Jennifer and Ben Munger are the owners of the Gardiner based business Wildlife Busters, a full service wildlife management company that provides information, consultation and resolution of human/wildlife conflict for both commercial and residential property owners. They are Wildlife Nuisance Control Operators who are licensed by and regulated through the DEC. The wildlife management services industry generates over $22 billion dollars nationally.
Jennifer grew up on Long Island and Ben was raised in Orange County. The couple met in college, at SUNY Cortland, and moved to Manhattan to pursue careers in the financial services industry. They became Gardiner weekenders after September 11, 2001. They enjoyed their fast-paced and challenging Wall Street careers, but when their son Jason was born in 2004 they realized that their true passions were their family and the outdoors. After 17 years of city living they moved permanently to Gardiner in 2006.
Ben has always been active (he was a spring board and platform diver in college) and he is an outdoor enthusiast who frequented the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park as a child. Jenn appreciates the peace, quiet and diversity of flora and fauna that Gardiner has to offer and was excited about using her analytical skills and marketing background to start a new business in the area. At this time a friend serendipitously introduced Ben to the wildlife management industry. So the entrepreneurial husband and wife team threw themselves at the challenges of becoming experts in their chosen new field. They read everything they could about critters, attended wildlife control seminars, were trained in bird exclusion techniques and bat conservation, and Ben became a licensed wildlife control officer for the State of New York.
Jenn and Ben’s skill sets compliment each other and the success of their business demonstrates this. After only three years in the industry their services are in demand and they are looking to hire young energetic wildlife enthusiasts to assist in growing their recently incorporated company. They currently have one full time employee and a few part timers.
Wildlife Busters serves the Greater Hudson Valley. What sets them apart from other wildlife managers is that they are a full service company that strives to eliminate a customer’s particular issue. Trapping and removing is only part of what they do. Their mission statement is to provide “professional humane solutions to human wildlife conflicts.” According to Jenn, “ Wildlife has the purest intentions. Their entire life revolves around three main objectives; food, shelter, and looking for a mate to procreate. Therefore, the more difficult you make it for them to obtain their objectives on your property, the less likely you are to encounter [them]. “ For instance, removing bird feeders can dramatically reduce squirrel and chipmunk populations. If squirrels are the problem, tree branches located close to the roof must be removed. On many jobs Ben and his employees must eliminate access and egress points into and out of a building. After that has been accomplished, conditions surrounding the edifice that are favorable for unwanted wildlife must be altered to prevent future infestation. Jenn wants to “provide value that is above and beyond the point of service.” Their web site, www.WildlifeBusters.com, gives seasonal information about human/wildlife conflicts and employment opportunities.
Ben and Jenn left the rat race of the city for the bat and squirrel chase of the country. Ben has managed to stay bite free and continues to love his work. Jenn is content developing new internet marketing strategies to expand the business. You can contact them at (917) 750-5884 or toll free at (855) 945-1212.