Pitt-Johnstown’s rent-free residents are rounded up and evicted once a year, according to Physical Plant Director Andy Csikos.

Csikos said an outside contractor traps wild animals, including groundhogs and skunks, and relocates them several miles from campus.

“We relocate wildlife that causes a problem,” Csikos said.”We relocate beehives… we’ve relocated four bears.”

Csikos said specifically groundhogs create the most problems because they burrow in public places where people walk and the grass is kept short. He said damaged tractors and broken legs are a concern.

He said they are great little critters, but they make big holes.

Csikos said deer are not a concern; they sleep on campus but do not cause problems. He said he does not trust bears. He said they think they can find food in garbage and get comfortable roaming campus, but they are unpredictable and can be dangerous.

Ed Westwood, owner of Westwood pest control service, said he does not perform pest-control services at Pitt-Johnstown, but he described some common pest-control solutions.

Westwood said to get rid of groundhogs nesting in storm drains, he first surveys the area to see what is possible.

“It’s a free estimate,” Westwood said. “I just need to see… what I’m dealing with; if I can get a trap in there or if repellant will work.”

Westwood said he uses different repellant scents for different animals

He said for problematic bears, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will trap and relocate.

“You can call up the Game Commission. They have barrels for bears… some of the bears are 600 pounds.”