NWCO - Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Common Mammal Control Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client reports a raccoon is consistently accessing their roof by climbing a downspout to enter an uncapped chimney. Where is the most effective and efficient placement for a single live-capture cage trap?
- In the middle of the yard, heavily baited with sweet food.
- Directly on the roof, as a positive set over the chimney flue. (Correct answer)
- On the ground at the base of the downspout.
- Inside the fireplace on the ground floor.
Correct answer: Directly on the roof, as a positive set over the chimney flue.
The most effective trapping strategy, known as a positive set, places the trap directly in the animal's path at the entry/exit point. [10, 18] This ensures the target animal is captured as it leaves or enters its den, minimizing the chance of catching non-target animals and guaranteeing removal of the problem animal.
Question 2: A NWCO is hired for a squirrel removal and exclusion project in a residential attic in early April. What critical biological factor must be considered before sealing any entry points?
- The squirrels are likely entering their brief hibernation period.
- It is the peak of the second mating season of the year.
- The presence of a first litter of helpless, dependent young. (Correct answer)
- Adult squirrels will be difficult to trap due to food scarcity.
Correct answer: The presence of a first litter of helpless, dependent young.
Gray squirrels have two main breeding seasons, with the first litter of young typically born between February and April. [2, 7] Sealing an entry point during this time without first confirming that no young are present risks trapping the helpless kits inside, leading to their death, decomposition, and significant odor issues. [5]
Question 3: A client reports hearing "chattering, scampering, and the sound of nuts rolling" coming from their attic, primarily during the daytime and especially in the early morning. Which of the following mammals is the most likely culprit?
- Norway rats
- Little brown bats
- An opossum
- Gray squirrels (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Gray squirrels
Gray squirrels are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. [1, 3] The sounds described—scampering, chattering vocalizations, and the rolling of stored nuts—are all highly characteristic of squirrel activity in an attic. [8] Rats, bats, and opossums are primarily nocturnal.
Question 4: After removing a groundhog from under a shed, a NWCO installs a heavy-gauge wire mesh barrier around the structure's base to prevent re-entry. To be most effective against future digging, how should the bottom edge of this mesh be configured?
- Buried 2 feet straight down into the soil.
- Bent at a 90-degree angle to form an "L" shape extending outward from the structure. (Correct answer)
- Left at ground level and secured with landscape staples.
- Bent at a 45-degree angle inward under the shed.
Correct answer: Bent at a 90-degree angle to form an "L" shape extending outward from the structure.
Burrowing animals instinctively dig down at the base of a vertical barrier. Installing the mesh with an L-shaped footer that extends outward horizontally just below the surface creates a barrier they cannot dig under. [15, 28] This is the industry-standard technique for excluding digging animals.
Question 5: When cleaning a designated raccoon latrine, a NWCO must wear appropriate PPE, including a respirator, to prevent the accidental inhalation or ingestion of microscopic eggs from a parasite known to cause severe neurological damage in humans. What is this parasite?
- Giardia lamblia
- Hantavirus
- Baylisascaris procyonis (Raccoon Roundworm) (Correct answer)
- Sarcoptes scabiei (Mange mite)
Correct answer: Baylisascaris procyonis (Raccoon Roundworm)
Baylisascaris procyonis, or raccoon roundworm, is a parasite whose eggs are shed in raccoon feces. [12, 14] If inhaled or ingested by humans, the larvae can migrate to the brain, eyes, and other organs, causing severe and sometimes fatal neurological disease. [16, 21] This makes proper PPE and cleanup procedures at raccoon latrines essential.
Question 6: Which of the following describes a "positive set" in the context of trapping a nuisance mammal?
- A trap that is guaranteed to catch an animal within 24 hours.
- Using a highly attractive bait that the target animal cannot resist.
- Placing a trap directly over a den opening, forcing the animal to enter upon exit. (Correct answer)
- A set that uses both a visual lure and a scented bait simultaneously.
Correct answer: Placing a trap directly over a den opening, forcing the animal to enter upon exit.
A positive set involves placing a trap, often a cage or body-gripping trap, directly over the animal's only entry/exit point and using fencing or other materials to funnel the animal into it. [22, 27] This method requires no bait and ensures only the target animal leaving or entering the den is captured.
NWCO - Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Common Mammal Control Questions and Answers
A client reports a raccoon is consistently accessing their roof by climbing a downspout to enter an uncapped chimney.
Where is the most effective and efficient placement for a single live-capture cage trap?