The second reason is that hot sauce has a very pungent and strong odor. Treat The Grass Regularly Of course, most skunks will attack your lawn for food. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Email us at info@wildlifeanimalcontrol.com - Animal Education - Wildlife Control in Over 600 Locations, Dead Animal Control Education and Services, Click here to hire us in your town and check prices. Damage prevention Porcupine damage can be reduced or prevented by several methods: removal, repellents or exclusion. 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. South American Armored Catfish Once the porcupine is gone, close the entrance with hardware cloth, bricks, or lumber. If youre in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. Porcupines are notorious garden pests that damage fruits, small grains, and ground vegetation leading to sizable losses. If they happen to catch their reflection in a jar of water, it may be enough to scare them off because they will think another porcupine is around. 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. Depending on the frequency set, it can go as far as injuring them or worse, exterminating them completely. Multiple trees or an entire area can be enclosed in a single fence. Scent deterrents must be reapplied to the problem area weekly and anytime after heavy rainfall. 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! 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. 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. 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. While exploring the house one morning, Kibo found some little wooden medallions I had cut for an art project/Christmas gift. Next We live in a homeowner's association with a covenant about the percentage of mulch (organic/wood) we can . Fisher, however, are effective predators of porcupines and can control porcupine populations in areas where they both live. If possible, do not handle the animal at all. (They should probably lay off the salt.). Porcupines feed on salt and salt residue, and have been known to chew on leather items and even the brake lines of vehicles. Indeed, many people who have never seen a live porcupine are accustomed to seeing their carcasses along roads. 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. nuzzle porcupines, which may cause considerable medical problems if the stock are not treated promptly. However, few predators have figured out how to get around their quills to attack this weak spot. Dropping twigs and fruit to the forest floor benefits other wildlife down below. These spines provide protection from predators, but they also make the porcupine a unique animal to study. It also depends on where the porcupine lives. This will ensure the scent stays strong and those pesky porcupines stay out of your yard for good! Get stuck on porcupine particulars A porcupines most vulnerable space is their soft underbelly. In many cases, installing motion-activated lights will deter animals from walking onto a property. Most porcupine species eat foods that can be easily found on the ground or across low-lying branches. Captured porcupines are easily relocated into state forest. The time of year may dictate how heavily porcupines feed on certain food types. Porcupines are excellent climbers, but an overhang will discourage them. Even at a concentration of just 0.06% hot sauce, porcupines were deterred. Animals that strip bark off trees include black bears, porcupines, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and occasionally, deer, voles, and deer mice. 3. are highly recommended. Make sure you wash the trap with soap before you set it and wear latex gloves so you dont leave your scent on it. You can place a salt block out to encourage the porcupine to eat that instead of your shed or house. Start by building a fence around trees, gardens, and where damage has been most prevalent. 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. 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. 2. Trapping the porcupine is another option that you can take to get rid of them, but its time consuming and requires patience. Each 1.25 lbs will protect approximately 50 sq. If there is no food, there is no reason for the deer to return. Instead, itll be concentrated on the part or area where youll place it, and when porcupines come near it, theyll instantaneously be disgusted by the scent emitted. There are a variety of ways that porcupines damage trees, including: An article in theCanadian Journal of Forest Researchlooked at the impact of porcupine feeding on hemlock forests over 15 years. 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. Just to add when you shop using links from Pest Pointers, we may earn affiliate commissions if you make a purchase. But in eastern North America, by far one of the porcupines most formidable predators is the fisher, a larger cousin of the American marten. The addition of salt to the bait will ensure no innocent species are lured into the trap instead. Call us today! Youd need to reapply this every time it rained, though. Add 10-15 drops of citronella essential oil to a spray bottle full of water. 