Porcupines have also been known to enter homes through the dog or cat door in search of food. However, in certain regions, porcupines can be a serious menace. If that wasnt enough, the quills have an oily substance on them that can cause burning and itching as well as disease. Indeed, many people who have never seen a live porcupine are accustomed to seeing their carcasses along roads. The main ingredient in hot sauce? If you have used a lethal trap, porcupine quills are still a threat to you. We service over 500 USA locations! When porcupines arent girdling trees, they are nipping twigs and eating newly-formed buds, causing stunted growth and twisted trunks. These nocturnal animals tend to keep to themselves, but can become a nuisance in certain situations. This site is intended to provide education and information about how to keep porcupines away from your house, yard, garbage cans, shed, so that you can make an informed decision They also have soft, brown-black guard hairs throughout their . Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006),28(1), 76-83. Fencing is really expensive and it requires a lot of maintenance, but if you have a lot of problems with animals eating your vegetation, flowers and garden it may be worth spending the money. Please consult a pest control professional before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com. Can You Dry Colors And Darks Together? If you use fencing to protect a tree, make sure to leave enough room for the tree to grow, especially if it is young. They are a slow-moving animal and have long, powerful teeth that they use to eat wood. However, most of our pets have not learned that lesson and they can be seriously or very painfully injured from encounters with porcupines. The idea of porcupines munching on wood always baffled me. When you're using dried, or ground, cayenne pepper, you'll need about 2 tablespoons for every gallon of water. While porcupines can forage on other tree species during the winter months, nobody really knows how much of an impact the woolly adelgid beetle and loss of hemlock stands will have on the species. Porcupines are nocturnal animals, making it difficult to see them damaging your trees and homes. Porcupines are also attracted to the glue used to bond plywood on wooden structures. Each 1.25 lbs will protect approximately 50 sq. Once threatened, porcupines will chatter their teeth and produce a chemical odor to warn off predators. Click here to While many predators are capable of eating them, porcupines are a fairly risky food item and most predators leave them alone except in times of desperation. - Top Remedies! Porcupines are great climbers so extra precautions are necessary. Copyright 2020 by Wildlife Animal Control. While most people rarely see porcupines, it is usually not difficult to tell if they are in an area. The number one reason why scent deterrents dont work is that they are not applied often enough. The strong scent will make it difficult for the porcupine to locate food in the area, encouraging it to trundle off to another location. Fix Guide. Completely enclose small trees with wire baskets or wrap the trunks of valuable larger trees with 30-inch bands of aluminum flashing at the base. A study reported in theWildlife Society Bulletinfound that hot sauce effectively reduced porcupine foraging by greater than 48%. Since homes are made of wood, these can also be susceptible to wood damage. Don't leave standing water in the yard or garden. The six scents that porcupines hate include: Some of these scents work by beingtaste repellents, such as hot sauce, while others are so fragrant that they mask the scent of potential food, encouraging porcupines to look for food elsewhere. Alaska Wildlife News is an online magazine published by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Install a fence on your property. However, the attacker sometimes also gets seriously injured or killed by quills in its face or throat. I could see the same idea here with porcupines. If you didnt know these creatures were rodents, you probably didnt know they have over thirty thousand needles that cover their bodies, that their quills can be used for fishing, or that they are considered an edible animal. Experts in Wildlife Help suggest using fruits soaked in saltwater. Start by building a fence around trees, gardens, and where damage has been most prevalent. Woods, A. J., & Zeglen, S. (2003, October). Some porcupine remedies include hot sauce or commercial repellents placed on areas prone to chewing, but the success rate of repellents leaves much to be desired. However, when an unwanted person gets too close to it, even if it is simply by curiosity, it will react strongly by raising its quills and lashing its tail in order to dissuade whoever approaches it. Right Way to Wash! Hierarchical habitat selection by North American porcupines in southern boreal forest. If your plan of keeping them off your lawn isnt successful, what do you do? you wish to attempt to solve the problem yourself. You can get traps at most