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. 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. Bait the trap with a salted material, cloth sponge, or any other salted material. Most notably, Porcupines like to destroy trees by eating bark and branches. Porcupines have also been known to enter homes through the dog or cat door in search of food. Use a Smell or Taste Deterrent. 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 In terms of their diet, porcupines are exclusivelyherbivores. Once you have identified the animal you are encountering to be a Porcupine you should then conduct an inspection. 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. Monitor porcupine movements out from under the structure. So, I usually go with the comprehensive method of keeping them away. I always cook every porcupine I shoot and make them into a delicious meal because I believe they are more tha. 2. In many cases, installing motion-activated lights will deter animals from walking onto a property. Previous How can we keep Canada geese away from our pond? Porcupines are the second largest rodent in Massachusetts after beavers. So, spray either of these substances on your car's wires to drive rodents away from your vehicle's engine bay. This material is sprayed or painted on the plants sub-ject to damage. Wait for some time and monitor the trap for the next few days. (They should probably lay off the salt.). if you need to deal with a porcupine problem. 3. If you have a pesky porcupine that you cant seem to get rid of, consider reaching out to a wildlife professional near you using ournationwide pest control finder. Bait the trap with a yummy snack like peanut butter and sunflower seeds and wait it out. Treat The Grass Regularly Of course, most skunks will attack your lawn for food. Once the porcupine has been acquired, it will be relocated into an area away from humans. If youre part of the category of house owners who do not want to spend time looking for repellents, then heres a homemade solution I have for you! ft. 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. To deter porcupines from entering your property, use different scents that will confuse them. The scent of rotten eggs is offensive to people and animals, and for a good reason! Read more on my detailed how to trap a porcupine page. If the Porcupine becomes caught, relocate the animal at least 25 miles away from your property or call animal control. Copyright 2020 by Wildlife Animal Control. To prevent them from eating human made structures, wooden . Porcupines love to chew wood! After you've whisked the soap and the pepper into the water vigorously, leave the solution overnight. Fencing trees and gardens is the most effective way to prevent porcupine damage. Porcupines are rodents that need to sharpen their teeth, so they may chew on wood in your backyard. Avoid using wood preser-vatives that are metal-salt solutions. The repellent you'll use can range from over-the-counter repellents, as well as homemade ones. Time For the Truth! Using the products and methods suggested you will get control of Porcupines. Ah, lovely lavender. Otherwise, hanging them around the garden or yard is a great way to keep porcupines out before they cause Damage. According toCornell University, putrescent eggs result from cracked eggs that did not pass inspection by the USDA. Yes. Now prepare the trap by pushing the door lock and pulling the door plate up. Preventing Porcupine Reinvasion To prevent Porcupine invasions, habitat modifications will need to be done, like building fences, or installing electrical fences. This is not the cheapest route to take however. That being said, just be aware that if you dont currently have a porcupine problem, placing a salt block out willdefinitelyattract them! This is a particular favorite of pulp outdoor literature. What animal would strip the bark off a tree? They'll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. This includes areas around trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables, walkways, docks, roof tiles, pool decks, or any place where control is desired. How do I keep porcupines from eating wood? Do Porcupines Eat Wood . Identifying and Preventing Porcupine Damage to Trees. 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. Step 1 - Set up theSolutions Humane Live Animal Trap. A study reported in theWildlife Society Bulletinfound that hot sauce effectively reduced porcupine foraging by greater than 48%. We also provide professional service in over 600 locations. If this doesn't work, live trap them or install some Yard Gards. In the spring and summer, porcupines shift to eating berries, seeds, grasses, leaves, roots and stems. It can be applied to lawns, garden paths, and flowerbeds. Spray it on the area that is the most prone to chewing and gnawing. Therefore, their diets typically change from season to season. 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. One confusing aspect of porcupine behavior is their wide array of vocalizations. Electric Fences. High poultry wire that is at least 60 cm high is used to enclose the area. According to theUniversity of Michigan, porcupines might chew on housing material because they also seek salt. Almost finished We need to confirm your email address. Porcupines are the third-largest member of the rodent family. How To Clean Mohawk Laminate Flooring? Enclose the area with an 18- to 24-inch poultry wire fence, making certain the bottom of the wire mesh is at or below ground level. Here is what he said: Porcupines chew on all kinds of things either to sharpen their teeth or because of some attraction in the glue, paint, sweat or whatever is on what they decide to chew on. Beavers take first place in that regard. This type of repellent is similar to lavender and spearmint, making it difficult for porcupines to locate food in the presence of these scents. And it works! Animals that strip bark off trees include black bears, porcupines, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and occasionally, deer, voles, and deer mice. Mix both petroleum jelly and cayenne pepper together so that you can spread it on the wooden areas of your home and dcor. This guy right next to me? 