1st Response Wildlife - Tucson's Humane Animal Trapping & Removal Services

Gila Monster Education

Gila Monsters (Monstruo de Gila) are one of only a few venomous lizards in the world and the largest lizard native to the United States.   They are protected and you should observe but not bother them or try and capture one.  They have a mild neurotoxin but, do not have fangs.  Rather the venom is released through grooves in their teeth when they latch on to a small animal or your finger as they chew.   It is best to keep your children and pets away from them because, as with most wild animals, they can and will bite if they are bothered and feel threatened.

Their skin is beautifully designed in what looks like tiny beads in patterns of black, pink, yellow and/or orange.  They can grow up to 2’ in length and, because they store up fat in their tails, can go for months without eating.  In fact, if you see Gila Monsters in the spring or early summer, you may observe that their tails are slimmer than those seen in the late summer and fall because they find more prey in the late spring and summer than the winter months.

Their diet consists of eggs found in nests and young rodents they find in tunnels that pack rats make, burrows of mice, round tailed ground squirrel mounds and the like.  The Gila Monsters are able to climb walls, trees, and are good at tunneling and digging into ground dwellings where they find burrowing prey.

In the video, you will see extremely rare footage of a Gila Monster consuming its prey.  I observed and filmed it, just as it was finishing a meal of a round tailed ground squirrel it had pulled out of the burrow in the background.  Since this Gila Monster found an active burrow, after it completed its meal, I watched it go right back to that same burrow, in search of another meal.

 

Gila Monsters spend as much as 95% of their life underground in burrows they make or have taken over from other burrowing animals.  If you happen to see a Monstruo de Gila, it is either taking advantage of the sun to warm itself or on the move to look for food.  There are exceptions to when and where you may see Gilas, however. One of my customers saw one several times in his back yard at night until, one night it climbed up his wall and went over into his neighbor’s yard.

Once again, these are beautiful lizards and, for the most part, create no immediate threat to humans.  They are protected, are beneficial in helping keep down the rodent population but, on occasion, may become worrisome to a homeowner who may fear for the safety of their children, pets, or just feel nervous around reptiles.  If you find that this is the case, please call 1^st Response Wildlife and, as a licensed professional, I will help you better understand what can be done about your “Gila,” and, if necessary, move it to another location.

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla) , coatimundi (gato solo), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Whip Snake and Gila Monster Vs Glue Boards – Rescued and Removed by 1st Response Wildlife

If any homeowner or business has had a scorpion, roach, cricket, spider, or any other insect problem, the solution suggested by Do-it-yourself sites on the internet or supplied by Pest Control Companies almost always includes spraying around perimeters as well as glue board leave-behinds.  Glue boards, pictured below, contain sticky long lasting glue that easily catches and holds insects that choose to walk through this container-placed along walls and especially close to garage door openings, and storage closets and where insects have been seen.

 

These glue boards are effective and help control the entrance of insects as well as act as good indicators of whether or not the perimeter spraying has reduced the number of insects around the property.  Having said that, however, the glue that lines the bottom, sides, and top of these little boxes is also strong enough to adhere to and hold snakes and Gila Monsters.

1^st Response Wildlife has been called to homes and businesses on a number of occasions where a snake or Gila Monster has entered a garage or storage area that either had its door left open or, in some cases, a rodent had chewed an entrance hole into a space and the snake entered looking for a meal.

Here we see a Whip Snake that has been rescued from a glue board entanglement that is being rehabilitated by 1^st Response Wildlife before it is returned to the wild.

 

Here is a close up of a Gila Monster that was found in a garage with its head stuck in a glue board box after apparently going after a cricket or some other insect that was stuck in the glue.  This close-up picture clearly shows that all the glue has been removed and it is now being released back into the wild.

 

In both cases, after using a technique that frees the animal, care is taken to hold it in a safe container until all traces of glue are confirmed removed and the animal is fully able to move around and capable of returning to the wild.  Only then is the snake or Gila Monster returned safely back into the wild.

