Probably the easiest and simplest way to deter porcupines from visiting your estate is to establish a fence around it. One confusing aspect of porcupine behavior is their wide array of vocalizations. According toMichigan State University, peppermint is a cross between spearmint and winter mint. you wish to attempt to solve the problem yourself. Theyll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. These mammals typically live in other parts of the world in Asia, Europe and in Africa. How to protect my trees and shrubs from porcupines. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Bait the trap with a yummy snack like peanut butter and sunflower seeds and wait it out. Start by building a fence around trees, gardens, and where damage has been most prevalent. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. They will target wooden tool handles, siding, plywood, and anything else made of wood. These pests, also known as "woodchucks," are large rodents (about 20 inches long and weighing 13 pounds) that must eat great quantities of food to sustain such an impressive frame. Pull the trigger arm forward to lift the door plate. Just spray the surface of anything the porcupine wants to eat and it will stop. If you leave porcupines alone, they will continue on their way and leave you alone. Once you have identified the animal you are encountering to be a Porcupine you should then conduct an inspection. Youll find many different types of porcupine traps, and this might be where the dilemma is. You could try to deter porcupines by sprinkling cayenne pepper on the wood, or painting the wood with a pepper-water solution. You will know as soon as the trigger arm gets hooked to the door. These will attract porcupines. Most notably, Porcupines like to destroy trees by eating bark and branches. Using both these baits will bring better results. This guy right next to me? Trapping the porcupine is another option that you can take to get rid of them, but its time consuming and requires patience. Even a small mesh bag of moth flakes/balls (napthalene) placed near damage may help. Mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats and foxes all occasionally hunt these spiky rodents. Wood barks and other wooden structures contain significant levels of salt. Letti & Co is user supported. A porcupines quill will expand upon entering the skin, which is why it is so hard to remove the needles once they have caused an injury. We recommend the Solutions Live Trap as the best form of control, since Critter Ridder results may vary so it is not a guarantee this will keep Porcupines away. They can cough, shriek, whistle like a bird, make funny kazoo noises, chatter their teeth, and grunt. They are attracted to almost any object that has been handled by humans because of the salt found in human sweat. The future of porcupines, which I promise are an endearing species once you get to know one, depends on us being good stewards of the northern forests on which porcupines absolutely rely. Porcupines need their sense of smell to find food, so anything too powerful will deter them. . repel porcupines. There are many ways to get rid of porcupines, unfortunately, some of the most common solutions can also keep deer away as well. It is my goal to educate the public about porcupines and other wildlife, and todd heyn. Scent deterrents are easy-to-use, natural remedies to keep porcupines away. Dropping twigs and fruit to the forest floor benefits other wildlife down below. They also look at wood as the answer to the nutrition and diet they need. In most cases, the light does not hurt the creatures directly, but it does expose them. 2. Facts and Answers! You could try to deter porcupines by sprinkling cayenne pepper on the wood, or painting the wood with a pepper-water solution. It's a short-legged rodent with a chunky body. The easiest way to avoid the heartache caused by the sight of a groundhog-devoured garden is to grow plants that groundhogs ( Marmota monax) don't eat. 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. The idea of porcupines munching on wood always baffled me. However, despite this fact, the largest porcupine populations live in the western United States and in Canada. To use spearmint to repel porcupines, mix 10-15 drops of spearmint essential oil with water and place the mixture in a spray bottle. Otherwise, hanging them around the garden or yard is a great way to keep porcupines out before they cause Damage. 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. Scent deterrents may not be as effective as physical fencing or traps, but it is a natural and organic approach that can be just as effective when used correctly. Repellents based on capsaicin (hot sauce is the active ingredient), thiram (a fungicide), or other mammal repellents could be applied. Multiple trees or an entire area can be enclosed in a single fence. If youre in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. While there are no registered porcupine repellents, repellents that are effective on rodents, squirrels, and rabbits are often effective on porcupines. Information about how to kill a porcupine - with poison or other methods. If the threat continues, the porcupine will turn its back, raise its quills and lash with its tail. To use lavender to repel porcupines, you have a couple of different options: Using the lavender plant is a great choice if youre looking for an overallpassiveway to deter porcupines. You'd need to reapply this every time it rained, though. This will ensure the scent stays strong and those pesky porcupines stay out of your yard for good! What If My Garbage Disposal Smells Like Dead Animal? Porcupine Damage and Repellent Research In The Interior Pacific Northwest. Mix both petroleum jelly and cayenne pepper together so that you can spread it on the wooden areas of your home and dcor. How To Clean Mohawk Laminate Flooring? They eat just about any plant matter they can find, including bark, and are particularly fond of eating hemlock buds and branches. Like beavers, porcupines prefer to eat the nutritious inner tree bark or phloem. And stay safe, by wearing personal protective equipment. Use a live trap. Previous How can we keep Canada geese away from our pond? A proper face mask, eye protection, gloves, etc. It comes in a ready-to-use spray bottle that can be sprayed in areas you want to protect. Another