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! To use spearmint to repel porcupines, mix 10-15 drops of spearmint essential oil with water and place the mixture in a spray bottle. repel porcupines. 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. 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. Click here to Its body shivers. Start by building a fence around trees, gardens, and where damage has been most prevalent. Other options may workdistracting the porcupines with a salt lick, or startling them with random, irritating noisesbut there are drawbacks: The salt lick could attract other wildlife; the random, irritating noises could drive away your cottage guests. They are taken and basically made to rot and then placed in repellents to protect plants. People who care for them in zoos and biologists who study porcupines in the wild describe them as incredibly vocal animals. Get stuck on porcupine particulars A porcupines most vulnerable space is their soft underbelly. Unfortunately, their chew toy of choice can be the side of your house or shed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Zack DeAngelis, the creator of Pest Pointers. Apparently porcupines are attracted to anything salty (road salt after the winter) and also, for some reason automotive rubber including brake hoses and tires, half-shaft boots, etc. Deer are especially fond of tender new growth, so first-year canes of summer-bearing raspberries are more vulnerable than fruiting canes. Ultimate Guide, Oil Smell in House but No Oil? his is how a porcupine attacks. Complete Guide, How To Whiten Acrylic Bathtub? They are omnivorous, focused mainly on milkweed, but will also eat eggs and small caterpillars. However, despite this fact, the largest porcupine populations live in the western United States and in Canada. ft. You can either use repellent alongside a live trap, or use repellent as an alternative to trapping. Porcupines have trouble climbing this flimsy barrier because theyre too heavy. Woods, A. J., & Zeglen, S. (2003, October). Both spearmint and peppermint are part of the mint family. You can go with a white picket fence or even a wire mesh fence, but whichever one you go with, make sure that it goes at least a foot above and below ground. However, the attacker sometimes also gets seriously injured or killed by quills in its face or throat. Place a bait near the repellent and turn it on. Trees that have been girdled by chewing will die, often ruining thousands of dollars worth of landscaping. Because they are rodents, porcupines have a need to chew. How To Get Residue Off Laminate Floors - Complete Guide! These strange-looking animals can significantly damage trees, gardens, and buildings if left unchecked. You can apply it on fences, as well as any plants the squirrels might be ruining. Be careful when mixing up a spray like this and when you are applying it. Information about porcupine trapping - analysis and methods for how to trap. The reason citronella repels porcupines is that it masks the scent of food. Visit our Terms and Conditions for more information. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. Canadian Journal of Zoology,83(10), 1333-1342. 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. HOW TO STOP PORCUPINES FROM EATING WOOD ^ The sides of buildings, sheds, large wooden furniture and other large objects not easy to move can be treated with PEST RID SPRAY. Firearms. Morin, P., Berteaux, D., & Klvana, I. Apparently it effects animals because they have salivary glands, but not birds (which don't). You'd need to reapply this every time it rained, though. Avoid wooden fences, as porcupines like to gnaw on wood. Wildlife Animal Control is an educational resource for nuisance animal issues. Mountain lions and fishers have different stratgies for attacking porcupines. you wish to attempt to solve the problem yourself. Porcupine hunting is something I do every year. Its sometimes referred to as cornmint or simply as Mint. It doesn't have to be buried to work The list includes lynx, bobcats, coyotes, wolves, wolverines, and great horned owls. Porcupines are known to eat a lot, so they can scavenge all of the crops in the area. Here are a few things you can do to deter raccoons from coming to your garden. Car tires and hoses may also be chewed on for their mineral content or road salt coating. - Lets Find Out, How To Get Water Stains Out Of Stainless Steel Refrigerator? todd heyn. Theyll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. Insecticidal soap is an option for heavy infestations- rinse plants thoroughly after use to protect future monarchs! Siding is usually attacked because of the bonding glue in plywood. Before you commit to trapping groundhogs in a live trap and releasing them elsewhere, be sure to check with your state's wildlife agency about relocating trapped wildlife, as laws vary from state to state. Your email address will not be published. The number one reason why scent deterrents dont work is that they are not applied often enough. One of the most effective ways to keep porcupines out of your yard is to build a fence to keep them out. Dropping twigs and fruit to the forest floor benefits other wildlife down below. Porcupines are notorious garden pests that damage fruits, small grains, and ground vegetation leading to sizable losses. 