Questions About Nuisance Animals and Critter Catchers

How did I get started in the biz?

My dad taught me how to trap when I was a kid. I grew up spending most of my time on my grandparents' farm where my dad worked. I spent my time helping on the farm, exploring the land, hunting, and trapping. Then I trapped for fur bearers, such as fox, coyotes, raccoon, and muskrat mostly. Years later in 1999, my sister had something killing her chickens on her farm. Knowing my experience trapping, she called me to trap the culprit. It ended up being raccoons. I was on my knees resetting a trap after a successful catch, when I got the idea wondered if anybody else had these problems. She helped me make business cards and it all started there.

How long have you been doing this?

I have been trapping my whole life. I got the idea for the biz in 1999. It all really started generating business in 2000. I worked as an electrician and did animal removal until 2005 when I was fortunate enough to do Critter Catchers full time.

What is your service area?

We have roughly a 40 mile radius from Neenah where we are based, ranging from Green Bay to Fond du Lac, to New London, Berlin, Wild Rose, Sheboygan, and all the Fox Cities.

Is there a charge?

Well, as we all know, nobody works for free. It is impossible. There are lots of expenses running an animal removal business, including gas, insurance (liability, health, and vehicle), bait, traps, vehicle maintenance, paperwork, advertising, etc. The charges vary on the travel distance to and from job site and the type of problem each unique job can create. Exact prices can be explained by phone.

Do you handle any bugs or insects?

No. You can find an expert to handle this problem for you in the yellow pages of your local directory, under Pest Control.

Do you have my dog or cat?

We do not deal with any domestic animals. You would have to contact your local humane society or police station. The number for the local Humane Society in the Fox Cities is 733-1717.

I found a baby or injured animal. Do you handle this?

For a charge, we will pick the animal up for you, but most people don't want to pay for such a thing. So here are some places to call and bring the animal yourself.

Windy River Animal Rehabilitation 920-982-6825
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary 920-391-3671
1000 Island 920-766-4733
Appleton Animal Medical Center 920-749-1717
Saving Paws Animal Rescue 920-832-2392

What is your most common animal to remove?

The most common are squirrels and raccoons, probably followed by woodchucks and bats.

Doesn't anyone do this for free?

No, they do not. There are agencies to deal with domestic animals, but not wild ones. If the animal is destroying your property, it is your responsibility.

Which animals do you remove?

We specialize in bats, birds, and all nuisance wildlife. Meaning anything with wings, four legs, or no legs - we handle it!

What type of traps do you use?

Every unique call has different circumstances. If the customer is okay with it, we use lethal and live traps, whichever best fits the situation. We try to trap animals live as often as possible, but to be quite honest, in some situations it is impossible to live trap the animal.