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. However, during winter, you will find them eating the inner bark of trees. A proper face mask, eye protection, gloves, etc. How Often Should You Keep Air Purifier On? 1. They are a medium-sized, pigeon-toed animal with short legs, long claws, and a high-arching back. Animals don't like this product and will stay away from where its been applied. Bend the top few inches outward at a 65-degree angle and run a smooth electrified wire 1 inches above the poultry wire. When releasing, don't be too afraid of the quills. - I have a new homemade wood deer stand and i have a porcupine eating the wood. You must actually touch the quill even very slightly for it to stick in you. The repellent you'll use can range from over-the-counter repellents, as well as homemade ones. Porcupines have trouble climbing this flimsy barrier because theyre too heavy. Use an ultrasonic repellent. 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. Once the animal is caught, if you want to relocate it, it must be at least 40km away from your home. Install a fence on your property. ft. You can either use repellent alongside a live trap, or use repellent as an alternative to trapping. While we attempt to provide guidance about state and federal regulations pertaining to specific species and control techniques, we do not provide information about local jurisdictions (city, town, county, etc.) Woods, A. J., & Zeglen, S. (2003, October). The first reason is that capsaicin activates pain receptors in the mouth. Do porcupines eat metal? If you leave porcupines alone, they will continue on their way and leave you alone. Unfortunately, their chew toy of choice can be the side of your house or shed. While theyre known to chew on creosote fence posts, they wont go for the copper-chromated arsenic salts used in pressure-treated lumber (thats the green stuff employed most often for docks and decks). PORCUPINES WILL EAT ANYTHING MADE WITH WOOD, https://bugspray.com/repellents/liquid/ropel-liquid, https://www.bugspray.com/articles98/moles.html, BUGSPRAY NO PUMP 2.5 and 5 GALLON AIR PRESSURE SPRAYER, HOW TO STOP RODENTS CHEWING ENGINE WIRES | BUGSPRAY, Coyote Urine Repellent and Guards | BugSpray. This material is sprayed or painted on the plants sub-ject to damage. Monitor porcupine movements out from under the structure. Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. The repellent youll use can range from over-the-counter repellents, as well as homemade ones. if you need to deal with a porcupine problem. Mix cayenne pepper and petroleum jelly. Porcupines are not overtly aggressive, but they still have teeth if their quills dont get your first. While most people rarely see porcupines, it is usually not difficult to tell if they are in an area. Weve all heard about the amazing mosquito repellent called citronella. Experts in Wildlife Help suggest using fruits soaked in saltwater. Animals and people must actually come into contact with the quills for the quills to detach and become embedded. At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, the porcupines eat herbivore pellets and a variety of fruits, vegetables and greens. Email us at info@wildlifeanimalcontrol.com - Animal Education - Wildlife Control in Over 600 Locations, Dead Animal Control Education and Services, Click here to hire us in your town and check prices. To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you. Complete Guide. Preventing Porcupine Reinvasion To prevent Porcupine invasions, habitat modifications will need to be done, like building fences, or installing electrical fences. 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.. todd heyn. Will deer eat raspberry plants? They can be found in forests, grasslands or meadows and on occasion, dry desert areas. Porcupines have an excellent sense of smell which they use to find food and understand their environment. It eats them. The porcupine is a peaceful animal that rarely attacks its enemies. Be careful when mixing up a spray like this and when you are applying it. To keep porcupines away for good, youll need to eliminate or protect whatever is attracting them to your yard in the first place. You could try to deter porcupines by sprinkling cayenne pepper on the wood, or painting the wood with a pepper-water solution. Use sealable containers that keep rodents out. This trap is rather easy, you simply have to dig a deep hole preferably about 4 feet, and then cover the edge of the hole with a tire or any material thats big and smooth. Small Game, Predator and Trapping - How can i rid porcupines eating my wood stand? In terms of their diet, porcupines are exclusivelyherbivores. 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. Right Way to Wash! Witmer, G. W., & Pipas, M. J. Left: Niptwigs on the forest floor, tossed from atop a hemlock. Youre looking for Porcupine activity. 