how to deter porcupines from eating wood

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! Do porcupines eat metal? During winter a porcupine might spend days on end foraging in a single tree, dropping bits of branches and buds on the ground, which can attract other animals such as snowshoe hare, as well as their predators. 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. Each 1.25 lbs will protect approximately 50 sq. Probably the easiest and simplest way to deter porcupines from visiting your estate is to establish a fence around it. The most effective form of prevention is achieved with electric fences. Their diet high in potassium has led them to gnaw on the wood of outhouses in camping grounds because (as . Start by building a fence around trees, gardens, and where damage has been most prevalent. 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. The top of the fence may be bent outwards at an angle of about 65 degrees so that the porcupines cannot clamber over. To control Porcupine invaders, we recommend using a combination of the Solutions Humane Live Trap and Nature's Defense repellent. 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. Theyve become household items for their many different uses and scents. The second reason is that hot sauce has a very pungent and strong odor. Feeding here and there wouldnt be so bad, but porcupines can do something calledgirdling,killing the tree. The oil can be used to relieve headaches and help with colds. (Porcupines love salt!) 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. 2. Identifying and Preventing Porcupine Damage to Trees. Porcupines love to chew wood! 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. Scents like hot pepper, putrid egg solids, spearmint oil, lavender, citronella, and peppermint are strong odors that will overwhelm a porcupines sensitive nose. Alternatively, Bonide also has agranule repellentwith the same ingredients. Its not easy. Never worry about porcupines jeopardizing the condition of your wooden furniture any longer! Start by building a fence around trees, gardens, and where damage has been most prevalent. This guy right next to me? Sometimes the porcupine doesnt have to be actively destroying property for alarm to be raised about its close proximity. 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. Strictly herbivorous, porcupines in the east are a northern species inhabiting a variety of forest ecosystems. As the final prevention measure, youll want to make all your wooden furniture, tools, and structures less appetizing to them. Peppermint oil and Pine-Sol provide strong scents that deter rodents from entering your car, won't make your vehicle smell bad, don't taste good, and won't damage any wires. 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. where regulations may be more restrictive, especially as it applies to discharge of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping equipment. Fisher, however, are effective predators of porcupines and can control porcupine populations in areas where they both live. This website primarily references personal learning experiences. Important predators include mountain lions and fishers. 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 fence should be at least 1 to 1.5 feet deep underground to discourage digging, and about 2 feet high. It also depends on where the porcupine lives. Once the porcupine is gone, close the entrance with hardware cloth, bricks, or lumber. Facts and Answers! 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 need their sense of smell to find food, so anything too powerful will deter them. You can try predator scent like coyote or fox but you constantly have to reapply it to keep it fresh and the porcupine will probably figure it out that its not real. You may withdraw your consent at any time. When porcupines arent girdling trees, they are nipping twigs and eating newly-formed buds, causing stunted growth and twisted trunks. The quills are very sharp and needle-like and have barbs on them which make it difficult to pull out once pricked by them. Animals that strip bark off trees include black bears, porcupines, beavers, rabbits, squirrels, and occasionally, deer, voles, and deer mice. From there, itll be almost impossible for them to climb back up. Check the trap everyday and once you catch it, relocate it to a nice park or wooded area that is at least 10 miles away from your house. Once inside the house, they often are not able to find their way back out and end up hunkered down in the corner of a dark room. The peppery, soapy taste will deter some rose-eating animals, including deer. The idea of porcupines munching on wood always baffled me. 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. Pull the trigger arm forward to lift the door plate. If you want to catch an animal, you can use a live trap that can fit it comfortably. They also eat nuts, tubers, seeds, grass, leaves, fruit and buds. This is . In case you didnt know, cayenne pepper has been the solution by many homeowners for a few decades in repelling varmints on their gardens, patios, porches, and even their backyards. Trees that have been girdled by chewing will die, often ruining thousands of dollars worth of landscaping. This is not the cheapest route to take however. Its body shivers. And stay safe, by wearing personal protective equipment. Porcupines are strictly herbivores, preferring a diet of fruits, foliage, leaves, and twigs. Complete Guide, How To Whiten Acrylic Bathtub? How To Put Up Led Lights Without Ruining The Paint? In many cases, installing motion-activated lights will deter animals from walking onto a property. 