Ultimately, the animal is not permanently impacted by the effects of the glue but, if the business owner or homeowner does not call a Wildlife Service to come, catch, and release the animal, the glue is strong enough that the animal cannot extricate itself and will eventually starve to death.  It is imperative to recognize that these glue board boxes are effective in insect control but also present a danger to animals that can be following their prey and become stuck.  Instructions from a Do-it-yourself site on the internet or a Pest Control Company rarely include guidelines for checking glue boxes routinely for animal capture but, 1^st Response Wildlife would like to suggest that businesses and homeowners keep an eye out for animal activity when glue boxes are placed around and inside one’s property.

If you find that you have an animal stuck in a glue box and would like it humanely removed, rehabilitated, and returned to the wild, please give 1^st Response a call.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

 

 

Pack rat Removal and Destruction Addressed by 1st Response Wildlife

Pack rats in Arizona are more than a nuisance.  They are destructive, dangerous, and everywhere!  Many believe Javelina are the most destructive because of their size and what they can do to plants, cactus, and property.  Pack rats, however, are even more destructive because they can climb over walls, squeeze into spaces in attics, businesses, sheds, grills, foundations, automobiles, and just about anywhere they can be assured there is darkness and protection from their predators.  Once established, they gnaw wood, wire, PVC, grill or pool covers, and, basically set up shop. Since they can move into people living areas, they also can bring disease into your home or business in a way that external animals, like Javelina, cannot. 

Books have been written by Rodentologists that highlight their success in rat removal in large cities, urban communities, food warehouses, and businesses.  None of them, however have apparently tackled writing about and actually dealing with pack rats that live in Arizona.  Their primary approach is to educate the business or city maintenance workers to remove or reduce a food source and the expected result is to encourage Norway or brown rats to choose other places to live.  Here in Arizona, however, we are surrounded by desert, with unlimited food supplies, shelter material and access to homes, businesses, cactus, and rock outcroppings, and much of the food source and protective material is natural.  There is no way to get rid of all the pack rats which live all around us, so, they just keep coming.

The stories from homeowners and businesses that trap and remove pack rats include repeated nesting and destruction from pack rats that occupy the nests, attics, grills, storage spaces, and the roots of cactus within days of the removal of one rat.  1^st Response Wildlife is called by dozens of business owners, Property Management Companies, and homeowners to consult with them about a pack rat problem.  The key to understanding pack rats and determining what to do about them is to first recognize the damage they can do, then identify where they are living, consider their lifestyle, the conditions that exist in a given location where there is a pack rat problem, and how it can be addressed long term.  

Pest Control companies provide a service to try and keep the numbers of pack rats low but, they really are not in the business of educating the public and addressing the larger pack rat problems that are present when pack rats invade a home, business, or the plants around the property.  True, some number of pack rats will be trapped or even poisoned by a Pest Control service but, once a pack rat finds entry to a home or business, a more specific and long term strategy to get the rats out of the home or business must be employed.  Again, 1^st Response Wildlife works with Pest Control companies to augment their services, actually go into attics, roofs, and homes or businesses and work to immediately remove and make those areas unattractive for future pack rats.  

Pack rats, except when they have and are raising their young, are primarily solitary dwellers.  This means that, unless young are present, there is usually just one pack rat in a nest.   This also means that when the young move on from their mother, they must find their own place to live.  As this happens, and a relatively safe place is found-either an empty nest left by another pack rat, or a new, relatively safe location, the pack rat sets about creating their own abode.  They collect material which, in many cases, includes protective Cholla cactus sections that makes it more difficult for the animals, raptors, and reptiles that feed on them to enter their nest. Snakes-rattlesnakes, king snakes, and gopher snakes, along with Ringtails, Gila Monsters, and Owls, are not easily deterred by those barriers in the wild, however.   Pack rats will, in any event, keep trying to keep as many of their predators away from their "runs," as possible. Below is an example of what a pack rat has done to create a Cholla-lined pathway to its hole which makes it difficult for a bobcat or coyote, feral cat, or even a curious dog to walk up to the hole because of the risk of getting cactus in its feet.

When a pack rat is trapped from a nest, it leaves behind its scent, droppings, urine smell, and its nesting material and, before long, another pack rat moves in and begins to add material to that nest.  Nesting material can be comprised of just about anything.  Here is an example of twigs, mesquite and Palo Verde pods.

Here is more nesting material, rocks, and sticks-filled with natural food-pods from desert trees

Here is a pack rat nest in the base of an Agave.