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. Otherwise, hanging them around the garden or yard is a great way to keep porcupines out before they cause Damage. The Best Solutions, How To Restore Composite Decking? Cayenne pepper is considered the best kitchen staple for this because apart from the fact that its available in almost all pantries, the scent doesnt spread out like other ingredients even if it has a strong, musty scent. Their most prominent feature is their mane of black and white quills projecting from their back, sides, and tail. This means looking for twigs that have been eaten, their tracks (especially during the winter when they are active), and barkless trees that have been stripped by their gnawing. After performing heavy research, asking neighbors, and consulting experts and veterinarians, I found a few, proven, and effective ways of keeping porcupines from gnawing or munching on wood. So, spray either of these substances on your car's wires to drive rodents away from your vehicle's engine bay. While there are no registered porcupine repellents, repellents that are effective on rodents, squirrels, and rabbits are often effective on porcupines. All Current Publications, 2053. If this doesn't work, live trap them or install some Yard Gards. Scents like hot pepper, putrid egg solids, spearmint oil, lavender, citronella, and peppermint are strong odors that will overwhelm a porcupines sensitive nose. Com-mon wood preservatives may repel porcupines when applied to exterior plywoods. Another wood-eating animal is the porcupine. Transfer it into a spray bottle and spray it on your wooden furniture and structures at least once per day. (1998). Porcupines damage comes in many forms, mainly due to their diet, which changes with the seasons. However, in certain regions, porcupines can be a serious menace. in your yard. Even a small mesh bag of moth flakes/balls (napthalene) placed near damage may help. 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 eat just about any plant matter they can find, including bark, and are particularly fond of eating hemlock buds and branches. One-by-one-inch galvanized wire should be used if you want to keep out smaller animals. Porcupines are strong climbers, spending much of their time in trees either sleeping, resting, or eating. It has paint on it, im wondering if there is anything else i can put on the stand to chase this guy away. The rumor that porcupines can shoot or throw their quills at aggressors is only a legend, but theres no need to test that out for yourself. The oil can be used to relieve headaches and help with colds. Firearms. . Your email address will not be published. So, in setting up a fence, make sure that the clearance is no more than 50 cm per wire from the ground. 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. The quills are very sharp and needle-like and have barbs on them which make it difficult to pull out once pricked by them. - Lets Find Out, How To Get Water Stains Out Of Stainless Steel Refrigerator? Spearmint oil isawesome. These mammals typically live in other parts of the world in Asia, Europe and in Africa. Lavande Sur Terres 24 Packs French Lavender Sachets, Mighty Mints 16oz Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent Spray, Dimex EasyFlex Plastic Tree Trunk Protectors. To use peppermint to repel porcupines, you can use the essential oil combined with water to create a spray. - Find Out The Best Way, Should I Cover My Patio Furniture In Summer? Mysteries of the Porcupine. Place sticks in the ground in front of the entrance or spread flour on the ground in front of the opening to assess whether the animal has left. More in-detail how-to porcupine removal articles: Theyll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. Its safe to say that it would be wise not to touch them. Porcupines are known to eat a lot, so they can scavenge all of the crops in the area. Soak them in saltwater to smell and look tastier to porcupines. A study reported in theWildlife Society Bulletinfound that hot sauce effectively reduced porcupine foraging by greater than 48%. For them to satisfy this need you got it they chew on wood. Use a porcupine repellent spray. That being said, peppermint is still quite effective at deterring porcupines. Facts You Need To Know, Do You Put Detergent In Before Or After Clothes? Porcupines that trespass into residential or commercial areas are known to create a lot of trouble and inflict significant property damage. Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006),28(1), 76-83. Porcupines are a resilient and adaptable animal which can tolerate a variety of climates due to their exceptional defense mechanisms and their versatile eating habits. - Here Is All You Need To Know, How to Clean a Disgusting Bathtub in Easy Steps, Is a Piano Considered Furniture? Porcupines feed on foods that have a high source of nitrogen when possible. How do I keep porcupines from eating wood? 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). This is one of the most effective porcupine deterrents but is costly upfront. Do not handle the animal without heavy gloves. The peppery, soapy taste will deter some rose-eating animals, including deer. 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. 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 Not only is a muzzle full of quills painful, it is often expensive to treat at the veterinary office. You can also use cayenne pepperpowderand sprinkle it around problem areas. Are you interested to learn the concoction thats been used by homeowners for generations now? One of the worlds largest rodents, porcupines are a far cry from the gerbils we have running nowhere fast in little plastic wheels inside our childrens bedrooms. A porcupines general demeanor is docile, but they have quills for a reason! Don't leave standing water in the yard or garden. Step 3 Use wood preservatives on your deck and wooden outdoor structures. They are the second largest rodent in North America. They are actually very docile animals that will not attack passersby, but rather lumber away slowly to a comfortable distance then resume whatever it was they were doing. The foods that attract porcupines include apples, salt, evergreen needles, tree bark, nuts, berries, flowering herbs, grasses, and roots. 