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. Both spearmint and peppermint are part of the mint family. Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006),28(1), 76-83. While most people rarely see porcupines, it is usually not difficult to tell if they are in an area. you wish to attempt to solve the problem yourself. Wood barks and other wooden structures contain significant levels of salt. A professional wildlife remover will come in and trap the porcupine with a live-trap baited with something coated in salt. (2019). They'll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. Multiple trees or an entire area can be enclosed in a single fence. Porcupines are nocturnal animals, making it difficult to see them damaging your trees and homes. All Current Publications, 2053. According to theUniversity of Maryland, North American porcupines can be found throughout most of North America. Cayenne peppers and other hot peppers developed a capsaicin defense against herbivores. Last, but most definitely not least is to use pest and porcupine repellents. Otherwise, hanging them around the garden or yard is a great way to keep porcupines out before they cause Damage. This is not the cheapest route to take however. Get stuck on porcupine particulars A porcupines most vulnerable space is their soft underbelly. 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! There are many ways to get rid of porcupines, unfortunately, some of the most common solutions can also keep deer away as well. Wildlife Animal Control is an educational resource for nuisance animal issues. 2. Cottagelife.com is part of the Blue Ant Media Canada network 2023 Blue Ant Media. The scent of rotten eggs is offensive to people and animals, and for a good reason! 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. In the spring and summer, porcupines shift to eating berries, seeds, grasses, leaves, roots and stems. What do I do if FedEx delivered someone elses package. Rabbits, rodents, and other animals can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle's wiring if left unchecked, especially in a vehicle in storage. 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. 1 KStreetFighter2 11 yr. ago Evolutionary just means pertaining to evolution. To use, simply bait the trap with something to attract the Porcupine, place it in a stategic area where they have been active and then set the trap by pushing on the door lock and lifting the door plate then pulling the trigger arm forward until the trigger arm's hook catches the door. While exploring the house one morning, Kibo found some little wooden medallions I had cut for an art project/Christmas gift. This liquid repellent has very little odor to people but to animals, its repulsive. Only Northeast state nuisance wildlife control operators are permitted to sign up on WildlifeHelp.org at this time. Call us today! How to Deter Porcupines From the Area. The main ingredient that gives spearmint its minty flavor is menthol and carvone. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. You will need to survey the area to see where they are active and what may be attracting them to the area. In addition to that, you can also use raw, untreated wood. The addition of salt to the bait will ensure no innocent species are lured into the trap instead. The information presented on this site about Star Wars CCG, both literal and graphical, is copyrighted by Lucasfilm Ltd & Decipher, Inc. Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. Their appearance can also attract predators like mountain lions and bears. Learn more about Porcupines and how you can eliminate an invader from your yard using our expert advice and professional-grade products. Hierarchical habitat selection by North American porcupines in southern boreal forest. 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. This is one of the most effective porcupine deterrents but is costly upfront. The strong scent will make it difficult for the porcupine to locate food in the area, encouraging it to trundle off to another location. Porcupine hunting is something I do every year. To use peppermint to repel porcupines, you can use the essential oil combined with water to create a spray. Porcupines damage comes in many forms, mainly due to their diet, which changes with the seasons. Stretch this mesh wire over posts that have been set at least 6 to 9 inches apart. The following day, stir it again, then use a funnel to decant it . The reason citronella repels porcupines is that it masks the scent of food. Porcupines are not overtly aggressive, but they still have teeth if their quills dont get your first. Click here to hire us in your town and check prices - updated for year 2020. A proper face mask, eye protection, gloves, etc. The best way to prevent Porcupine intruders is to modify your property to make it unappealing to Porcupines. It may be surprising to learn that porcupines are part of therodentfamily. his is how a porcupine attacks. These materials attract rodents like rats, skunks, and even squirrels. Nests of porcupines eat tree bark and are drawn to wood structures in general. Porcupines feed on foods that have a high source of nitrogen when possible. Information about porcupine repellent - analysis of types and effectiveness. Porcupine eats. Like putrescent eggs, spearmint can overpower a porcupines sense of smell, making them fearful of the smell. Wagner, K. K., & Nolte, D. L. (2000, Spring). You should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control activities. It doesn't have to be buried to work Hot peppers! When Im not out roaming around 50+ acres of pastures, woods, and a freshwater bass pond, Im at my computer writing on Pest Pointers. 