Here is an example of a pack rat nest that is almost hidden in a pool edge garden of Lantana,

Close by, the nesting material, which includes Cholla cactus sections has spilled out of the Hesperaloe parviflora, with the nesting activity becoming more obvious as winter approaches because of the added material brought in to ensure insulation.

Close by, for protection at night and partially during the day, a pack rat has created entrance and exit holes in a pool cover that gives it shelter from raptors, dogs, and bobcats, while having easy entrance and exits when it is foraging for food and shelter material.

More damage to the pool cover.

Automobiles and trucks are also a favorite nesting area for pack rats.  There are untold numbers of Arizona residents who have left a car/truck outside and discovered, to their dismay, that trying to start it after a period of time results in no response from the engine, or discovering, after lifting the hood, a whole collection of material has filled the engine area.  It may cost thousands of dollars in rewiring and also it is a very time consuming job of removing cactus, pods, and any other material-all the while trying not to get stuck by cactus or other material that is in between wires, battery or engine parts.  The really frustrating part of this situation is that removing the material and trapping the rat which has done the damage does not guarantee that another rat will not take up residence immediately and start bringing in material again, chewing on wires, and leaving its droppings.  (1^st Response Wildlife has worked with a number of these situations to help vehicle owners come up with a strategy to reduce a repeat pack rat infestation.)

Three ideas that many try to prevent pack rat nesting in an outside vehicle are; 1. Leaving the hood up over night with a light in the engine-since pack rats do not like a lot of light and; 2. Buying a gadget called Rid-a-rat that is sold by many hardware stores.  This device has wires that connect to the car battery and then has a light which has a magnet on the back which directs the vehicle owner to attach it to the firewall.  Some swear by this device and others, like the owner of this truck below, where a Rid-a-rat was installed, would tell you that they absolutely do not work, and; 3. There are a number of companies that advertise an electronic device that had an ultra-high sound that a person cannot hear but, supposedly, it is a deterrent for rodents.  Again, research and homeowner’s experience, do not substantiate any significant success with these devices.

And then, of course, there are the homeowners who find that pack rats can climb and, especially, as winter approaches, any easy entrance to an attic, laundry room, shed, or grill, provides an excellent warm and safe-from-predator home for winter habitat and a great location for birthing and raising a whole new family of pack rats-just in time for spring.

1^st Response Wildlife worked with a homeowner who heard noises under the roof and in the attic and, when water started dripping and the inspection of the attic showed significant pack rat droppings, further inspection showed pack rats had chewed PVC water pipes and made a home in the ceiling-ruining the ceiling.  Below, you can see an example of PVC with rat gnawing (in other parts of the water pipe, the pack rats chewed all the way through and the water ruined the ceiling, drywall, piping and the whole area had to be cleaned out in order to be replaced.)

This is the insulation filled with rat feces and nesting material.

Here is the ceiling with the insulation, drywall and insulation removed.

The bottom-line of this whole discussion is that pack rats are here to stay.  They are destructive in many different ways, live as happily in the desert as in and around your house and it is only by understanding their behavior, habitat, and the potential damage they can cause when they get into the wrong places that a business, Property Management Company, or homeowner, can protect their property and vehicles from pack rats choosing the wrong place to call home.  1^st Response Wildlife has helped dozens of homeowners, businesses, and Property Management Companies with their pack rat problems.  1^st Response Wildlife believes that everyone with a pack rat problem needs to get involved in discussing and agreeing on the best way to remove the rats but, everyone should also be involved in looking at the longer term value of participating in a plan to keep future pack rat damage from occurring.

If you have pack rats in and around your property, hear gnawing noises at night in your walls or attics, discover droppings in a closet, shed, grill, or nesting material in a garage, attic, or somewhere it should not be, please consider giving 1^st Response Wildlife a call.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Reptile Education, Demonstrations, and Discussion by 1st Response Wildlife

The state of Arizona is home to the largest number of venomous snakes, the largest land lizard in the United States and the only venomous one.  In addition, during Monsoon season, the Sonoran Desert Toad (aka Colorado River Toad) emerges from its hiding place underground, to feed and reproduce.  Not all species in the southeast are either venomous or, in the case of the Sonoran Desert Toad, have powerful toxins.  Arizona also is home to a number of non-venomous reptiles that are helpful in controlling the rodent and insect population.

