THE BAT GUY

Ron & Judy Scheller

308 E 3rd South

Mt. Olive, IL 62069

217-710-2919

thebatguy@frontiernet.net

CHEMICAL-FREE WILDLIFE & BIRD CONTROL

SPECIALIZING IN BAT EXCLUSIONS & BAT-PROOFING

RACCOONS - OPOSSUMS - SQUIRRELS - GROUNDHOGS

MOLES - BEAVERS - MUSKRATS - CHIPMUNKS & MORE

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CHIMNEY CAP INSTALLATION  -  VENT COVERS AND SCREENS

ANIMAL EXCLUSION WORK

Thank you for visiting our site, and we hope you find the information we have to offer helpful. Our interest in wildlife goes back to the days of fishing and camping as kids, chasing snakes and frogs when the fish weren't biting. Many years of wildlife observation, nature hikes, and trapping have refined our understanding of animal habits and actions. The wildlife control business evolved from many years of trapping, observing, and studying animal behavior.

We enjoy hiking through the woods and observing wildlife as much as anyone, but there are times when wild animals become a nuisance, especially in urban areas. We are experiencing record high population levels of many species, and conflicts are rapidly increasing as animals are adapting to urban environments. Due to damages, diseases, and dangers to humans and pets, co-existence is often not a sensible option. We can provide solutions to most problems between humans and wildlife, and never use chemicals or poisons in our control programs.

We have been involved in animal damage control work for over 30 years, having provided assistance to area farmers and property owners since the mid '70's. We have operated our nuisance wildlife control business on a commercial basis since 1990. We use selective trapping methods in our control efforts, and are licensed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a commercial wildlife control service. We are fully insured and provide various types of wildlife control programs for residential or commercial properties.

Since poisons and chemicals are not environmentally friendly and often harm animals other than the intended species, we only use traps and methods approved by the IDNR and handle all animals in compliance with IDNR standards. We do not promote using any poisons, as it can pose a danger for people and pets, besides possibly causing secondary poisoning which can be harmful for many important predators. Chemical use is not selective and is not compatible with nature.

We take a personal interest in each wildlife control job, and prefer to treat people as "clients" instead of "customers". We teach our clients about the animals and their habits, and want them to understand the process and methods we use. Taking time to educate people about the animals and their habits can often be helpful not only to the client but also for our company. Very few people realize how many diseases and health risks are involved when wildlife decides to "take over" your home. For some reason the "cute" animals are tolerated much more than the "ugly" ones, which demonstrates very poor judgement by some homeowners.

Our company is definitely a family operation. My wife Judy and I often work as a team, and our son Clayt helps out also. My interest in animals started when my dad would "drag" me along on his winter traplines when I was very young. I was shown the skills and methods to catch our area furbearers, and started doing some winter fur trapping on my own way back in grade school (about 1970). I caught muskrats, raccoons, opossums, and mink. Winter trapping instills a deep connection and understanding of nature.

As our business started to grow, it became more difficult to tend to all the traps each day. My wife became licensed in 1997, allowing us to handle more calls and still check our traps on the 24 hour state-required time frame. She has been hanging around me too long, as I have her grabbing 'possums by the tail and even vacuuming bird droppings and bat guano in full EPA suit and respirator. I guess some day I'll have to learn how to use that dishwasher.......

The most common animals we deal with are raccoons, squirrels, bats, groundhogs, opossums, beavers, pigeons, starlings and sparrows. Other animals we work with include flying squirrels, skunks, muskrats, chipmunks, snakes, moles, voles, mice and rats (no poisons or chemicals). We can work with other types of animals, but are not allowed to control deer, ducks, geese, or domestic animals like cats and dogs. We offer chimney cap installations, attic vent screening, lower deck screening, and other animal exclusion and damage prevention programs. We offer gutter cleaning service as the acorns, seeds and organic debris in gutters will attract rodents which may then enter your attic and wall spaces. We own our own towable boom lift, scissors lift, and personal manlift which allows us to reach higher areas with added safety. We also offer attic or complete structure inspections for wildlife damage.

We are located in south central Illinois, about 50 miles south of Springfield. We are about 45 miles north of St. Louis. Except for bats, our service area covers about a 40 mile radius. Since we specialize in bat exclusions, we cover much of Illinois for bats, and St. Louis (MO) and surrounding area. Our typical service area in Illinois is about a 150-mile radius. Some of the outermost areas where we do many bat exclusions include Quincy, Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Carbondale, Effingham, Ste. Genevieve (MO), Troy (MO).

We are approved by Bat Conservation International as a certified professional bat exclusion company. As a BCI-approved company, we conform to the highest standards for bat control work. We use no chemicals, and do not use traps for bats. We use a systematic exclusion procedure, which allows the bats to leave the structure but not return into it. Our bat exclusion programs promote positive bat conservation practices.

I host many programs each year for schools, and take school groups on nature field trips, especially relating to animal habitats. I often visit the classrooms to share information about certain animals which they may be learning about. The wildlife control work provides some interesting animals to bring into the classrooms, which allows the students to get a close-up look of many animals they would most likely never get to see. Hosting programs for conservation groups and other organizations keeps me busy as well, as I enjoy being able to share information ranging from the benefits of bats to the latest info on wildlife issues. 

We have a large list of clients if you would like a reference list. We have handled thousands of animals over the years, and continue to add new clients every year as we solve their conflicts with nuisance wildlife at their homes or properties. If you are experiencing a problem relating to wildlife, contact us with any questions you may have. We will always try to help you resolve the problem. If you are out of our service area, we may be able to refer you to another WCO that services your area. If you have a unique problem that we can't help with, we may be able to steer you in the right direction for help.

This photo was taken 7-11-05 in New London, Missouri as I was bat-proofing an old courthouse which was undergoing a major renovation. This building is on the National Historic Registry, and I proudly add it to my list of major structures which have required very detailed sealing work and bat exclusion programs. The sealing work on this particular structure was closely monitored, as the finished repairs and sealing had to blend with the original appearance of the historic building. We provide service to commercial or residential clients, ranging from tiny homes to large buildings, and have performed bat exclusion services for churches, schools, condos and other commercial buildings. We treat every structure as if it were our own home, providing the best exclusion methods possible while maintaining cosmetics.

ANIMAL REMOVAL  -  WILDLIFE REMOVAL  -  BIRD CONTROL  -  ANIMAL DAMAGE CONTROL



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