many wildlife control operators are not aware of the threat they pose to their families.

The Risk to Families

Consider the following scenario. The WCO has had a long day at work, handling lots of animals and entering several attics or crawl spaces. He comes home. As he comes through the door, his 5-year-old daughter rushes to him and wraps her arms around his legs. Did the daughter inhale any infectious dust from the pants?

A Simple Strategy to Reduce Risk

1. Be aware of the risks. Learning about zoonosis is the first step to protecting yourself against them.

2. Change clothes and shower before you sit on the sofa or greet family. You should clearly distinguish between work clothes and non-work clothes. Just as pest control operators sustain chemical spray on their clothes requiring removal, so too WCOs get infectious agents on their clothes. Place clothes in laundry and get into the shower. Soap and water can do a lot to protect you and your family from infectious diseases. It’s not perfect but it helps.

3. Showers allow you to look at your skin for ectoparasites like ticks. Ticks and other ectoparasites also can carry infectious agents. So the sooner they are removed, the more likely you will avoid disease transmission.

Bottom line

Remove work clothes and shower before you settle in at home.

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 book is the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition. He can be contacted at stephenvantassel at Hotmail dot com.

Copyright

All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel. Text may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included.

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About Stephen

Stephen M. Vantassel MNI, CNI, CWCP, ACE Bio Stephen M. Vantassel is the Vertebrate Pest Specialist for the Montana Department of Agriculture (2015-present). Formerly, he was the Program Coordinator of Distance Education-Wildlife Damage Management for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources from 2004-2014. Stephen filled the position vacated by Dallas Virchow, who … Learn More

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