So a lady calls from Florida saying that her son (about 30 miles from me) has had problems with nutria in his back yard from the canal that runs behind his house. Someone told him to put out rat poison so he did, all over his back yard. He knew a family of them were living under his shed and now at least one had died under the shed. Its been long enough that is stinks very badly. Mom is willing to pay to have the dead removed and trapping for the others. Now she says her son is out of town for a few weeks and this "house" is a double with tenants in the other half. The shed is too low to the ground to get under and she will be coming in soon to pay me.
Issues:
1. Owner is not there to sign papers and I suspect does not know mom is doing this.
2. Dead nutria / maggot soup under shed. Havent figured out how to get that out.
3. Trust mom in Florida to come pay me?
4. Tenants in other half may not know why I'm there. My truck is not labeled.

#4-Talk to neighbors and let them know what's up, and if they have doubts, tell them to step outside and take a few deep breaths near opening.
#3-Have her send check in mail or have in hand when she get's there.
#2-Very looong pole with scoop on end.
#1-Get contact phone # and talk to him.

Good luck!

Credit card over the phone, or at least have her send you an email approving the work for proof if court is needed. Or just trust that she will send a check.
Chimney rods with a hook on end, if you can see it, you can pull it out. More tricky if you can't pinpoint it.

It's the busy season, I would move on from it especially if nobody is around and you're on someone else's property without their knowledge. Plenty of work out there, personally wouldn't do work on a property where the individual who resides at the physical address wasn't aware of my presence at their residence.

Agree with TDHP!


In the age of electronic signatures, emails, and faxes, theres no reason you can't get written permission to get this done.

Unless the mother has power of attorney, her signature is worthless as sending you to trap the White House and giving you her permission. When property is rented, the tenants have a legal right to the land and trespass.
More to the point, you aer now on a property where someone has put out poison and as there is only heresay, you can be blamed. If a pet dies, people get irate and call the police, as much as tenants, and you are the one who will be dealing with the police in trying to explain things.
You need the owner's signature and in knowing the tenants have rights.

When things get this complicated, run away from the situation instead of walking. It is not worth it.

make a loooooong catch pole, kinda, with electrical conduit, so you can reach a dozen feet or more.
that is
AFTER you get a contract signed

Extension catch poles come in handy and are simple to make. Paint poles work well too for the application, just remove the ends and make the head and tail.