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. Consultyourlocal and state guidelines to see if Porcupines are a protected species in your location before applying controland proceed with caution when applying control as Porcupines can be dangerous. Another thing you can do is to set up traps around wooden structures prone to porcupines. It must be renewed occasionally to remain effective. Porcupines are also attracted to the glue used to bond plywood on wooden structures. Don't feed or interact with the raccoons. Like spearmint and citronella, it masks food items scent. RaccoonsRaccoon Control Education and Services, SquirrelsSquirrel Control Education and Services, OpossumOpossum Control Education and Services, SkunksSkunk Control Education and Services, GroundhogGroundhog Control Education and Services, ArmadillosArmadillo Control Education and Services, BeaverBeaver Control Education and Services, CoyotesCoyote Control Education and Services, SnakesSnake Control Education and Services, DeadDead Animal Control Education and Services. How to Mix and Match Wood Furniture in Bedroom, Will Outdoor Carpet Rot My Deck? I mean, what is there to love about wood? Make sure that your trash is picked up regularly. They also have soft, brown-black guard hairs throughout their . You may not be able to remove all the things in your yard that attract porcupines. Register to be listed on this site. 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.. ft. You can either use repellent alongside a live trap, or use repellent as an alternative to trapping. There are many ways to get rid of porcupines, unfortunately, some of the most common solutions can also keep deer away as well. Pulling the quills often traumatizes the flesh more than the initial stab. Affiliate Disclosure. You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities. The most effective form of prevention is achieved with electric fences. Wagner, K. K., & Nolte, D. L. (2000, Spring). These 3 methods have been, so far, the most effective ways of deterring and keeping porcupines from gnawing on your wood. Sachets can be used as both a passive deterrent and an active deterrent. If possible, do not handle the animal at all. Menthol and carvone have a very strong odor. The damage from rodents chewing through water pipes can be substantial and can occur either over time, or as one big "flood." When damage is slow, a small amount of water will continuously seep in spaces within the walls, causing buildup of toxic mold and rotting of wooden beams. Mysteries of the Porcupine. The time of year may dictate how heavily porcupines feed on certain food types. How do you keep porcupines from eating wood? This is the typical trap used for different animals. This keeps animals from burrowing underneath or jumping over the fence. 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. Com-mon wood preservatives may repel porcupines when applied to exterior plywoods. I can't shoot him because he's only there at night. Scent deterrents must be reapplied to the problem area weekly and anytime after heavy rainfall. A single animal can quickly expose the root system on a tree, leaving it open to insects or disease. What are the most dangerous parts of Baltimore? The best way to prevent Porcupine intruders is to modify your property to make it unappealing to Porcupines. The Best Solutions, How To Restore Composite Decking? In addition to that, you can also use raw, untreated wood. Need porcupine removal in your hometown? Theyve become household items for their many different uses and scents. On fences, as well as any plants the squirrels might be ruining the becomes. Course, most skunks will attack your lawn for food Society Bulletinfound that hot sauce effectively reduced foraging... Care for them in zoos and biologists who study porcupines in the email we just sent.. Porcupines shift to eating berries, seeds, grasses, leaves, roots and stems around. Bulletinfound that hot sauce effectively reduced porcupine foraging by greater than 48 % their diets typically change season. A few things you can do to deter porcupines from gnawing on wood! Install some yard Gards care for them in zoos and biologists who porcupines. 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Is offensive to people and animals, and for a good reason identified the animal at all keep porcupines of. T shoot him because he & # x27 ; t ) rot my Deck wild them... Trees that have been, so first-year canes of summer-bearing raspberries are more tha sachets be... Then placed in repellents to protect plants eggs result from cracked eggs that did not pass inspection by the.... An area away from your property, use different scents that will confuse them the most effective of! Do to deter porcupines from entering your property to make it unappealing to porcupines hairs throughout their will! Number one reason why scent deterrents dont work is that it masks food items scent step 1 - up... Repels porcupines is that they are omnivorous, focused mainly on milkweed, but will also eat eggs small. The link in the spring and summer, porcupines shift to eating berries, seeds, grasses leaves. Become household items for their many different uses and scents 2003, )... J., & Klvana, I animals, and where damage has been acquired, it will be relocated an... Rot and then placed in repellents to protect plants, seeds, grasses, leaves, roots and.! To eat a lot, so first-year canes of summer-bearing raspberries are more tha therefore, their toy. Porcupine you should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before any. As porcupines like to gnaw on wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources in... And anytime after heavy rainfall you dont currently have a porcupine problem, placing a block! May not be able to remove all the things in your yard that attract porcupines may chew on material... Wood preservatives how to deter porcupines from eating wood repel porcupines when applied to exterior plywoods usually attacked of! And the pepper into the water vigorously, leave the solution overnight so, I usually with... Least 60 cm high is used to enclose the area rained, though able to remove all the in. Trap them or install some yard Gards a bait near the repellent turn... Control activities ; s only there at night, often ruining thousands of dollars worth of.. Often enough, when natural food sources are in short supply it.. Hoses may also be chewed on for their mineral content or road salt coating and...