Knowing the difference between the venomous species and the non-venomous species that live in and around homes, businesses, schools, parks, trails, and storage sheds, can be lifesaving.  There are dozens and dozens of snake bites a year in Arizona with associated medical costs that can, with a significant envenomization, cost well over $100,000 to treat.  In addition to the cost, the discomfort, recovery period and permanent limb and nerve damage can be devastating.

1^st Response Wildlife provides an on-call service to identify, remove, and relocate all species of reptiles.  With 25 + years of handling reptiles, and dealing with the homeowners and businesses professionally, 1^st Response Wildlife is uniquely prepared to provide educational sessions to businesses, schools, Dude Ranches, property management companies, organizations, and groups interested in learning how to identify our reptiles and avoid snakebites.

!st Response Wildlife is licensed and has well over a dozen rattlesnakes from Arizona, South America, Mexico, and California. Education of the public is a cornerstone of and a requirement of the license to "Hold," venomous reptiles.  With this license Ist Response Wildlife stands ready and is available to provide sessions on reptile safety, identification of different types of reptiles, and recognizing which ones have which type of venom (hemotoxin/neurotoxin, or both).  Attendees find it valuable to see the differences between a pit viper (rattlesnakes) and non venomous snakes such as king snakes, gopher snakes and exotic constrictors.  1^st Response Wildlife will work with the educational site ahead of time to decide which species to bring.

Below are some of the reptiles that a site hosting an educational session can choose from for a session.  Reptiles are transported and displayed in locked enclosures and, with the exception, if requested, of non-venomous reptiles-which students or attendees may wish to handle, there is no danger from venomous or non-venomous reptiles.

Below is a short list of reptiles which are available for an educational session:

Sidwinder

Western Diamondback

 Albino Rattlesnake

Black Tailed Rattlesnake

Gopher Snake (approx 5'), non-venomous

Arizona Black

Mountain King Snake (approx 4') non-venomous

Mojave

Gila Monster

Patternless Rattlesnake-Rare, Pictured below

Schools, colleges, universities, and other non-profit can, host an educational session with 1^st Response Wildlife.

Homeowners, hikers, property management companies, businesses, playgrounds, and school yards all encounter snakes, lizards, and toads.  If your organization, school, property management company, ranch, or business would like to have 1^st Response Wildlife provide education and discussion that would help you identify and better understand how to protect your students, family, pets, or customers, yet recognize and leave helpful reptiles alone to help with rodent and insect control, please give 1^st Response Wildlife a call. And, if, after a session, there is a need to install an exclusion barrier around your property or business to keep unwanted reptiles out, 1^st Response Wildlife would be happy to discuss the service options for this level of protection as well.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), cayotes, pigeons, owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Animal Education, Animal Capture, Animal Trapping, Animal Rescue, Animal Relocation-1st Response Wildlife Does It All!

Southern Arizona, the Sonoran Desert, and greater Tucson are homes to a number of wild animals.  Many are beautiful, when observed in the wild, but can be a threat to small pets, children, and a nuisance to a business or residence.  The Arizona Game and Fish Department has very clear guidelines for approaching situations where an animal or reptile is observed on and around property.  Whenever possible, the protocol is to observe, accommodate, film, and appreciate our wildlife-but not disturb.

However, if you, as a homeowner, a business owner, a Property Management Company, or a renter, feel that an animal, reptile, or even a dog has become destructive, a nuisance, or a threat to yourself, your family, or a pet, please consider giving 1^st Response Wildlife a call to discuss your options.

The general rule of thumb, 1^st Response Wildlife follows, is to first listen, understand, and investigate a concern.  Information and education about a particular animal may be all that is necessary to put one’s mind at ease.  However, if an animal or reptile turns out to be an orphan, is living too close to a home, burrowing under sheds, decks, and/or is destructive or threatening in nature, then a plan of action which often includes an open free style capture, trapping the animal, or even rescuing it, may be the best response.  In most cases, nuisance animals, reptiles, and birds, will be relocated to a safe but distant location from where they were captured. (Birds, rescued/retrieved from a chimney, often will be released immediately, in the area where they were captured-after the chimney/entry point has been sealed up, to ensure they remain in their home area but do not venture back down into an open-ended chimney stack.)

