Critter Control Funds University Research Project

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Critter Control announces a grant to Utah State University to fund a research project on the Avoidance of Competition between U.S. Wildlife Services and private sector Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCO's).

The research will be conducted by Gary Bezzant, a graduate student at USU. Wildlife Services (WS) is the arm of the Federal Government responsible "for maintaining healthy, viable wildlife populations and for assisting citizens when wildlife comes into conflict with human interests." Private businesses also exist with the purpose of providing assistance in the face of human-wildlife conflict. Wildlife Services Directive 4.220 deals with "avoidance of competition with private business." The directive cites a history of involvement and cooperation with the private pest control industry through and that "WS operations have rarely come into conflict with private business interests." The directive also states that "WS will not provide a bid in response to an advertised request," as well as several guidelines to "avoid the appearance of competition."

These guidelines include ensuring jurisdiction, discussing management methods, and discussing private sector assistance available. The directive also emphasizes along with Directive 2.201 (WS Decision Model) that "wildlife damage management services are provided only in response to requests for assistance."

The private businesses, often referred to as Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCO's), have some concerns as to whether or not WS is truly operating under their directive to avoid competition with private business. As a result some NWCO's are concerned about WS ability to provide services at a lower cost diminishing the profitability of the NWCO's business. Stories and actual concerns of competition such as Yellow Page ads placed by county extension services in California on behalf of WS, and Virginia trappers losing contracts to WS, will be investigated.

The study is proposed to investigate what "avoidance of competition" means to WS as well as NWCO's. The proposed study would investigate WS professionals and NWCO's awareness of the directive as well as their understanding of its meaning. The directive would also be compared to similar directives or policies in other agencies as well as looking into its enforceability. NWCO's could also be surveyed to determine their level of concern with the topic and WS could be surveyed regarding their own compliance with the directive.

The proposed study should provide insight for both WS and NWCO's as to how the other entity understands the directive to avoid competition and provide information that will aid in better defining some of the more vague terminology of the directive. The study should also provide information that would help those with future concerns regarding the directive to understand its enforceability and scope.

For further information contact Critter Control President Mike Dwyer at (614) 832-4320.