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3/23/2009

Controlling Moles without Traps or Pesticides

I recently received a question asking for tips on how to control moles without traps or pesticides. I thought that others might want to know what I said. What follows is an adaptation of my comments.

By preemptively eliminating the use of traps and pesticides, you have essentially prevented any practical solution. Don't get offended. You do have other options, but you must decide if they are practical. I am just telling you now that it is highly unlikely that they will be. But here we go.

1. Flooding can kill moles.

2. Paving your grass over with asphalt.

3. Install exclusion. Which involves digging a trench around your property down at least 4 feet or below the frost line whichever is deeper. Install 1/4 inch hardware cloth and extend it up above the soil at least 6 inches (sometimes moles move on top of the ground).

You will see a lot of ads touting this or that non-chemical repellent, usually some sort of thumper. Buy one only if you like lawn ornaments. We are not aware of any solid research that supports their use. We know of wildlife control operators who trap moles in yards where these things exist. So at this time we cannot recommend them. (But we are always open to looking at research that provides evidence of their efficacy. We particularly look for peer-reviewed research).

Of course, if you change your mind, then visit Mole Control

Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP

Posted at 12:33 PM by CCEWEB\svantassel2 | Category: New Issues in Wildlife Control | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

3/16/2009

New Products in the Wildlife Control Industry

Hi everyone, I have a presentation to make before a number of academics on the subject of new products in wildlife damage management. My goal is to inform the audience about the technological advances taking place in the industry that many of them won't be familiar with.

Here is what I need.

1. Names of products that you think constitute a positive step forward in effective and responsible WDC.

2. Images, manufacturers etc. stories about why the product is so valuable.

3. Don't tell me what doesn't work. I am only interested in what you think is good!! and tell me why. Brevity and clarity are appreciated. Thanks.

Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP

Posted at 5:28 PM by CCEWEB\svantassel2 | Category: New Issues in Wildlife Control | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

3/11/2009

Opossums and Rabies

I recently received an e-mail from an individual who was a little upset over a comment found on our site suggesting that opossums could contract rabies. Here is a quote of what the person said,

"There has Never been a documented case of an opossum with Rabies. You should get you information correct before putting it on the Internet....Sorry to vent but your information is very misleading & will just make people scared of them."

While appreciating the person's love of opossums, I also have a fondness for them, there is a big difference between a disease being rare in species and the disease never occurring in the species. It is true rabies is rare amongst opossums but as the CDC notes, a few have tested positive for rabies. See and The U.S. Rabies Surveillance Report for 2007.

So while the risk of contracting rabies from an opossum bite is probably very low, low does not mean zero. I do not want to encourage panic. Opossums are not out to get you. If you stay away from them (most rabies exposures are due to the human approaching wildlife not wildlife approaching the human) then it will be exceedingly unlikely that you will ever have a problem with opossums at least as far as rabies is concerned.

Stephen Vantassel CWCP, ACP ICWDM

Posted at 12:51 PM by CCEWEB\svantassel2 | Category: New Issues in Wildlife Control | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

2/27/2009

Prepare for Spring Wildlife

Although it may feel like Spring is a long way off, wildlife know that it is around the corner. For them, Spring means the raising of young and the need to establish den sites.

This means that wildlife will be interested in your home or property. What could be better? Your home is warm, dry, and has insulation for nesting already made available. Furthermore, it doesn't sway in the wind!

So the time is now for you to check out your building and repair any winter damage BEFORE wildlife take advantage of it. (Caution never secure a hole unless you are positively certain it is not being used). Securely cap chimneys, repair soffets, trim tree branches and bushes away from the house, and trench screen decks, sheds, and porches. Secure food stuffs. In short, make your home less animal friendly and you will save yourself from much pain and expense.

Further details on prevention can be found at ICWDM Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP

Posted at 5:49 PM by CCEWEB\svantassel2 | Category: Springtime Surprises | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

2/23/2009

ICWDM Newsletter

The ICWDM has launched a free newsletter. You can download your copy at ICWDM Newsletter We hope you enjoy it.

We also welcome ideas and submissions for future pieces. We know that a lot of research is being done on various elements of wildlife damage management and we would like to help get that information into the hands of the practitioner. Let us help you do that.

Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP

Posted at 11:20 AM by CCEWEB\svantassel2 | Category: New Issues in Wildlife Control | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

2/19/2009

Omaha Lawn and Garden Show

Stephen Vantassel, Project Coordinator for Wildlife Damage Management for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will be manning a booth at the Lawn and Garden Show in Omaha, Nebraska, Thursday through Sunday, beginning February 19, 2009.