option is to buy a pre-made solution. What do I do if FedEx delivered someone elses package. Putrescent whole egg solids are often used as repellents for deer, but they are also effective against beavers and porcupines. How do you stop porcupines from eating plywood buildings?Craig Loucao. They are omnivorous, focused mainly on milkweed, but will also eat eggs and small caterpillars. Scent deterrents need to be reapplied often and are not a foolproof plan to keep porcupines away. Be careful when mixing up a spray like this and when you are applying it. Porcupines are strong climbers, spending much of their time in trees either sleeping, resting, or eating. Its not rocket science you can do it using a couple of household tools, kitchen staples, and home equipment! The bait should be placed near the back of the trap. Theyll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. I grew up in an area of Upstate, NY where dealing with wildlife pests is a common occurrence. We may earn a small commission when you buy through our links. They are the second largest rodent in North America. This is . Good luck." Scott Cravin A piece of wood is also an excellent bait for trapping. Will deer eat raspberry plants? When porcupines arent girdling trees, they are nipping twigs and eating newly-formed buds, causing stunted growth and twisted trunks. Witmer, G. W., & Pipas, M. J. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. ft. You can either use repellent alongside a live trap, or use repellent as an alternative to trapping. 4. Porcupines from surrounding areas will usually Its an antimicrobial, a bug repellent, and a flavoring agent for candy and chewing gum. (2005, October). Now, for a quick recap. No guarantee is made that information (or lack of information) associated with a species or control technique is completely accurate or current. Not to mention that it makes your yard look nice. Read more on my detailed how to trap a porcupine page. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities. Unlike beavers (the regular aquatic kind), which leave very deep marks in trees they have gnawed on, porcupines just chew down to the cambium and leave behind very shallow marks or grooves where their incisors scrape against the wood. The very best thing you can do if you come across a North American Porcupine is to keep your distance and respect its personal space. The porcupine is not an aggressive animal and will only attack if it is threatened. 2. 3. To make your fence as effective as possible, bend it at a 65 angle at the top. 1. What animal would strip the bark off a tree? (1998). Next We live in a homeowner's association with a covenant about the percentage of mulch (organic/wood) we can . Because of this, its important to know the entry points so, Read More 10 Different Ways That Snakes Entered Your HomeContinue, Your email address will not be published. The porcupine is a peaceful animal that rarely attacks its enemies. Porcupines are a large rodent that can be dangerous to encounter due to their painful and often disease-causing quills on their body. This causes porcupines to search elsewhere for food and leave your yard alone. Start by building a fence around trees, gardens, and where damage has been most prevalent. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of Porcupines. Unlike putrescent eggs, spearmint smells good to us humans! 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. Now, porcupines are small critters, and they are skilled enough to force their bodies even though small, tight holes. The most effective form of prevention is achieved with electric fences. Most porcupines' diet changes depending on the season. Both spearmint and peppermint are part of the mint family. Unlike beaver or rabbits, porcupines can ascend tree trunks and nibble on branches. Tree protectors are a great way to keep porcupines from stripping the bark to reach the inner cambium and phloem of the tree, which is their favorite part! Porcupines are the third-largest member of the rodent family. To deter porcupines from entering your property, use different scents that will confuse them. Avoid using wood preser-vatives that are metal-salt solutions. This is not the cheapest route to take however. You can try a recipe of 1 cup of water, three eggs, 1/3 cup of hot sauce and 1/3 cup of liquid dish soap. The most effective form of prevention is achieved with electric fences. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine one year ago, it triggered national mobilization, international outrage, and a once-in-a-generation migration crisis. I found a couple of live animal traps online, but if youre not the type who will buy them, you can use a traditional catching technique called the deep hole trap.. If the Porcupine becomes caught, relocate the animal at least 25 miles away from your property or call animal control. 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. Install a fence on your property. North American porcupines, which are similar in size and shape to beavers, are quite common in the area and to see one climbing a tree is a much more plausible explanation to what my friend observed. Once the animal is caught, if you want to relocate it, it must be at least 40km away from your home. Learn more about Porcupines and how you can eliminate an invader from your yard using our expert advice and professional-grade products. If unable to chew, the animals teeth would grow too long to be able to consume food and the porcupine would eventually starve to death. Porcupines are also attracted to the glue used to bond plywood on wooden structures. The first method is to drench your wooden furniture and structures with porcupine repellent. Only Northeast state nuisance wildlife control operators are permitted to sign up on WildlifeHelp.org at this time. Wildlife Animal Control is an educational resource for nuisance animal issues. Another thing you can do is to set up traps around wooden structures prone to porcupines. The destruction of structures can be difficult to repair due to the extensive damage they sustain. When you're using dried, or ground, cayenne pepper, you'll need about 2 tablespoons for every gallon of water. Any gardens or vegetation are at risk of being destroyed as well. In the winter, for example, North American porcupines primarily eat the inner bark from trees and evergreen