The list of animals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds which 1^st Response Wildlife works with customers to better understand and direct the recommended plan of action, is quite extensive.  With the exception of protected species and those which need special one-time permits from Arizona Game and Fish Department to remove and relocate, services available to homeowners, businesses, Property Management Companies, and renters include Education, Capture, Trapping, Rescuing, Relocation, and seminars about:

Animals and Reptiles of Arizona, Bobcats, Raccoons, Ringtails, Coatimundi, Foxes, Skunks, Squirrels, Pack Rats, Harris’ Antelope Squirrels, Kangaroo Rats, Rabbits, Gophers, Round Tailed Ground Squirrels, Lizards-exotic and regional, Colorado River Toads (aka Sonoran Desert Toad) Tortoises, Bats, Gila Monsters, Owls, Buzzards, Ducks, Hawks, Rattlesnakes-any species, Gopher Snakes, King Snakes, Night Snakes, Long Nosed Snakes, exotic snakes (which may have been released), Coyotes, Dogs, other former pets-Peacocks, Iguana, etc..  Special permits can be obtained by a homeowner or business for specific bird and animal removal or deterrents, but it is best to check with 1^st Response Wildlife and AZGFD for larger animals, such as Javelina, Puma, Bears, Badgers, etc.

Part of the service 1^st Response Wildlife offers, in addition to its primary work directly with animals, is giving seminars on reptiles or animals in Arizona, as well as helping homeowners, businesses, and Property Management Organizations better understand how to live with our diverse population of animals and reptiles.  Frequent discussions about how to snake-proof your home, how to keep rock squirrels, mice, and skunks from returning to your property, and in-depth property and building inspections to point out and close up points of entry for unwanted “guests,” is a key part of "a day on-the-job" for 1^st Response Wildlife.

If you have small children, animals or feel that animals, reptiles, or birds, native to the area should not be living as close to your family or business as they are currently, please give 1^st Response Wildlife a call to discuss safe and humane ways to work to potentially relocate them.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

 

Marana’s Founders’ Day Visitors Enjoy Seeing Native Reptiles

March 7^th, Marana’s Heritage Conservancy celebrated its 36^th annual Founders’ Day celebration at Ora Mae Harn Park, 13250 N. Lon Adams Road in Marana.  1^st Response Wildlife had a booth at the park where it exhibited 7 rattlesnakes, two non venomous snakes, a Gila monster and 1^st Response Reptile and Animals of the Sonoran Desert Guide Books for visitors to see.

1^st Response Wildlife’s booth was located in the “kids,” section of the exhibits, nestled between the Martial Arts/Gym exhibits, in front of the climbing wall and next to the snow cone booth.  Families, couples, Firemen, Policemen, and other interested parties took time to view the rattlers in their locked displays, page through the Guide Book's pictures, ask questions and, for those more adventuresome, hold and get their picture taken with one of the non-venomous snakes.

1^st Response Wildlife brought representative examples of 7 of the rattlers, native to Arizona some of which, however, are not found in the immediate area surrounding Tucson or Marana.  The fact that visitors could view and ask about the various reptiles from different parts of Arizona made it more interesting than just seeing the common varieties to the immediate area.  In addition, since 1^st Response Wildlife is in the business of trapping and relocating nuisance animals, as well as reptiles, lizards, and exotics, many visitors commented on finding value in being able to page through the 1^st Response Wildlife Animal Guide Book, which have pictures of a majority of the animals common to Arizona, some not seen either in the area, or rarely seen at all because they are primarily nocturnal.

The exhibit below had the following on display: Venomous snakes-Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Arizona Black Rattlesnake, Speckled Rattlesnake, Sidewinder Rattlesnake, Black Tail Rattlesnake, Mojave Rattlesnake, and Tiger Rattlesnake.  Venomous Lizard-Gila Monster. Non-venomous-Northern Mountain King Snake and Gopher snake. (Note the venomous snakes have locks on the displays, but to the right, in the front, is a simple glass enclosure with the Gopher snake in it that is secure, but not locked.  This is because this particular Gopher snake is one of the “education,” reptiles and has proven to be gentle. In the back left of the exhibit, you can see the 1st Response Wildlife Guide Books on the table.)