If you are struggling with a wildlife problem, Stephen will be there to provide the information you need to responsibly handle your wildlife issue. There will be a variety of NebGuides available to provide written instructions on managing a variety of common wildlife complaints. Stephen helped write most of them.

Additionally, Stephen will provide visitors a demonstration on how to use mole traps for the control of moles that damage your lawn.

Stephen will be located alongside Douglas-Sarpy County Extension booth. He hopes you will stop by and say hello.

Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP

Posted at 11:51 AM by CCEWEB\svantassel2 | Category: Outreach | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (1)

2/9/2009

15th Wildlife Control Technology Seminar

I recently spoke at the 15th Wildlife Control Technology Seminar in Indianapolis, IN. This event is perhaps the oldest continuous running educational opportunity for wildlife control operators to learn more about becoming better WCOs.

It was great. I was impressed with the wide variety of information available. Let me fill you in on what I considered to be a few of the highlights. But first, I wanted to explain how I decide whether a conference is "worth it." My grading system is quite simple. If I have learned one thing that in the course of a year would pay for the total cost of the conference than I consider the conference a success. You may think that such a standard is pretty low. In one sense it is, but you must understand that given the number of conferences I have been too, it gets increasingly more difficult to hear or learn something that is truly new. You must also remember that the standard is an economic one. The new piece of information must allow me to pay for the entire conference costs, which is usually around 1000 dollars when you factor in transportation and food.

By that standard, the conference was a smashing success because I learned at least three main tips that could definitely pay for the cost of the seminar. Let me list a few for you. First, Jason Reger's session on television advertising was easily worth a 1000 dollars. Next, Jack Ling's presentation on Canada geese was also good. While I don't think it would pay for the trip, his insight certainly helped me better understand the complexities of dealing with nuisance geese. Lastly Ron Scheller's lecture on the use of lifts in urban wildlife control was enlightening.

What is my point here? Well when WCOs say that they don't go to conferences because they won't learn anything new or it isn't worth it, I suggest that they think harder. Because frequently, the meetings are worth the time and effort.

Stephen Vantassel

Posted at 3:40 PM by CCEWEB\svantassel2 | Category: Outreach | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

2/3/2009

5 Tips for Successful Wildlife Control

Those of you interested in starting or expanding your business into the wildlife damage management arena might want to read my article "5 Tips for Successful Wildlife Control" published in the January 2009 issue of Pest Control Technology Magazine pp. 114-16,133. Don't have a copy? Visit 5 Tips for Successful Wildlife Control

Posted at 9:47 AM by CCEWEB\svantassel2 | Category: New Issues in Wildlife Control | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

1/12/2009

USGS Image and Video Gallery

I am always on the hunt for images useful in educating the public about wildlife and the damage it causes. I recently came across a splendid database maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey It may seem odd but the Survey does more than just look at rocks. They also create maps and record wildlife and disease data from around the country. The Survey site has two key features that also recommend it to potential users. First, being a Federal site, the images are free to use. Just be sure to give credit where credit is due!! Second, the gallery also has videos on various topics related to Survey's work. Enjoy. Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP svantassel2@unl.edu http://icwdm.org

Posted at 10:28 AM by CCEWEB\svantassel2 | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

6/5/2008

Share Your Photos

We here at the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (http://icwdm.org) provide a wide array of wildlife related photos to the public through our Content DM site. You can check it out for yourself at http://libtextcenter.unl.edu/content/custom/wildlife/wildlifesplash.php If you can't browse the collection, the problem is probably due to a conflict with your port 2000 begin used or designated to another program. (We have heard reports of some people having trouble with viewing). The Content DM site contains almost 700 images, and growing) on all aspects of wildlife damage management. We have photos of equipment, damage, scat, trapping sets, and more. We created this database so that instructors, media, individuals could have access to quality images that could help visually tell the story of wildlife damage management. Additionally, they are free to use. Imagine that. Guilt free public use provided you are giving us and the photographer credit and you are not selling them. But we are always looking for more photos. People ask us, "What do you want?" In short, everything. We want scat, tracks, hair, damage, control techniques, prevention techniques, even animals doing nothing wrong at all. We are particularly interested in vehicle strikes, bird strikes, otters, alligators, nutria, muskrat, mink, raptor, mountain beaver, bear, elk, moose, flying squirrel, spotted skunk, shrew, snake, and vulture related images. We hope you will consider helping us in our mission. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Yours in responsible wildlife damage management, Stephen Vantassel

Posted at 9:59 AM by CCEWEB\svantassel2 | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0)

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