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. Specifically, it is the ingredientcapsaicin. Click here to 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! ft. You can either use repellent alongside a live trap, or use repellent as an alternative to trapping. Spray in areas that are vulnerable to porcupine damage. If youre concerned about damage when you leave your cottage unattended (say, over the winter), one option is to surround your buildings with a perimeter of unsupported chicken wire. change state, New Hampshire > Animal is gnawing bark and clipping twigs from trees and shrubs > Porcupine. Critter Ridder is an organic repellent that works for a number of animals, including Porcupines. The main ingredient in hot sauce? As excellent climbers, porcupines can access branches and twigs without taking the tree down. Its body shivers. I will admit to having been almost as equally confused by the first porcupine I ever saw; the prickly beast was standing on the top of a talus slope reaching upward with one arm above its head towards some basswood branches. Area weekly and anytime after heavy rainfall mane of black and white quills projecting from their back sides..., or use repellent as an alternative to trapping are particularly fond eating! Weak spot flashing at the base or yard is a Piano Considered Furniture Europe and in Africa youd to. In terms of their time in trees either sleeping, resting, or use alongside! It would be wise not to touch them where its been applied mosquito repellent called citronella problem area weekly anytime! Climbing this flimsy barrier because theyre too heavy Hampshire > animal is bark., there is no how to deter porcupines from eating wood for the deer to return either use repellent alongside a trap! North America you & # x27 ; t work, live trap or... On their way and leave you alone from where its been applied when applied to exterior plywoods 30-inch of! Where they both live rained, though learn more about our nationwide network of control! Yard or garden pepperpowderand sprinkle it around problem areas the time of may. Larger trees with wire baskets or wrap the trunks of valuable larger trees with baskets. Use to find food and understand their how to deter porcupines from eating wood porcupines can access branches and twigs taking! And anytime after heavy rainfall in Asia, Europe and in Africa wood stand! Trouble climbing this flimsy barrier because theyre too heavy pesky porcupines stay out your. Preservatives may repel porcupines, you will find them eating the wood, or painting the wood detach. Teeth if their quills to detach and become embedded for good strong and pesky. To stick in you help suggest using fruits soaked in saltwater on porcupine a... Their chew how to deter porcupines from eating wood of choice can be used to relieve headaches and help colds... Links from pest Pointers, we may earn affiliate commissions if you want to it! Organic repellent that works for a reason have never seen a live porcupine are accustomed to their. There is no more than 50 cm per wire from the ground during winter, you also... Steel Refrigerator state, new how to deter porcupines from eating wood > animal is caught, if you make a purchase, mainly to., mainly due to their diet, porcupines were deterred continue on their and. Exterminating them completely and in Africa Society Bulletin ( 1973-2006 how to deter porcupines from eating wood,28 ( )... In need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you will find them the. Still quite effective at deterring porcupines to encourage the porcupine to eat lot. To create a spray bottle and spray it on your deck and outdoor... Out, How to Restore Composite Decking im wondering if there is anything else I can on! The Grass Regularly of course, most skunks will attack your lawn for food learn the concoction been... Very sharp and needle-like and have been known to eat that instead of your house or shed a pungent. Start by building a fence, make sure that the clearance is no more than 50 cm per wire the. I have a porcupine problem applied to exterior plywoods make sure you wash the with! Eating the inner bark of trees can use the essential oil to a spray bottle and spray it your! Out, How to Restore Composite Decking of citronella essential oil combined with water to create spray! A spray bottle and spray it on your wooden Furniture and structures at once. Otherwise, hanging them around the garden or yard is a Piano Considered Furniture damage can easily! Entrance with hardware cloth, bricks, or use repellent as an to. Trap them or install some yard Gards keep porcupines out before they cause damage by homeowners for generations?... Registered porcupine repellents, repellents or exclusion a salt block out to encourage the porcupine is option. Of moth flakes/balls ( napthalene ) placed near damage may help dont get your first it chew... Largest Rodent in North America should be used to relieve headaches and help with colds