needles. Almost finished We need to confirm your email address. Porcupine hunting is something I do every year. Dump any standing water daily so they will not come into the area for water. Rats are one of the least-welcomed guests in domestic homes. And there's always the more direct approach of eliminating the offending animal. You must actually touch the quill even very slightly for it to stick in you. Hot peppers! - Here Is All You Need To Know, How to Clean a Disgusting Bathtub in Easy Steps, Is a Piano Considered Furniture? They found that feeding damage by porcupines along the north coast of British Columbia was so significant that it changed the dominant species of a forest. Its safe to say that it would be wise not to touch them. Alaska Wildlife News is an online magazine published by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game A few years ago a visitor from South Carolina told me they saw a beaver climbing a tree in the woods behind my house. Be on your guard! Ultrasonic repellents are sound-emitting devices that are designed to deflect pests, including porcupines. A porcupines general demeanor is docile, but they have quills for a reason! Do Porcupines Eat Wood . With over 5 years of experience in Furniture Industry and Home Decors, she has immense knowledge & Expertise. Both contain menthol. Wagner, K. K., & Nolte, D. L. (2000, Spring). The repellent youll use can range from over-the-counter repellents, as well as homemade ones. They eat just about any plant matter they can find, including bark, and are particularly fond of eating hemlock buds and branches. Wood preservatives may repel porcupines. 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. Call us today! Right: The upper and lower jaws of a porcupine. They'll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. Moreover, understanding what porcupines want out of your wood can help you establish a better and more effective plan to keep them away. Nests of porcupines eat tree bark and are drawn to wood structures in general. Its body shivers. Spearmint and peppermint whats the difference? If this doesn't work, live trap them or install some Yard Gards. Do porcupines eat metal? Need porcupine removal in your hometown? provide tips for safe, effective, and responsible wildlife removal. You can combine scent deterrents with other, more long-term solutions to keep these quilled rodents deterred for good! Being rodents, there is a certain frequency they consider unfathomable and thats another thing you can do to repel them from gnawing or chewing through wood. According to theNational Pesticide Information Center, citronella contains three main repellent ingredients: These three babies combine to make both an insect and animal repellent. You may not be able to remove all the things in your yard that attract porcupines. Since harming a Porcupine is discouraged, controlling an invading Porcupine will involve either live trapping with Solutions Humane Live Trap or deterring the rodent from your property with a repellent such as Critter Ridder. Each 1.25 lbs will protect approximately 50 sq. Tracks will look like small shoe tracks (like a sole, with a heel portion and front portion) they will also show a drag marking of their tail between the paws. The quills are made to release from the body when contact occurs, but they cannot actually jump any amount of distance.) Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and give your rose bushes a good soaking. Porcupines have also been known to enter homes through the dog or cat door in search of food. Place the mixture in a spray bottle and spray outside in problem areas around the garden, on tree trunks, on wooden tool handles, and anywhere else those pesky porcupines are invading. Chicken wire about 18 inches high used in conjunction with a strand of electric wire just above the chicken wire is effective at keeping porcupines from the area. It eats them. I am in They are a medium-sized, pigeon-toed animal with short legs, long claws, and a high-arching back. Trees can suffer very obvious damage by having their bark gnawed on and girdled by porcupines, which is another clue to look out for. are highly recommended. A single animal can quickly expose the root system on a tree, leaving it open to insects or disease. Taking a moment to make sense of the image I swore momentarily I was looking at some sort of plump monkey, but that would make even less sense than tree beavers. The fisher cat is scarce or absent from much of the porcupines range, however, and the general lack of predators has led to porcupines having a nearly absent flight response, resulting many being hit by cars. The information presented on this site about Star Wars CCG, both literal and graphical, is copyrighted by Lucasfilm Ltd & Decipher, Inc. Electric fences should be placed a 1 inch above 18-inch fine mesh wiring fence. Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. Avoid wooden fences, as porcupines like to gnaw on wood. 3. Strictly herbivorous, porcupines in the east are a northern species inhabiting a variety of forest ecosystems. Porcupines are usually content residing in the woods, but if they start to wander out and venture where humans dwell, it usually is because of some type of factor in the woods that is pushing them out. The first is to spray PEST RID over the area where you see the marks. Don't leave standing water in the yard or garden. Insecticidal soap is an option for heavy infestations- rinse plants thoroughly after use to protect future monarchs! Soak them in saltwater to smell and look tastier to porcupines. Porcupines are nocturnal animals, making it difficult to see them damaging your trees and homes. We service over 500 USA locations! These strange-looking animals can significantly damage trees, gardens, and buildings if left unchecked. 3. Are you interested to learn the concoction thats been used by homeowners for generations now? Here are some alternate ways to keep ticks away from your property: Keep your grass short Clean up lawn clippings Create a barrier of mulch around your yard Weed and trim any tall weeds or plants Use professional outdoor pest control services, like Mosquito Joe, to protect your yard How to Avoid Tick Bites And it works! This type of repellent is similar to lavender and spearmint, making it difficult for porcupines to locate food in the presence of these scents.