|
Absolutely not!
In most cases Wildlife Wranglers has been able to evict/remove these animals and locate and block all holes to keep them from returning.
We can usually tell you on our first inspection what kind of long-term success you will have in keeping these animals out based upon the condition of your home.
Homes in need of major repairs would be the only exception as they would require other specialists to remedy the problem.
Back to FAQ Contents
Studies have shown at least 10 miles away for small rodents (such as chipmunks and squirrels) and at least 20 miles away for mid-sized animals (such as skunks, raccoons, opossums and woodchucks).
Larger animals such as coyotes and foxes and flying animals (birds and bats) have been known to travel hundreds of miles to return to their home base making translocation an impractical option.
Back to FAQ Contents
We believe that our technicians are the best trained wildlife damage managers in the area.
We take advantage of continuing education opportunities which keep us abreast of all the latest techniques, tools and technology which enable us to humanely capture the offending animal quickly and effectively.
On top of removing wild animals from buildings we follow up our work with exclusions (which often carry a written guarantee) which permanently block new invaders out.
Our track record proves it. The old statement: “You get what you pay for” applies to the wildlife damage management industry as it does to other service-based industries.
Back to FAQ Contents
Most importantly find out if they are licensed and possess all of the necessary certifications and permits for the work that you are going to hire them for.
State law requires any business performing $600.00 or more of pest-proofing measures on a customer’s building to have a Builder’s License issued by the Department of Consumer and Industry Services.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources requires all commercial wildlife removal businesses to possess a Wildlife Damage and Nuisance Control Permit issued by the Wildlife Division.
Amphibian, reptile and fish removal requires a Collector’s Permit issued by the Fisheries Division.
Most pesticide applications require category certification and a license issued by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.
Additional special permits may be needed for the removal of federally protected animals, etc.
Equally important the firm should not be allowed to enter your property without liability insurance coverage.
Other important questions to ask: How long has the firm been in business? Can they provide references? Are they full-time or part-time? Are they certified by any industry trade organizations?
Are the service technicians dressed in uniforms? Does the company have clean and functional service vehicles and equipment? Are the employees courteous, knowledgeable and helpful?
Back to FAQ Contents
If possible hire a professional to capture the bat.
If this is not an option for you, use thick leather gloves and a fine mesh net to trap the animal.
Another option is to wait for the bat to land and to place a box or a can over it. Slide a thin piece of cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside. Tape the cardboard to the container securely, and punch small holes in the cardboard, allowing the bat to breathe.
Contact your health department to make arrangements for rabies testing.
Back to FAQ Contents
Although translocation (transporting the animal from its capture site to a far distant location with the intent of preventing its return) is often thought of as the best option, in many cases it is not.
Regulations, time of year, availability of habitat, health concerns, liability issues, carrying capacity, population dynamics and impact on other animals all have to be considered before deciding to take the animal for a ride.
Wildlife biologists have often concluded that euthanasia carried out by the animal’s captor is often the most humane option.
Back to FAQ Contents
Be aware that there are state and sometimes federal laws addressing the control of wildlife species. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the state agency in charge of managing Michigan’s wildlife resources, requires (in most cases) that a property owner or manager obtain a
state permit in order to capture, translocate or kill many common wildlife species. Animals which are federally protected or rare require special permits in order to enact control measures.
Permission must be received before entering another person’s property in order to release a wild animal otherwise you are guilty of trespassing.
A lack of proper training in humane wildlife euthanasia and the special equipment required for its execution eliminates the option of destroying the offending animal for most people.
Many wild animals are dangerous when cornered and carry diseases and/or parasites that are transmissible to humans and their pets. Unless you have a pickup truck it is highly advised to not translocate wildlife as you may have noxious odors, fleas, mites and ticks to contend with.
Often the offending animal is not translocated far enough away resulting in the same animal returning to the property.
Amateur trappers often waste a lot of time and money using the wrong trap and attractants when they could have hired a professional trapper and solved the problem faster.
Last, but not least a poorly trained individual may end up injuring a wild animal or damaging surrounding valuables due to a poorly-placed trap.
If after reading all of this you are still determined to enter into a “do-it-yourself” project keep in mind that our Trapper Supply Outpost can outfit you with all of the traps and equipment that you will need to carry out the control project.
Back to FAQ Contents
Although there are all kinds of deterrents, repellents, insecticides and poison baits on the market that claim to repel moles, eliminate their food sources or kill the animals, Wildlife Wranglers has found over the years that trapping is the most efficient, effective and
environmentally-friendly method of quickly reducing a resident population of eastern or starnose moles. University research and the findings of other wildlife control operators has backed this up.