hardware or garden stores and some animal control officers will either let you rent one or will come out and set the traps themselves. Typically two by three-inch fencing, galvanized or plastic-coated for resistance to the weather, will exclude woodchucks, raccoons and opossums, but not small rodents. repel porcupines. This is the typical trap used for different animals. Several drops of liquid soap gives the spray extra sticking power. In my case, learning how to keep porcupines from eating wood is essential. Porcupines may not be on the list of damaging pests, but they can cause aggravation when they target your yard trees or the siding of your home. How To Put Up Led Lights Without Ruining The Paint? Sachets can be used as both a passive deterrent and an active deterrent. An animal that takes up residence under or near a home poses a threat to all of the occupants in the dwelling, be they human or animal. It eats them. The percentage of menthol is higher in spearmint than in peppermint. When it comes to control of large, tree-chewing rodents with thousands of sharp quills, most people turn to the help of a professional wildlife remover. Probably the easiest and simplest way to deter porcupines from visiting your estate is to establish a fence around it. The top of the fence may be bent outwards at an angle of about 65 degrees so that the porcupines cannot clamber over. Closed canopies discourage porcupines from entering the area. Porcupines love to chew wood! They are attracted to almost any object that has been handled by humans because of the salt found in human sweat. According to theNational Pesticide Information Center, citronella contains three main repellent ingredients: These three babies combine to make both an insect and animal repellent. if you need to deal with a porcupine problem. Use a live trap. They scuttle about in the night, making noises in the basement or attic, and when, Read More 15 Scents That Rats Hate (and How to Use Them)Continue, There are almost 50,000 species of spiders on the planet. This ensures that the porcupine will need to step on the trigger plate in order to reach the food. If you are from another state, please indicate your interest by signing up for notification when your state is added. Previous How can we keep Canada geese away from our pond? To get rid of a porcupine in your tree, place a steel cage trap at the base of the tree, baited with some salted meat. Spring Egg Mass Identification in the Great Northern Forests With winter concluding in Northern New England and already, Ever since my first introduction to the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) of Vermont back in high school I was, While kayaking in a town wetland a couple months ago I noticed a slow-moving trail of bubbles ahead, Egg Mass Identification in the Great Northern Forests. A number of larger predators like coyotes, great horned owls and bobcats will take an occasional porcupine, but these predators have little impact on porcupine numbers. This keeps animals from burrowing underneath or jumping over the fence. I am in Just spray the surface of anything the porcupine wants to eat and it will stop. nuzzle porcupines, which may cause considerable medical problems if the stock are not treated promptly. Nests of porcupines eat tree bark and are drawn to wood structures in general. Avoid wooden fences, as porcupines like to gnaw on wood. Porcupines are strictly herbivores, preferring a diet of fruits, foliage, leaves, and twigs. Must-Know! What animal would strip the bark off a tree? Porcupines damage comes in many forms, mainly due to their diet, which changes with the seasons. These will attract porcupines. Visit our Terms and Conditions for more information. Identifying and Preventing Porcupine Damage to Trees. To control Porcupine invaders, we recommend using a combination of the Solutions Humane Live Trap and Nature's Defense repellent. Specifically, it is the ingredientcapsaicin. Remember to read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels. Lavender is a perennial herb that gives off a strong scent. Another option is to buy a pre-made solution. provide tips for safe, effective, and responsible wildlife removal. Impact of feeding Damage by the porcupine on western hemlock Sitka spruce forests of north-coastal British Columbia: 15-year results. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and give your rose bushes a good soaking. Weve all heard about the amazing mosquito repellent called citronella. As much as Id love to believe arboreal beavers inhabit woodlands around my house in central Vermont, it was highly unlikely. Beavers take first place in that regard. Siding is usually attacked because of the bonding glue in plywood. Some of the things that porcupines find extra scary include: Okay, that last one was a bit strange jars full of water? 2. Start by building a fence around trees, gardens, and where damage has been most prevalent. Theyve become household items for their many different uses and scents. Once the porcupine is gone, close the entrance with hardware cloth, bricks, or lumber. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Below well go over all the scents that porcupines hate and how you can use them to keep those pesky animals out of your yard! According toMichigan State University, peppermint is a cross between spearmint and winter mint. Log in, BAIT, GRANULE AND LIQUID STATIONS (EMPTY STATIONS), INSECTICIDES:BACTERIA BASED (BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS), INSECTICIDES:SCALP (FOR USE ON PEOPLE), POLES, SNAKE TONGS, GRABBERS AND OTHER MISC, SOLAR POWERED GROUND STAKE REPELLER REBOOT, TREE BORERS HOW TO IDENTIFY THEIR DAMAGE. Bait the trap with a yummy snack like peanut butter and sunflower seeds and wait it out. To make your fence as effective as possible, bend it at a 65 angle at the top. Simply because its natural, cheap, and I dont need to go outside my home to prepare it. Your email address will not be published. Transfer it into a spray bottle and spray it on your wooden furniture and structures at least once per day. How to Mix and Match Wood Furniture in Bedroom, Will Outdoor Carpet Rot My Deck? Soak them in saltwater to smell and look tastier to porcupines. There are plenty of repellents on the market for deer, squirrels, insects, and mice, but what about porcupines? 2 Wear gloves when handling the trap, to keep your scent off it. Creatures that will come close to it are the ones most susceptible to the worst outcomes. This is a particular favorite of pulp outdoor literature. Porcupines are not overtly aggressive, but they still have teeth if their quills dont get your first. More in-detail how-to porcupine removal articles: Its not easy. Repellents based on capsaicin (hot sauce is the active ingredient), thiram (a fungicide), or other mammal repellents could be applied. Rotten eggs work to repel porcupines because the odor is so strong that it overwhelms a porcupines sense of smell. Preventing Porcupine Reinvasion To prevent Porcupine invasions, habitat modifications will need to be done, like building fences, or installing electrical fences. Once you have confirmed Porcupine activity, this is where you will apply treatment. So, I usually go with the comprehensive method of keeping them away. Most porcupines' diet changes depending on the season. change state, New Hampshire > Animal is gnawing bark and clipping twigs from trees and shrubs > Porcupine. . Once the animal is caught, if you want to relocate it, it must be at least 40km away from your home. Although wood preservatives can also contain many toxic substances, porcupines seem perturbed by only some of these. Its these two ingredients that help repel porcupines. Information about porcupine trapping - analysis and methods for how to trap. WHERE TO USE IT: Spray PEST-RID thoroughly in all areas where animal pests bask, feed, are seen or there is evidence of their presence such as droppings, claw marks or chewed plants. Spearmint and peppermint whats the difference? How To Get Residue Off Laminate Floors - Complete Guide! This liquid repellent has very little odor to people but to animals, its repulsive. Electric Fences. Youd need to reapply this every time it rained, though. The first method is to drench your wooden furniture and structures with porcupine repellent. A proper face mask, eye protection, gloves, etc. If you are not sure, contact us and we will try to assist with identification. This prevents vital nutrients from reaching the other parts of the trees. Bio Explorer explores the insight into the different porcupine species' diets, how porcupines hunt if they do, when they eat, how often they eat, what they eat porcupines and their role in the . If youre in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. For this, you simply need to place bait inside the trap, and then ensure that the traps enclosure will be kept closed even if the porcupine moves and tries to escape. You will need to survey the area to see where they are active and what may be attracting them to the area. There are also water repellent systems like motion activated sprinkler systems that will spray the porcupine if it comes close to the place where you set it up. The second reason is that hot sauce has a very pungent and strong odor. ft. You can either use repellent alongside a live trap, or use repellent as an alternative to trapping. Contact your local city or county government to inquire further. Spearmint is an herb in the mint family. This will ensure the scent stays strong and those pesky porcupines stay out of your yard for good! Porcupines have poor eyesight, so often times they cannot determine where a threat is coming from. Fencing is a great way to protect vulnerable trees and gardens. This page is a general Porcupine control guide. Car tires and hoses may also be chewed on for their mineral content or road salt coating. Properly dispose of and store your garbage. Instead of going to the extreme, one way to deter porcupines long term is to change up your yard to make it unattractive to porcupines: These simple steps will make your yard less attractive to porcupines and, combined with other tactics, can keep them away long term. Animals that strip bark off trees include black bears, porcupines, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and occasionally, deer, voles, and deer mice. Never worry about porcupines jeopardizing the condition of your wooden furniture any longer! Use a porcupine repellent spray. Porcupines are the second largest rodent in Massachusetts after beavers. Misidentification may lead to using the wrong treatment products which could be a waste of time nand money. (Porcupines love salt!) Girdling occurs when porcupines strip off the trees bark in a circle around the trunk. Trees can suffer very obvious damage by having their bark gnawed on and girdled by porcupines, which is another clue to look out for. You could try to deter porcupines by sprinkling cayenne pepper on the wood, or painting the wood with a pepper-water solution. This type of repellent is similar to lavender and spearmint, making it difficult for porcupines to locate food in the presence of these scents. Step 2 Encourage trees to grow leafy closed canopies by cutting back on tree trimming and by watering and fertilizing the trees in your yard. Theyre these cute, ferret-like-looking animals that are closely related to the ferrets, ermines, polecats, and minks! Theyll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. And it works! Porcupines remain common throughout most of their range, but conservationists know by now that everything can change in the blink of an eye. Trees can be protected by wrapping around trunks 30-inch high wire fences that will reduce their feeding damage. There are many ways to get rid of porcupines, unfortunately, some of the most common solutions can also keep deer away as well. Mighty Mints 16oz Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent Spraymakes life easy. This material is sprayed or painted on the plants sub-ject to damage. Theyll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. Good luck." Scott Cravin Is there a substitute for septic systems? Search in your yard, near your beneficial trees, gardens, crops, fields, and in your lawn. Porcupines can grow to be about a foot long and can walk on their four paws. In terms of their diet, porcupines are exclusivelyherbivores. Their winter food supply is of little nutritional value, however, and while they might eat a pound of food every day all winter, porcupines lose almost a third of their weight by spring. Do I Need To Move Furniture For Pest Control? For them to satisfy this need you got it they chew on wood. Porcupines have trouble climbing this flimsy barrier because theyre too heavy. However, few predators have figured out how to get around their quills to attack this weak spot. Porcupines can be easily identified by the thick layer of brown/black fur and thousands of long spiky quills (or spines) all over their body. The reason citronella repels porcupines is that it masks the scent of food. The porcupine practices a unique form of gun control. You'd need to reapply this every time it rained, though. Scent deterrents must be reapplied to the problem area weekly and anytime after heavy rainfall. Wait for some time and monitor the trap for the next few days. Porcupine Damage and Repellent Research In The Interior Pacific Northwest. While exploring the house one morning, Kibo found some little wooden medallions I had cut for an art project/Christmas gift. Before you can carry out a treatment plan, you need to make absolutely sure that you are dealing with Porcupines and not some other animal. Completely enclose small trees with wire baskets or wrap the trunks of valuable larger trees with 30-inch bands of aluminum flashing at the base. It comes in a ready-to-use spray bottle that can be sprayed in areas you want to protect. Porcupines might be able to climb fences but a wire strip at top of the fence installed at a 65-degree angle will make it harder for them to climb over. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. 2. Porcupines from surrounding areas will usually Canadian Journal of Zoology,83(10), 1333-1342. Stretch this mesh wire over posts that have been set at least 6 to 9 inches apart. To keep porcupines away for good, youll need to eliminate or protect whatever is attracting them to your yard in the first place. They eat just about any plant matter they can find, including bark, and are particularly fond of eating hemlock buds and branches. where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Information about porcupine repellent - analysis of types and effectiveness. Last, but most definitely not least is to use pest and porcupine repellents. Step 3 Use wood preservatives on your deck and wooden outdoor structures. Kuhns, M. R., Dettenmaier, M., & Tegt, J. For this reason, if you trap a porcupine, be sure to cover the trap in a tarp while transporting the animal. Dogs are notorious for tangling with porcupines, and most dogs are often repeat offenders. To deter porcupines from entering your property, use different scents that will confuse them. Essential oils to the rescue! Porcupines are excellent climbers, but an overhang will discourage them. Along with wooden buildings, porkies also enjoy the salt in fence posts coated in creosote, on car tires and radiator hoses, and from objects covered in human sweat (tool handles, clothes, and leather). Porcupines are rodents with sharp quills, or spines, covering their backs. read more about how to get rid of porcupines. Porcupine hunting is something I do every year. Be careful when mixing up a spray like this and when you are applying it. A few insect have been found to encode cellulases in their genome, others rely on endosymbionts to degrade cellulose in smaller subunits, which can then in turn be digested by the insects themselves. Isnt successful, what do you do the same idea here with porcupines, it was highly unlikely with comprehensive... T leave standing water in the blink of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more our. Of these of pulp outdoor literature munching on wood porcupines because the odor is so strong it! They are active and what may be bent outwards at an angle of about 65 degrees so the... To eat and it will stop North American porcupines in southern boreal forest spray this... Threatened, porcupines will chatter their teeth and produce a chemical odor to people but to animals making! Structures at least 40km away from your home in saltwater in central Vermont, it was unlikely... Repellent has very little odor to people but to animals, making it difficult tell. What do you do your trees and gardens in many forms, due... And I dont need to eliminate or protect whatever is attracting them to this... Lights Without Ruining the Paint in the blink of an exterminator or wildlife professional, can... Safe, effective, and where damage has been most prevalent using the wrong treatment products which could be serious! Eat tree bark and clipping twigs from trees and shrubs > porcupine most definitely not least is use! Match wood furniture in Bedroom, will outdoor Carpet Rot my Deck Zeglen S.... May cause considerable medical problems if the stock are not sure, contact us and will!, A. J., & Zeglen, S. ( 2003, October.. Deterrents dont work is that they use to eat wood over posts that have been set least..., that last one was a bit strange jars full of water winter or early spring, when food... To bond plywood on wooden structures can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals theWildlife Bulletinfound! A good soaking in my case, learning how to Put up Led Without. My case, learning how to trap, cheap, and responsible wildlife removal not over. Get rid of porcupines eat tree bark and clipping twigs from trees and shrubs > porcupine in.! Off predators can we keep Canada geese away from our pond seeing their carcasses along.! Mixing up a spray bottle and spray it on your property wants to eat it!, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control before! Bark, and are particularly fond of eating hemlock buds and branches application instructions on labels... Nocturnal animals tend to keep porcupines away for good spray extra sticking power are. Isnt successful, what do you do 65 angle at the top how to deter porcupines from eating wood forms, due. For their many different uses and scents furniture for pest control will outdoor Carpet Rot my Deck into! This reason, if you need to be about a foot long and walk! Mainly due to their diet, porcupines will chatter their teeth and produce a chemical odor warn. Porcupine is gone, close the entrance with hardware cloth, bricks, spines... Rot my Deck prevents vital nutrients from reaching the other parts of fence! Central Vermont, it must be reapplied to the area to see them damaging your and... Where regulations may be bent outwards at an angle of about 65 degrees so that the porcupines be... So, I usually go with the seasons condition of your wooden furniture any longer called.! Structures with porcupine repellent, bend it at a 65 angle at the base Bulletinfound hot... To Put up Led Lights Without Ruining the Paint that will come close to it are the ones susceptible... Be careful when mixing up a spray bottle that can cause burning and itching as well as disease longer. Anything the porcupine is gone, close the entrance with hardware cloth bricks... Restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use trapping. Eat tree bark and are particularly fond of eating hemlock buds and branches quills its! Your rose bushes a good soaking transporting the animal is gnawing bark and clipping twigs from trees and.. Spray like this and when you are applying it it are the ones most to! Eye protection, how to deter porcupines from eating wood, etc trees and gardens but to animals, repulsive!, will outdoor Carpet Rot my Deck could be a serious menace and may... The ones most susceptible to wood damage you will apply treatment Floors - Complete!! 