Pete - Herpers.org?

[navi-c]

I just found a "help wanted" ad for Weeks Industries, which appears to do a similar type of work as
SnakeBusters, except on a larger scale. Their website is: http://www.herpers.org/

Have you heard of them? Good, bad, indifferent?

I'm considering applying (even though the season is almost over). It would work really well for me since I'm in school.

I'd appreciate any input on the company or their reputation.

Thanks!

[brain]

What does a property exam entail for you?
-Z !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We search the entire property, the house, and any attractants like water (pools, hot tubs, wetlands), piles of stuff, pet foods, fruit plants, and other rodent attractants.

We estimate the types of snakes to be expected, and we do a short intro to these and other snakes, including hots. We also teach the people how to act around a snake. I do a lot of fear reduction therapy as we describe the herps.

We check buildings for access for snake food, and snakes. A complete exterior search, and under mobile homes.

We offer solutions to most person/snake encounter.

I have no idea what we charge.

Birthday parties are $100/hr. Got one the 26th.

SB has been slow. No hots yet this year, except one coral snake. Mostly black racers and yellow rat snakes (got one that went into a wall last week, and no call back from the owner. It's still in the wall). Been doing these for free since '92, I think. We still make money on tips.
Got $50 dollars once, but normally $10-$20 or so.. And I usually tell them that for $100, I won't put the snake in their car.

We also do all of our school and Scouts programs for free. Public libraries usually pay $50.

It's TOO COOL. I love it!

later,
Teach someone the Golden Rule.

[brain]

Most of the SB calls are handled over the phone. I can ID most snakes over the phone, and most people decide to leave the snake alone or do a pillow case capture, once they learn about the snake.

Arm in pillow case, grab the snake (teeth too short to hit skin), shake the pillow case off the arm and over the snake. Take bag out side, and find a good place to release the snake. Zip-Zop!

If a description says a hot or an exotic, or is too vague, we go. If the person is too frightened, we go. If it involves children, we go.

"We" is my wife and I, and she (bless her heart) has been doing most of the capture calls lately (my feet), and she hasn't been bitten yet! She
NEVER thought this is what she would grow up to be doing!

The ID is almost always a racer or a rat snake, so we describe what it's doing in THEIR yard or house or screened-in pool (that one's easy. Just leave the screen door open). A little knowledge goes a LONG way, and most people are very cool with the snakes once they learn all the stats.

Most of the time, racers and rat snakes are in the yard eating anoles by the hundreds, and the houses are surrounded by landscaping that holds
THOUSANDS of anoles and green tree frogs. Most of the time, the snake just FALLS into a house or garage, and will eventually follow the edges and go back outside.

As to accepting tips, I will NEVER turn down FREE MONEY! Makes me a
"Professional Herpetologist".

WHAT A GOOF! My life's dream (seriously), and it happened. When I think of it, I feel like it's my birthday most every day.

later,
Teach someone the Golden Rule.

[navi-c]

<VBG>

-Z

[navi-c]

What does a property exam entail for you?

[Seneka]

Also, every snake that has any brown on its head is a copperhead.

[jomohrer]

And every monitor lizard longer than about 12 inches, regardless of color, is a man eating 'gator, here in Cleveland.

[brain]

I've responded to 7 rattlesnake calls this year, and came home with 7
Texas Rat Snakes. EVERY snake down here is considered a
"rattlesnake," because most of these snakes don't hesitate to rattle their tails when disturbed. Plus, the TX Rats have a somewhat similar pattern to the _atrox_, and they sure are a lot meaner than any rattler!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ain't it a GAS?

later,
Teach someone the Golden Rule.

[brain]

Got $50 dollars once, but normally $10-$20 or so.. And I usually tell them that for $100, I won't put the snake in their car.
I *knew* it was too good to be true. <G>
It's TOO COOL. I love it! <VBG>
-Z !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I might point out that we MIGHT get a tip once out of every 20 calls or so.

later,
Teach someone the Golden Rule.