While I give tips on how to handle your own animal damage problems, there are times when you just want to hire a professional. The problem is you don't want to hire a bad one. So since Spring is upon us, I thought it might help Suite 101 members to know what to look for in bettering their chances to hire a good animal damage controller.
Before we get to the questions, you need to understand the difference between pest controllers and a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator also known as Problem Animal Control Agent (in Massachusetts). A pest controller is someone who handles bugs through the use of poison. A NWCO (pronounced NEWCO) is someone who handles wildlife through traps, exclusion etc. Pest Controllers are licensed through the state's Dept. of Food and Agriculture. NWCO's, if the state licenses them at all, will be regulated through the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or Dept. of Natural Resources.
Obviously, the first thing you should do is to look for a NWCO to handle your wildlife problem and not a pest controller. Once you know what you are looking for you should ask the following questions.
The first set of questions relate to the qualifications of the NWCO.
1. Ask how many years the NWCO has been in the animal control business? This question is not to be confused with how many years in the Pest control business. Bug killing is very different from controlling wildlife. Too pest controllers start doing NWCO work with little to none trapping or wildlife experience.
2. Find out if the person is licensed to do animal damage control work in the state you live in. While some states don't require licenses, many do. Ask if the person has completed a state certified trapping course. While most trapping courses teach fur trapping (not nuisance work), going through the training gives at least information about state laws.
3. Ask what magazines he/she reads. The answer should include Wildlife Control Technology Magazine (it is the trade magazine of the industry.)http://www.wctech.com For the purposes of disclosure you should know that I am an assistant editor for the magazine.
Next month, I will provide more questions you should ask before hiring a professional.