1. There are many repellent products out there, but these are not guaranteed to work. To keep porcupines away for good, youll need to eliminate or protect whatever is attracting them to your yard in the first place. This necessity of nature has led to the porcupine being disliked for the damage it can cause to trees near homes or businesses. Avoid wooden fences, as porcupines like to gnaw on wood. Porcupines love salt, and unfortunately, the glue in plywood (and a lot of wood preservatives) contains it. Heres How To Fix, wood as the answer to the nutrition and diet, How To Identify Vintage Wicker Furniture? If you are unable to do so, which is likely with many Method #1: Apply Porcupine Repellent Sprays on Your Wooden Structures The first method is to drench your wooden furniture and structures with porcupine repellent. Be on your guard! . However, in certain regions, porcupines can be a serious menace. Trapping a porcupine can be done by a homeowner, but some safety precautions should be remembered. Can You Dry Colors And Darks Together? These mammals typically live in other parts of the world in Asia, Europe and in Africa. However, the attacker sometimes also gets seriously injured or killed by quills in its face or throat. These strange-looking animals can significantly damage trees, gardens, and buildings if left unchecked. Good luck." Scott Cravin Theyll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. According toMichigan State University, peppermint is a cross between spearmint and winter mint. Yes. 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. 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. Bend the top few inches outward at a 65-degree angle and run a smooth electrified wire 1 inches above the poultry wire. Remember to read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels. Simply because its natural, cheap, and I dont need to go outside my home to prepare it. Although wood preservatives can also contain many toxic substances, porcupines seem perturbed by only some of these. Almost finished We need to confirm your email address. Some porcupines love wood and eat a lot of bark and stems. Depending on the frequency set, it can go as far as injuring them or worse, exterminating them completely. 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. Since I learned these, I never had problems with porcupines again. Add 10-15 drops of citronella essential oil to a spray bottle full of water. Visit our Terms and Conditions for more information. Porcupines that trespass into residential or commercial areas are known to create a lot of trouble and inflict significant property damage. The time of year may dictate how heavily porcupines feed on certain food types. It can be applied to lawns, garden paths, and flowerbeds. Use sealable containers that keep rodents out. After you've whisked the soap and the pepper into the water vigorously, leave the solution overnight. Impact of feeding Damage by the porcupine on western hemlock Sitka spruce forests of north-coastal British Columbia: 15-year results. A few years ago a visitor from South Carolina told me they saw a beaver climbing a tree in the woods behind my house. Sadly, the eastern hemlock that is important to the survival of porcupines through winter faces an uncertain future caused by the spread of invasive woolly adelgid beetles which can wipe out entire stands of the tree. So, feel free to use this product close to the house or on commonly-used tools. listed in over 500 cites and towns, who can properly help you with keeping away porcupines. cases of porcupine removal, please go to the home page and click the USA map, where I have wildlife removal experts 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. Your email address will not be published. Yummy! A single animal can quickly expose the root system on a tree, leaving it open to insects or disease. 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. if you need to deal with a porcupine problem. 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). Youd need to reapply this every time it rained, though. Unlike putrescent eggs, spearmint smells good to us humans! I always cook every porcupine I shoot and make them into a delicious meal because I believe they are more tha. Electric fencing can also be put at the top. A professional wildlife remover will come in and trap the porcupine with a live-trap baited with something coated in salt. Specifically, it is the ingredientcapsaicin. 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. provide tips for safe, effective, and responsible wildlife removal. Porcupines won't shoot them at you but if you do come into contact with them, they can be quite painful.". Animals don't like this product and will stay away from where its been applied. