AboutStephen Vantassel Expertise I can assist the public in responding to all kinds of wildlife related problems in the United States and Canada, including birds, mice, rats, skunks, raccoons, beavers, opossums, voles, moles, chipmunks, woodchucks, pocket gophers, and more. My passion is wildlife damage identification, for if you don't know what animal is causing the problem, you can't begin to resolve it responsibly.
Experience I was a full time animal damage controller for over 5 years and a part-time animal damage controller for over 10. I have been a volunteer for AllExperts.com for over 5 years under the Pest Control Category, when they graciously created a new category that better suited my experience (I don't answer bug questions). I was a licensed animal controller in both Massachusetts, Connecticut and Nebraska. I presently run the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, http://icwdm.org.
Organizations National Wildlife Control Operators Association, Community Integrated Pest Management group at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Publications I have published two books (both revised), The Wildlife Removal Handbook rev. ed. and the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook rev. ed. Additionally, I have written articles which have appeared in Wildlife Control Technology Magazine, Fur-Fish & Game, The Trapper, The Fur Taker, The Probe, and others. I have co-authored wildlife related publications for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension program and was responsible for revising the handbook designed for the Pest Controllers looking to obtain their category 14 license.
Education/Credentials I was a trapper education instructor for the state of Massachusetts, and have attended a variety of conferences and trainings.
Awards and Honors Certified Wildlife Control Operator
Question I live in KY.I have a racoon that is killing my tame rabbits at night. It is reaching into the cages and eating my rabbits. It started with the young ones and is working its way to the big ones. I have done some things that seem to have worked at keeping it away for now. I have set a few small steel traps and have played a radio every night for the last week, but I don't know how long that will last. Any advise?
Answer If you are not experienced with footholds, which I assume is what you meant by steel traps (cage traps are also steel), then don't use them. Footholds are a wonderful tool when in experienced hands but they have been the favorite fund raiser for animal rights protest industry activists who use photos of often illegal sets to get this equipment banned. For some reason the public bans traps when a few use them wrong but they don't use the same logic on cars. Go figure.
the other issue is what happens if you catch a skunk in the foothold? Are you prepared to deal with it? If not spring and remove the traps now!!
I would tighten the screen on your cages to 1/4 inch weave. You could offset 1/2 inch screen over the screen you have to make it more difficult for the raccoon to get a paw in. If the raccoon can't reach inside, he can't kill your rabbits. Don't waste your time with the radio. Urban raccoons aren't afraid of noises or lights.
