Tips for hiring a pro

Just because you got a name or number from a State or local agency or a website does not mean you are speaking to a licensed & insured professional wildlife removal expert.

Asking a couple of questions up front over the phone can tell you right away who you are speaking with. Ask right up front if they can provide an insurance certificate, this is a question you should ask of any type of contractor working on your property. Any insurance agent in the country can have a liability or workers compensation certificate with your name and address on it faxed directly to you by the end of the same day

Another great question is who you would be making a check out to?" A check made out to an individual should raise red flags for anyone.

Asking a professional how they do their work is not always a fair question, you may only be seeking information in order to make an educated decision, but often people are just looking for free advice and try to do the work themselves, great care should be taken when considering whether or not to deal with a rabies vector yourself and even greater care should be given when evaluating advice on non lethal techniques given by advocacy group on the internet. They do not always have your best interests in mind.

Asking about birthing seasons or wildlife biology is a fair question and any tech coming to your home should be able to discuss those issues with you.

Asking for a PAC (problem animal control) permit is also a fair question, make sure the tech that is sent to your home has a PAC permit, these are issued only to individuals, not companies and require testing in basic biology and continuing education in up to date wildlife management techniques, all individuals controlling wildlife in Massachusetts are required to have one.