Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Bat and Bird Management 1 Flashcards

During which period should bat exclusion work be avoided to prevent trapping flightless young inside a structure?

Answer: May through mid-August

Bat maternity season typically runs from May through mid-August, during which pups are born and cannot yet fly. Performing exclusions during this window traps juveniles inside, leading to die-offs, odor problems, and potential legal violations under state wildlife regulations.

Which of the following bird species is NOT protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)?

Answer: European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

European Starlings, along with House Sparrows and Rock Pigeons, are non-native introduced species explicitly excluded from MBTA protections. This allows NWCOs to control them without federal permits, unlike native migratory species such as swallows and robins.

How does a properly installed one-way bat exclusion tube or flap function?

Answer: It allows bats to crawl out but collapses or closes to prevent re-entry

A one-way exclusion device is designed so that the bat's outward movement opens the tube or flap, but the device closes behind them, preventing re-entry. This allows the entire colony to self-evacuate over several nights without being harmed or trapped.

What is the primary advantage of bird netting over bird spikes when excluding pigeons from a large open warehouse interior?

Answer: Netting creates a complete physical barrier that covers expansive open volumes

Bird spikes are only effective along narrow ledges and perching surfaces. In a large interior space, pigeons can roost on rafters, beams, and overhead equipment. Properly installed exclusion netting creates a complete physical barrier across the entire zone, making it the preferred method for interior warehouse exclusion.

Which bat species is most commonly encountered roosting in residential attics across the continental United States?

Answer: Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

The Big Brown Bat is the most frequently encountered species in residential attic situations throughout the continental U.S. due to its strong preference for man-made structures. The Indiana Bat is federally endangered and rarely found in buildings; the Hoary Bat is migratory and roosts in trees; the Mexican Free-tailed Bat is common in large colonies in the Southwest but less often in residential attics in northern regions.

What is the MINIMUM level of respiratory protection considered appropriate when disturbing and cleaning a large accumulation of bat or bird droppings?

Answer: An N100 or P100 half-face respirator with disposable coveralls

Dried bat and bird guano can contain Histoplasma capsulatum fungal spores that become airborne when disturbed. An N100 or P100 respirator provides 99.97% filtration efficiency against airborne particulates, significantly better than an N95. Disposable coveralls and gloves are also required to prevent skin contact and cross-contamination.