Wildescapes

unknown

This was a Wednesday night. Mr. Novak showed me where he placed the trap and led me to believe the squirrel would be caught by Thursday or Friday at the latest. Once the squirrel was trapped, I was directed to phone him and he would remove the trapped squirrel for an additional $100.00. The squirrel didn't take the bait, so I contacted him Friday night to ask him his plan B. At first he was confused by the question. Then he said he would open a hole in the garage and wait for it to come out and then catch it. He did not quote a price for this, and it sounded like a crazy plan to me. At that time (but NOT at the initial appointment), Mr. Novak quoted me another price to close up eight entry points (in my attic I presume, but he wasn't clear) for $590.00. He did not explain these entry points, although I have six attic vents, two of which are capped, so I was confused. He had only been in my attic once and that was at night. With six vents, two capped, I'm thinking four entry points. I could not imagine having a stranger in my garage for an unspecified amount of time waiting for a wild animal to emerge. He could charge me anything! But he didn't bother to quote what that might be. Or how he was going to catch it. As I homeowner, I want to know from an expert in his or her field what I should expect and how much the cost will be. I did some research on my own and found a website posted by a wildlife management expert. It was very detailed, but the information that applied to my experience with Mr. Novak is that a trap placed in the attic is the least effective trap for catching a squirrel. For one, they usually can get out and forage outdoors, so bait isn't appealing to them. The best trap is one set outdoors at their point of exit. The squirrel doesn't see it, but when it exits, it's caught. This website also gave recommended pest control companies who know what they're doing all over the US. I phoned the recommended company in my area and discussed my experience with Mr. Novak. The helpful lady confirmed that they never set a trap indoors, but one at the exit because it's the most effective. She said she has had several phone calls from disgruntled customers as myself who wasted money with Mr. Novak. I would like to say that Mr. Novak seemed very personable and sincere, and I do not wish him any harm. That said, I do not wish other homeowners to waste money for a service that will not solve a potentially dangerous problem. The website I mentioned above said that house fires have been started by rodents chewing electrical wires. It may be that I in fact have eight points of entry. I run a business myself and I do not expect my clients to understand my field of expertise, so I take time to explain what I do and why I do it before I ever take their money. Do your research before phoning an animal removal company so that you know what to expect and can ask appropriate questions. Don't pay $195.00 for a trap in your attic. It won't work.