Wildlife Control Techniques and Safety Flashcards

What is the recommended minimum distance to maintain when approaching a potentially rabid raccoon?

Answer: 20 feet

A minimum distance of 20 feet is recommended when approaching a potentially rabid animal to reduce the risk of sudden lunging or aggressive contact.

Which type of personal protective equipment is MOST critical when handling a bat suspected of carrying rabies?

Answer: Thick leather gloves

Thick leather gloves are the most critical PPE for bat handling because rabies transmission occurs through bites, and bat teeth can penetrate thin materials.

When using a catch pole on a medium-sized mammal, where should the loop be positioned?

Answer: Around the neck with one front leg through the loop

The safest catch pole technique places the loop around the neck with one front leg included, distributing pressure and preventing choking or cervical injury.

What is the primary safety concern when using chemical repellents containing naphthalene in an enclosed attic space?

Answer: Toxic vapor inhalation by the operator

Naphthalene produces toxic vapors that concentrate in enclosed spaces, posing serious inhalation risks to operators working in attics without proper respiratory protection.

During a skunk removal operation, which approach minimizes the probability of the animal spraying?

Answer: Slow, steady approach with a covered trap

A slow, steady approach with a covered trap reduces visual stimuli and stress, which are the primary triggers for a skunk's defensive spray response.

What should an NWCO operator do FIRST upon discovering a dead animal in a client's crawl space?

Answer: Assess for signs of disease and don appropriate PPE before handling

Assessing the carcass for disease indicators and donning appropriate PPE before any handling is the correct first step to protect the operator from zoonotic pathogens.