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Orlando Florida Wildlife - FAQ
What do you do with the animals once they are captured?
This is a very common question. There are two basic choices: relocation or euthanization. Each option has
its advantages and disadvantages. Many customers show genuine concern for the animal's welfare, and I respect
that. I care about wild animals as well. I also understand ecology better than the average person, and I know
that the matter is a little more complicated than people realize. If I feel that I can relocate an animal, and
that it stands a good chance of survival, then I will do it, at one of several relocation points that I have
approval to use. However, people should be made aware that survival
rates for relocated animals are not particularly good if the animal is unhealthy, or particularly
old or young, because of competition from existing animals, and the stress of learning a new habitat. I bring
very young animals to a state licensed wildlife rehabilitator. If I feel that an animal
should be euthanized, I use what is widely considered amongst the most humane methods: a CO2 chamber. The animal
does not struggle. It is able to breathe, but the zero oxygen content of the air causes it to become dizzy, pass out, and
gently "go to sleep". I feel comfortable with this method of euthanization, and if the case calls for putting
an animal down, I think that my customers should feel comfortable with this method as well.
Ultimately, I aim to inform my customers, and let them make the final decision.
However, in some cases, I prefer the customer to defer to my professional opinion. For example, if a customer
insists that I not harm the animal, but I strongly feel that the animal is sick and will only suffer more as a
result of relocation, or worse, harm other animals, then I will explain this and euthanize it humanely.
Why do you charge the prices you do?
Nuisance Wildlife Control is a specialty business. It requires a unique set of skills and more knowledge than
most people realize. It is also a field with unique risks. Nuisance wildlife control operators take care of
difficult problems that few people can properly or safely handle. I am not some backwoods bucktoothed yokel trapper. I
am a college educated and state licensed professional. People seem to have no problem paying the electrician or plumber
for their skills, and you won't find them crawling in a hot attic to remove a litter of raccoons with an angry mother
raccoon lurking nearby!
Many people have the mindset that wild animal problems should be taken care of for free. This stems from the time when
state and county agencies did indeed take care of wild animal problems. However, as the problem grew, they stopped providing
this service, and it is now in the hands of the private sector - the nuisance wildlife trapper. I don't get state funding.
No one is giving me a truck, traps, equipment, gasoline, insurance, phone service, advertising, and the myriad of other
expenses necessary to run a professional operation. I must pay for these things myself. Some people seem to understand
this, and others don't.
"You mean I gotta pay for this?". Yes,
you do, but please be aware that you are paying for a special service. I find that all of my customers feel that they
have received a very good value, after they talk to me in person, and get their problem quickly and professionally taken
care of.
For a complete list of current prices, click here:
prices
Can't the city or county take care of the problem for free?
A long time ago, in a county far, far away, a person could call the government sponsored county animal services, complain
about the raccoon eating from their cat's dinner dish, and get the problem (slowly) taken care of. Then the problem grew too large and
expensive, and counties across the land decided not to help out with wild animal problems any more.
City and county agencies only take care of domestic animal problems, specifically dog and cat problems. All wildlife
issues fall into the hands of the private sector - the state licensed nuisance wildlife trappers.
If you have a problem with a dog or a cat (one that doesn't involve something tricky like going into an attic or under a crawl
space), you can go ahead and call the county animal services. Here are the numbers for Greater Orlando:
Orange County Animal Services: 407-352-4390
Seminole County Animal Services: 407-665-5201
Osceola County Animal Services: 407-343-7101
If you have a problem with any type of wild animal, say a raccoon, opossum, armadillo, squirrel, snake, etc. then you have to
call a state licensed nuisance trapper. In my biased recommendation, I suggest that you call the finest nuisance wildlife
control operator in the land - David Seerveld of 24/7 Wildlife Removal.
Do you use poisons?
NO. I do not believe in poisons. Poisons are inhumane and they often leave an
animal to die in the attic or walls of your house, causing an odor problem. When a large animal eats poison
intended for rats and mice, they suffer. I think poisons are a lazy, careless, and ultimately
ineffective way to deal with wild animal problems. I use a process called integrated pest management. IPM involves
the combined use of trapping, excluding, and habitat modification to take care of the problem. If there are rats in your attic,
I don't throw some poison at them, I inspect the entire house and seal points of entry, eliminate food access, and trap and remove all
remaining rats.
Do you take care of termites or other insects?
No. Insects fall under the umbrella of pest control, which is an entirely different field than nuisance wildlife
control. If you have a problem with insects, you must contact a pest control company.
Can't my regular pest control company take care of this?
Go ahead and ask, but pest control companies are licensed and trained in poison use, particularly for insects.
They usually spray poison on the yard or house, and charge for monthly contracts. They use
the same methods when they try to control mice & rats (with inferior and costly results) and even have been known to
illegally try to use poisons on other animals, such as bats. A wildlife problem is VERY different from an insect problem,
and should be dealt with only by a professional nuisance wildlife trapper who has extensive experience dealing with
wildlife.
Do you pick up orphaned animals?
Yes, for a one-time service fee, I will come to the property, pick up the baby orphaned animals (usually raccoons,
opossums, or squirrels) and bring them to a state licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Do you pick up dead animals?
Yes, for a one-time service fee I will come to the property, remove the dead animal, and dispose of
the carcass in an acceptable manner.
Will you help out with dog or cat issues?
No. I can't tell you how many times I've received calls that sound like: "My neighbor doesn't keep their
pit-bull on a leash, and it's terrorizing...." etc. etc. The county animal services will assist with dog or cat issues
for free, unless they are put at personal risk, in a situation such as a mother cat with a litter in an attic.
Contact your county's animal services division. To find them, look in the blue pages of the phone book.
Which animals do you handle?
Almost any wildlife that a property owner deems as a nuisance. This basically involves the following animals:
Raccoons, armadillos, squirrels, opossums, all species of snakes, bats, rats, mice, moles, dead animals, and the
following birds: pigeons, muscovy ducks, blackbirds, grackles and crows. I will assist with feral cats in cases
of unwillingness by the county, such as cats in attics or under houses. I can also help deter other animals
such as deer or woodpeckers, though I cannot trap or kill them.
Which animals don't you handle?
I do not handle black bear, or any federally endangered or threatened species. Most birds are protected
under the federal migratory bird protection act. I do not handle alligators, which require a separate license.
I am unequipped and unwilling to handle wild boar. For assistance with any special animal concerns such as
alligators, please contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 352-732-1225 (they will
NOT assist you with your personal normal wildlife problem, i.e. raccoon, snake, squirrel, etc.)
What types of traps do you use?
I use whatever trap is most effective and appropriate for the situation that I am dealing with (as long as it is approved
by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission).
Are you licensed?
Yes. I am licensed by the state of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and I carry
city and county occupational licenses.
Are you insured?
Yes. I carry commercial general liability insurance with coverage up to $500,000. I will provide a
certificate of insurance upon request.
Do you carry workers comp?
Non-construction industry sole proprietors and partners are AUTOMATICALLY EXEMPT by Florida Law, from the provisions
of Chapter 440, Florida Statutes (Florida Workers' Compensation Law). However, companies with 3 or more employees
must carry worker's comp.
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