SQUIRRELS IN THE ATTIC? Wildlife damage to crops? Need to
know more about regulations affecting your ability to trap,
remove, or otherwise manage problem wildlife? How about expert
advice on the right methods and equipment?
Wildlife problems include nuisance concerns, crop or property
damage, and human health and safety risks. It's not always
easy to determine who to call for help and advice. Various
local, county, state and federal offices address animal
damage issues, and the right one to call varies from one
location to another. The following guide should help reduce
confusion and get you the answers you need.
Check your phone book under County Government listings
for Animal Damage Control. If you can't locate a listing,
try the Cooperative Extension Service, also in the County
Government listings. If your county does not have an Extension
wildlife specialist on staff, the agents there should be
able to provide a phone number for a regional or state
specialist. Cooperative Extension listings are sometimes
also included in the State Government section of your phone
book, under your state university (e.g., University of
Wisconsin, Cooperative Extension Service).
Most states have a wildlife management division
responsible for education and enforcement of laws. You
can find these agencies in the State Government section
of your phone book under Wildlife or Fish and Wildlife.
If there is no Wildlife listing, try National Resource
or Agriculture departments, also in the State Government
listings.
The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal
and Plant Inspection Service, Wildlife Service (USDA-APHIS-WS)
is charged with providing technical assistance and training
to wildlife management professionals and the public; research,
development and transfer of technology; assistance in obtaining
wildlife damage permits; and registering and maintaining
chemical products for wildlife management. USDA-APHIS-WS
may have specialized equipment available for public use.
This agency has developed a number of fact sheets and
bulletins on wildlife damage management. You can contact
the national office at USDA-APHIS-WS, Operational Support
Staff, 4700 River Rd., Unit 87, Riverdale, MD 20737, Ph:
301/734-7921.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service issues permits
for the removal or elimination of protected wildlife species
when necessary. Contact the USDA-APHIS-WS office in your
area first for an evaluation of the problem and help with
the permit process if it is determined this action is warranted.
(The national USDA-APHIS-WS office can give you the number
of the appropriate contact in your state.)
If you are not a "do-it-yourselfer," or
for certain potentially hazardous situations as diseased
animal removal, calling in a private company may be your
best option. Nuisance wildlife control operators (NWCOs)
include wildlife management specialty companies as well
as "general practice" pest control companies
that also do pest control for termites and other structural
pests. You can find these professionals in the Yellow Pages
of your phone book under Pest Control Operators, Animal
Control or Wildlife Control.
When hiring a professional for any specialized work, ask
for several references and find out how many times the
person or firm has dealt with problems similar to yours.
Check with your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business
Bureau. Be sure to ask for a complete explanation of all
of your options and weigh the pros and cons of each before
choosing a course of action. |
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| Click on the animal or bird to go to
a page that will list products and info to help you
control and manage wildlife. |
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