 

 

Several children and some adults asked and were allowed to experience holding and taking pictures with one or more of the non-venomous Gopher and Northern Mountain King Snakes.  These snakes remained friendly and provided visitors with an experience of getting up close to a reptile without fear.  Here we see an adult getting a chance to handle a gopher snake.  The following picture is of a child getting to know a gopher snake.

 

 

All in all, it was a good, but long day for visitors and, certainly there were a number of children who expressed interest in reading this blog to find out more details on reptiles and animals of the Sonoran Desert.

If you have any nuisance animals, reptiles, or even exotics that you find on your property and would like help in understanding what can be done to discourage them, or would like to have them removed, please do not hesitate to give 1^st Response Wildlife a call.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 

Tucson 1st Response Wildlife Gives Back With Educational Sessions

The Arizona Sonoran Desert is recognized world-wide for its diversity of animal and plant life-some only found here in our area.  We are blessed to have the largest number of rattlesnake species, strong populations of amphibians, mammals, and birds, and a supporting climate that allows the species found here to thrive.

While 1st Response Wildlife is focused on the core business of humanely capturing, relocating and, if an animal is orphaned or hurt, working with rehabilitation organizations to bring that animal along, when possible, to a point where it can be released back into the wild, there is another aspect of its mission, which is to educate the public.

It is surprising that so many residents of Tucson, Oro Valley, Green Valley, Marana, Catalina, and Sahuarita live in close proximity to this plethura of animal life and yet, may not ever see, understand, or appreciate those species that live just on the other side of their walls or along the trails they hike.  Some of our animals and reptiles are gorgeous and helpful and others are dangerous.

As a trapper, licensed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, a key part of the mission of 1st Response Wildlife is to educate the public about how to interact with our wildlife particularly in regards to those that can be harmful and especially the ones that are commonly encountered by you, your children, and pets. Seeing those animals, reptiles, and amphibians in person and hearing the facts relating to the appropriate responses one should employ if they are encountered, helps protect family and pets from harm. While we are blessed to have a place where much of the wildlife in our area can be seen up close-the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, there are still many unanswered questions and thousands of children and residents who would benefit from a more personal educational session that allows for questions and answers and first hand experiences and facts which 1st Response Wildife can provide.

One of the ways 1st Response Wildlife gives back to the community is through educational sessions where either slide shows, accompanied by talks regarding these animals are presented or, sessions, where a few representative specimens, when possible, are brought along, as part of a demonstration to help the public understand their "neighbors."  Being able to identify and understand when and how to respond in a situation where one encounters an animal or reptile, can save a life!

Recently 1st Response Wildife had the opportunity to bring several specimens to a school and conduct two sessions in a safe outdoor setting.  The sessions encompassed demonstrations of non-venomous constrictors (snakes that capture and kill by constricting and suffocting their prey-rather than using venom) of Arizona as well as some venomous reptiles and one amphibian. Children were encouraged to view the dangerous species, safely housed in display cages and, for the non-venomous species, they were encouraged and allowed to inspect, touch, and feel their cool smooth scales. 

Below is a video that takes into account the scene where a Gopher Snake and a Mountain King Snake are held for the children while, on the table, between the two presenters, the venomous species are safely housed for viewing, but not touching.

http://youtu.be/TxVTaRJupfw

Below is a picture of children touching the beautiful Mountain King Snake-a constrictor that eats rats, mice, and even rattlesnakes

 

Children being introduced to a Gopher Snake-another constrictor that eats pack rats, mice, etc.

 

Safely housed in a display case is a Mojave Rattler-its venom contains both neurotoxins and hemotoxins.

 

Beside the Mojave is a Western Diamondback Rattler, probably the most common rattlesnake found around greater Tucson-its venom is a hemotoxin.

Most often seen after a Monsoon rain, the Sonoran Desert Toad (aka Colorado River Toad), is extremely dangerous to pets and can cause allergic reactions in people if handled without gloves.

The Gila Monster lives underground most of the time and eats round tailed squirrels, pack rats, eggs, etc.