Moles are not phased by or quickly become conditioned to deterrents and repellents. Insecticides may reduce some food sources (such as ants and grubs), but a large percentage of a mole's diet is earthworms - an invertebrate that is not targeted by most chemicals and an invertebrate
that is needed for healthy soil conditions. Poison baits are often ignored, eaten by non-target animals or quickly degrade in the soil. If they are consumed by moles it is difficult to determine if the resident population is being reduced.
With traps the wildlife control operator and the customer can see the positive results. An expert trapper with the right traps can quickly reduce a resident population of moles and improve the condition of the lawn. The reason why traps do not work for most property owners lies in
the fact that most individuals are not properly trained in mole biology and removal and do not own the correct traps.
There are no practical permanent solutions available for keeping new moles from entering a yard once the resident population has been removed. Wildlife Wranglers simply keeps an on-going maintenance program in place whereby the client alerts our firm as soon as new mole activity
is observed on the perimeter of the yard. Traps can then be returned to the yard and the moles removed before they enter the interior where extensive damage can be done.
Back to FAQ Contents
Much of the following information came from the Michigan Health Department:
Most of the recent human rabies cases in Michigan have been caused by rabies virus from bats.
Awareness of the facts about bats and rabies can help people protect themselves, their families, and their pets. Rabies can be confirmed only in a laboratory.
However, any bat that is active by day, is found in a place where bats are not usually seen (for example, in a room in your home or on the lawn), or is unable to fly is far more likely than others to be rabid.
Such bats are often the most easily approached. Therefore, it is important to never handle any bat with bare hands. If you are bitten by a bat - or if infectious material (such as saliva) from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound - wash the affected area thoroughly
with soap and water and get medical advice immediately.
Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing. People usually know when they have been bitten by a bat. However, because bats have small teeth which may leave marks that are not easily seen, there are situations in which you should seek
medical advice even in the absence of an obvious bite wound.
For example, if you awaken and find a bat in your room, see a bat in the room of an unattended child, or see a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person, seek medical advice and have the bat tested.
Be sure to have a professional wildlife damage management firm inspect your home in order to come up with a game plan for evicting and excluding bats.
Back to FAQ Contents
This recipe has been widely shared by wildlife control operators with clients wanting an effective home remedy for skunk odor removal.
A chemist (Paul Krebaum of Lisle, Illinois) supposedly developed this recipe when a colleague’s cat had an encounter with a skunk. Paul explains that skunk essence is made up of sulfur molecules.
The materials in the recipe form an alkaline peroxide which chemically changes the essence into sulfonic acid, a completely odorless chemical. The only purpose of the dish soap is to break up the oily nature of the spray and make it more susceptible to the other chemicals.
These simple ingredients are found in most homes and are inexpensive to buy: 1 U.S. quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), 1 teaspoon of Dawn liquid soap.
Directions: Mix the ingredients and bathe your pet in it. Let it stand for 5 minutes and rinse with water. Repeat if necessary. Do not store in a closed container as the mixture releases gases and could cause the container to rupture. It will loose its potency if allowed to stand so
use it all or throw it away when the job is done.
Be aware that this recipe can bleach your pet’s hair. A black Labrador retriever reportedly ended up a solid chocolate color after a treatment!
Although the individual chemicals in this recipe are harmless, it is advised to keep the solution away from the eyes, nose and mouth of both pets and people.
Back to FAQ Contents
In some cases - yes. A opossum wandering through a backyard, for example, is better off enjoyed as a unique wildlife viewing opportunity where there is seldom a cause for concern.
In other cases - no. An animal that is causing damage to property and/or posing a threat to humans or domestic animals should be immediately removed.
For those “gray areas” each individual will have to determine what is permissible and what is not based on the particular threat rating and economic considerations.
Back to FAQ Contents
In some cases (such as bats, some species of squirrels and birds) - yes (as long as all of the other entry holes have been sealed properly).
In other cases - no. Large tree squirrels and raccoons may attempt to chew their way back in (especially if there is young present) depending on the make of the house.
Back to FAQ Contents
In most cases repellents provide only temporary relief.
Wild animals soon become tolerant to them and the elements shorten their life span.
Mothballs are not labeled for use on wildlife and they can cause serious human health problems if used in large volumes inside a confined living space.
Back to FAQ Contents
Yes. State law requires us to return live trapped animals to their owners (if possible) or translocate them to a licensed animal shelter.
Back to FAQ Contents
|