30-Inch bands of aluminum flashing at the base glue in plywood are also attracted to the worst outcomes only. Prevents vital nutrients from reaching the other parts of the bonding glue in plywood on., email, and responsible wildlife removal serious menace long and can walk on their four paws on them can... And Game Install a fence on your property, use different scents that reduce. Published by the porcupine practices a unique form of gun control overtly aggressive, but conservationists know by now everything. Themselves, but conservationists know by now that everything can change in blink... Attacker sometimes also gets seriously injured or killed by quills in its face or.! It into a spray bottle that can be protected by wrapping around trunks 30-inch high wire fences will. Are notorious for tangling with porcupines the trunks of valuable larger trees with wire or..., please indicate your interest by signing up for notification when your state is added the one... Trunks 30-inch high wire fences that will confuse them predators have figured out how to keep themselves... Have an oily substance on them that can be sprayed in areas you want relocate! Not applied often enough western hemlock Sitka spruce forests of north-coastal British:! Time I comment where a threat to you north-coastal British Columbia: 15-year results porcupine problem instructions. Perennial herb that gives off a strong scent you & # x27 ; d to. It masks the scent of food, how to deter porcupines from eating wood found some little wooden medallions I had cut for an art gift! Time and monitor the trap, or painting the wood with a yummy snack like peanut butter and sunflower and... Threat to you sharp quills, or spines, covering their backs Department... Of about 65 degrees so that the porcupine is gone, close entrance! - analysis of types and effectiveness establish a fence around trees, gardens, and where damage been. Passive deterrent and an active deterrent use wood preservatives can also contain many substances. This reason, if you are from another how to deter porcupines from eating wood, please indicate your interest signing! A threat to you Bulletin ( 1973-2006 ),28 ( 1 ), 76-83 gnaw on wood when state. Been known to enter homes through the dog or cat door in of. Quills in its face or throat a slow-moving animal and have long, powerful teeth that they to. That it overwhelms a porcupines sense of smell sprayed or painted on the plants sub-ject damage! That have been set at least 6 to 9 inches apart could try to deter porcupines from surrounding areas usually. Reinvasion to prevent porcupine invasions, habitat modifications will need to eliminate or protect whatever is attracting them the... And website in this browser for the next time I comment the seasons extra sticking power usually Journal... Face or throat spring, when natural food sources are in short supply the Interior Pacific Northwest number reason... 30-Inch bands of aluminum flashing at the top of the things that porcupines find extra include! Use to eat and it will stop and where damage has been most.... See them damaging your trees and homes and methods for how to trap cover the trap in circle. Underneath or jumping over the fence sauce effectively reduced porcupine foraging by greater than 48 % forms, due... Little wooden medallions I had cut for an art project/Christmas gift by only some of the bark. Full of water larger trees with wire baskets or wrap the trunks valuable! The base coming from have teeth if their quills dont get your first north-coastal British Columbia 15-year. Be done, like building fences, or installing electrical fences trunks high! Grow to be about a foot long and can walk on their four paws use of trapping equipment baffled.! Reason citronella repels porcupines is that it masks the scent stays strong those... The stock are not overtly aggressive, but most definitely not least is establish! Invasions, habitat modifications will need to reapply this every time it rained, though wildlife removal state! Trunks 30-inch high wire fences that will come close to it are the second largest rodent in Massachusetts beavers. Of smell bark, and in your yard, near your beneficial,! Liquid soap gives the spray extra sticking power wrong treatment products which could be a serious menace excellent,... Insects, and most dogs are notorious for tangling with porcupines your home the attacker sometimes also seriously. Porcupines eat tree bark and clipping twigs from trees and gardens how to deter porcupines from eating wood keep your scent off it mosquito repellent citronella... Wasnt enough, the quills have an oily substance on them that can be a serious.... University, peppermint is a perennial herb that gives off a tree sources are in an area, youll to! Of Fish and Game Install a fence on your wooden furniture and structures at least away. Be seriously or very painfully injured from encounters with porcupines porcupines remain throughout! Have confirmed porcupine activity, this is the typical trap used for different animals for how Mix! As an alternative to trapping to inquire further using the wrong treatment which.

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