 

Along with these demonstrations, 1st Response Wildlife also educates the attendees about the reptiles and amphibian lifestyles, dangers, and what to do if they are encountered.

If you would like to have 1st Response Wildlife come and present to your Home Owner's Association, school, business, or organization, please feel free to give 1st Response Wildlife a call and an educational session can be set up with live specimens or powerpoint slides. Discussions will include habitats, how to react when encountering animals, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as what to do if you, your children, or pets are bitten.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, squirrels (ardilla), coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Pack Rat Trapping and Removal

Pack Rats are everywhere!  When they create their dens far from homes, cars, and businesses, they happily multiply and live out their lives.  They are, however, a favorite prey of raptors, reptiles, and other predators like Ringtail, Foxes, Skunks, and an occasional Coyote. If they take up residence in close proximity to your home or business, things change and they begin to affect you and they can be a real nuisance.  

The name Pack Rat actually covers a number of different species of “Wood Rats,” which live in the southwest.  These little guys build nests and dens in almost anything-rocks, around the roots of Prickly Pear and Agave cactus, your car engine, your grill, in your shed, in your attic, the walls of your home, or behind a storage bin on your patio.   You often discover them when you come across a debris pile, called midden, that can contain Cholla sections, Prickly Pear “ears,” or when you try to start a car/truck that has sat outside for some time and it refuses to start.   (There are lots of stories in Tucson and surrounding areas of $1000+ expenditures to repair the wires of a truck or car that has had Pack Rat damage, a TV service call to investigate a cable outage, or a sprinkler hose leak-all associated with these "rats.")

One of the interesting things I have learned about Pack Rats, in addition to their behavior, and their destructive/nuisance nature, is their value to botanists who research desert/arid plant life over long time periods.  They are called paleobotanists. Packrats will urinate on their midden.  The urine crystallizes and hardens into a substance called amberat.  The amberat, in its hardened form and with the dry conditions in Arizona, actually creates a historical record which, over time, has allowed paleobotanists to look through the contents of the midden and determine what the vegetation was around the time the den was constructed and material gathered to construct the den-kind of a self contained time capsule, if you will.

For the most part, the majority of my Pack Rat calls are related to customer sites where the Pack Rats have become a nuisance.  What customers report are noises in their attic, piles of debris around the base of cactus, their sheds, and holes under the house stuffed with Cholla sections, etc.  Since Pack Rats are, for the most part, nocturnal, unless you surprise one, you will see their midden, but not the rat.  Here is a little fellow that was curious enough, over night, to find himself in my trap.

 

Here is a picture of where he was living.

 

Here is a picture of the midden that he collected to surround his den.

 

What is almost as annoying as having Pack Rats in and around your business and home, is knowing that trapping and removing a Pack Rat from your property is not the end of the story.  Pack Rats are opportunists and, when a den is vacated-after its resident is trapped, another Pack Rat will happily take up residence in that same den, making it larger and adding its own midden.

The best approach to getting rid of a Pack Rat, and subsequent residents of the den/nest you find, is to give 1^st Response Wildlife a call and, along with my trapping service, I can remove the midden and treat the area so that other Pack Rats are discouraged from taking up residence in the same place.  If I trap Pack Rats in your attic or walls, similarly, the entrance holes must be plugged to keep others out. 

Thanks, Wildman Josh :)

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla), coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Arizona Game and Fish Urban Wildlife & 1st Response Wildlife

AZ Game and Fish Urban Wildlife

I believe one of the most important parts of my responsibilities as a licensed humane trapper and relocation expert of animals, reptiles and birds of the Sonoran Desert, is helping my customers understand the rich mix of animals, reptiles and birds we enjoy.  I do not automatically hurry to capture and remove animals that are not injured or sick without talking to my clients about their individual situation and what they are experiencing with some animal that is found in and around their business or home.

Working closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, I carefully consider and discuss what is occurring and then, with my clients discuss the principles that the state of Arizona has in place to deal with an animal or reptile.  In many cases, a business owner or home owner can, with a little education, learn how to either live with, accommodate, or discourage an animal from being a nuisance and, one of the best resources I use is to refer them to the Arizona Game and Fish Urban Wildlife web pages, where there are extensive videos, discussions and suggestions concerning the wildlife in Arizona. 