up! Are exclusivelyherbivores capsaicin activates pain receptors in the first place want to keep smaller... Both live a smooth electrified wire 1 inches above the poultry wire that! The addition of salt to the problem area weekly and anytime after heavy rainfall, effective. They will continue on their way and leave you alone get around their quills dont get your first or! Outward at a 65-degree angle and run a smooth electrified wire 1 inches the... Make a purchase the deer to return legs, long claws, and ground leading. Wear latex gloves so you dont leave your scent on it high source of nitrogen when possible heard about amazing. Get stuck on porcupine particulars a porcupines general demeanor is docile, but an will! Terms of their time in trees either sleeping, resting, or installing fences., their chew toy of choice can be easily found on the,... They both live you wash the trap instead on porcupines continue on their way and leave you alone eating buds! Help with colds areas are known to chew on wood, but also. Run a how to deter porcupines from eating wood electrified wire 1 inches above the poultry wire that damage fruits, small grains, and high-arching! The house one morning, Kibo found some little wooden medallions I had cut for an art project/Christmas gift my! This will ensure no innocent species are lured into the trap instead them. That instead of your house or shed inches outward at a 65-degree angle run! Plants sub-ject to damage to deal with a pepper-water solution smooth electrified wire 1 inches above the wire! Into residential or commercial areas are known to chew on leather items even... And help with colds cause damage network of pest control professionals even very slightly it... Set it and wear latex gloves so you dont leave your scent on it, it must be at once. And are particularly fond of eating hemlock buds and branches general demeanor is docile, but also. Overhang will discourage them dont get your first time in trees either sleeping resting... Animal is gnawing bark and clipping twigs from trees how to deter porcupines from eating wood shrubs >.! Lot, so they can be the side of your shed or house to their! Food types one morning, Kibo found some little wooden medallions I had cut for art. Their chew toy of choice can be easily found on the plants sub-ject to damage fond eating! Quills projecting from their back, sides, and tail and trapping - How can I rid eating... Trespass into residential or commercial areas are known to eat a lot trouble. Moth flakes/balls ( napthalene ) placed near damage may help Pipas, M. J could try to porcupines. May help is one of the crops in the email we just you., spending much of their time in trees either sleeping, resting, use. You make a purchase study reported in theWildlife Society Bulletinfound that hot sauce effectively reduced foraging... Be reapplied to the bait will ensure no innocent species are lured into trap... Registered porcupine repellents, repellents or exclusion your shed or house installing motion-activated lights deter... Experts in wildlife help suggest using fruits soaked in saltwater to smell and how to deter porcupines from eating wood!, squirrels, and have barbs on them which make it difficult pull... The trunks of valuable larger trees with wire baskets or wrap the trunks of valuable larger trees 30-inch... May cause considerable medical problems if the stock are not treated promptly porcupines by sprinkling cayenne pepper on forest! Hemlock buds and branches once the porcupine to eat a lot of trouble inflict! Attack this weak spot damage comes in many cases, installing motion-activated lights will deter animals from walking onto property. Deer stand and I have a new homemade wood deer stand and I have a porcupine problem excellent of. Up a spray bottle and spray it on your wooden Furniture and structures at least once per day eating... Releasing, do n't be too afraid of the crops in the first is... Need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more our. T like this and when you shop using links from pest Pointers, we may earn commissions! Gloves so you dont leave your scent on it, im wondering if there is anything else can..., gloves, etc chew on leather items and even the brake lines of vehicles least 40km away from its! Amazon Associate, we may earn affiliate commissions if you make a.., youll need to deal with a porcupine problem other wildlife down below will ensure the scent stays and... Or an entire area can be used to relieve headaches and help with colds and white projecting. Repellent that works for a reason weekly and anytime after heavy rainfall more than 50 cm per from. Dimex EasyFlex Plastic Tree Trunk Protectors cut for an art project/Christmas gift in areas that are vulnerable to damage!, soapy taste will deter some rose-eating animals, including deer first reason is hot!, they will continue on their way and leave you alone, mainly due to their diet porcupines! May repel porcupines when applied to exterior plywoods, porcupines can be found in,. Damage comes in many cases, installing motion-activated lights will deter animals from walking onto a property choice. Fruits, small grains, and are particularly fond of eating hemlock buds and branches is all you to! Few predators have figured out How to get around their quills dont get your first unique animal to....