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Kindle Book

Kindle Book

Wildlife Pest Control Handbook by Philip J. Nichols with Stephen M. Vantassel (2017).
Wildlife Pest Control Handbook by Philip J. Nichols with Stephen M. Vantassel (2017).

Philip J. Nichol’s book, Wildlife Pest Control Handbook, has been revised by Stephen M. Vantassel and is now available as a Kindle Book. This is the fourth revision of the text and readers should appreciate how the text has been thoroughly updated to better account for modern laws and work practices while remaining true to Nichol’s practical voice. The text has additional images and content as well. The wildlife control industry has not been an early adopter of e-book technology. However, Stephen thought it would be beneficial to make this text available to a wider audience, those comfortable with technology but still needing quality information about starting a wildlife control business.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BMMY8WH?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660 available at Amazon.

If you prefer the hardcopy, visit Wildlife Pest Control Handbook.

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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M-44s and Domestic Dogs

M-44s are devices that eject sodium-cyanide into the mouth of canines that pull the device. They are outstanding tools for the control of coyotes (Canis latrans) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). While important tools for wildlife damage management, M-44s do have a draw back, namely M-44s and domestic dogs can be a lethal combination if domestic dogs happen to interact with them.

M-44 to the left of the bleached bone. Photo by Anonymous.
M-44 to the left of the bleached bone. Photo by Anonymous.

Now all legal users of M-44s want to reduce/eliminate non-target kills. In fact the label requires applicators to follow stringent and somewhat restrictive protocols in the use of M-44s. There are several strategies to prevent domestic dogs from interacting with these devices.

  1. Instruct the landowner to restrain his/her dogs during the time the M-44s will be in the pasture.
  2. Place the M-44s in areas removed from where the dogs normally roam.

Now those are common sense suggestions. But there is another option. It’s not a perfect solution but just another technique. What you do is insert capsaicin tablets in the M-44s. The dogs that bite and pull the devices will get a mouthful of bitter capsaicin. This difficult experience is enough to train dogs to avoid the devices in the future.

Note, it’s not a guaranteed solution but it can be a helpful one to offer a landowner who is resistant to restrain his/her dogs.

Stephen M. Vantassel is certified in the use of M-44s.

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How Many House Sparrows?

Paying attention to details is critical in wildlife control. So how many house sparrows can you find in this photo? Scroll below to see the answer.

IMG_3209.JPG
How many house sparrows can you see in this photo? Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

The answer is

1 on the roof

8 on the fence

1 in the bush

So the total is 10!!

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Rachel Gehringher-Wiar

Dear Lincoln Journal Star,

I am writing in regards to the article on Saturday, July 19, 2014 entitled best critter defense for her garden? An outdoor cat. On page 8 of the neighborhood Extra by Rachel Gehringher-Wiar. Her advice that readers encourage the presence of free ranging cats to resolve wildlife conflicts for garden seriously misinformed the readership. Free ranging cats are indiscriminate killers removing beneficial species along with some undesirable species. While readers may want all wildlife in the backyard dead, the fact is very few animals are causing conflicts with gardens so in effect Rachel’s solution is to kill them all and let God sort them out rather than a targeted solution to the problem. In addition Rachel didn’t inform her readers about the disease issues inherent with free ranging cats, particularly toxoplasmosis as cats use gardens for toilets.

It is unfortunate that Rachel didn’t take advantage of the resources provided by the University of Nebraska Lincoln through the Internet center for wildlife damage management website (ICWDM.org). By encouraging her readers to use cats, readers will lose the benefits provided by shrews and songbirds and other beneficial species such as garter snakes and frogs that perform insect control in gardens and also beautify the landscape.

It is my hope that if Ms. Wiar wishes to provide wildlife damage information to her readership that she consult the source mentioned above. If she has any doubts about the environmental impact free ranging cats have on the environment please letter read “Feral Cats and Their Management, EC1781”available at http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/sendIt/ec1781.pdf. As an author of that university publication, I would be happy to provide her additional details should she desire it.

Sincerely,

Stephen M. Vantassel,

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.

 

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Selling Your WCO Business Part 3

Selling Your WCO Business Part 3

This article is part of a 5-part series. These blogs were originally published as “Selling Your Company” Wildlife Control Technology Magazine Sept/Oct 1999. Disclaimer: Article for informational purposes and is not to replace good legal counsel.

Advertising for Buyers

Obviously the options here are endless. I would suggest a low cost approach unless your company is worth well over 100,000 dollars. If it is worth more than that you might want to consider a business broker. Their fees can be steep. I called one and found out that he charged 30% of the gross sale. To my mind that is fairly expensive others charge 10-15% of the gross sale but that price only covers the cost of finding a buyer, which is no small task as brokers must perform a great deal of work to find a good buyer willing to pay a good price. Given how small our industry is the broker will have to work very hard to find a buyer. Don’t be afraid to negotiate the terms of the commission. You might be able to find a business broker willing to work for less money. Another option is to hire a broker as a consultant. A+ Business Broker Inc. out of Florida says they consult with potential sellers for 250 dollars an hour (1-800-707-8899). That is still a lot of money but the advice could be well worth it. (Don’t be afraid to make the broker prove their competence and always seek to understand what you are paying for.

You can also try to sell your business by yourself. You can get the word out through your state association newsletter, local exterminators, businesses that refer to you etc. If you want to spend for advertising, you can place ads in WCT, pest control magazines or national trapping magazines. You can also advertise on the internet. For example, American Investor Business Brokers is located on the web at http://aibb.com/fsbo/index.htm They will even allow you to offer your business on the web for no commission. You just pay a fee to advertise the company on the web. As with all brokers and paid advertising, make sure you understand what you are getting in return for payment. Ask tough questions about their abilities and successes. Remember they are supposed to be working for you.

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.

About Stephen

Stephen M. Vantassel MNI, CNI, CWCP, ACP, 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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