This website, http://www.azgfd.com/w_c/urban_wildlife.shtml represents a great compendium of information and also represents the commitment that Arizona has to helping you co-exist with the animals we find here.  Along with my blog, I find that my clients are more comfortable with my approach, suggestions and, if I really do need to remove, relocate, or capture and take an animal or reptile to a rehabilitation center, everyone involved, including the critters, have a better outcome.

I communicate with Arizona Game and Fish on a regular basis and, in fact, their regulations in managing wildlife require that I keep them informed about my work as well as report and seek counsel on an ongoing basis so they can better understand what I see happening with wildlife, where it is happening, and how our wildlife management can be improved.

For more information about my approach to helping you with your wildlife questions, nuisance animals, or injured or sick critters, rattlesnakes, and bats, feel free to contact 1^st Response Wildlife, www.1stResponseWildlife.com, or my cell at 520-260-9517.  If you want to read more in-depth explanations and descriptions of our extensive animal and reptile population and find ideas on how you can co-exist with them, you will find that the Urban Wildlife section of the Arizona Game and Fish website, above, is an excellent resource.

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla) , coatimundi (gato solo), exotics, and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Gila Monster Removal, Rescue & Relocation

Gila Monster rescued and ready for relocation

Josh removed this Gila Monster from a client's home to be relocated no more than 25 feet in any direction from their property due to the Arizona Game and Fish law that protects Gila Monsters from being moved away from their dens. Gila Monsters only come out during the monsoon season and also during the Spring. They spend 90% of their lives in their dens. 

If you see a Gila Monster, keep a safe distance and call Josh at 1st Response Wildlife at 520-260-9517 right away and do not attempt to approach it or touch it as they are venomous wildlife. Josh will respond promptly and professionally 24/7 to relocate this special desert creature to a safer place.

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla) , coatimundi (gato solo), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Josh Waling, Humane Wildlife Catch/Release

Licensed Animal Trapper in Arizona

Cell: 520-260-9517

Hours of Operation: 24/7

Location: Tucson, Arizona (surrounding areas)

Email: [email protected]

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and relocates and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla), rock squirrels, Colorado River Toads (Sonoran Desert Toads)coatimundi (gato solo), ringtail, skunks (zorrillo), gophers, coyotes, badgers, Javelina, exotics, and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Scroll down to follow me and see posts with photos, videos, and educational information on the wonderful animals, and reptiles that call southern Arizona their home. 

Thanks, from 1st Response Wildlife~Josh!

Tucson Humane Wildlife Animal Trapping & Removal

Hi, my name is Josh Waling and I have loved animals since the day I was born. I live in the heart of the Sonoran Desert-Tucson, Arizona, which is one of the most unique places in the world. We have as much indigenous wildlife as the Peruvian and Amazon jungles. I have been catching and handling exotic reptiles for over 25 years. I've been humanely trapping nuisance wildlife here in the Sonoran Desert for 10+ years and I love my job. I get to help sick, injured or orphaned animals find their way back to the wild. I also like to educate the public about our animals here in the Sonoran Desert to help both people and wildlife live together harmoniously. My passion is reptiles, but I have found a love for working with all animals including bobcats, skunks, rattlesnakes, coyotes, ringtails, raccoons, coatimundi, badgers, javelina, and even domestic dogs. So, I hope everyone will enjoy following my adventures. Check out the posts, videos and pictures below to see what I've been up to lately. :) Since I have a GoPro head mounted camera, and a number of field cameras that capture photos and video day or night, if there are any animals or reptiles you would like to see that I haven't posted, feel free to email me.

 Give me a call if you need help with any animals that may have found their way onto your property and need to find a way back to their home, ask for an education session or just call for information on animals you would like to know more about. I would be happy to chat with you and, if you need my services, I will be there in a timely and professional fashion to remove them from your home and help them find their way back to either nature or a proper rehab facility. Thanks!

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Thanks. Josh

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), skunks, coyotes, pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, pigeons bats, squirrels (ardilla), coatimundi (gato solo), coyotes, badgers, possums, javelina, ringtail, rock squirrels, exotics, and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!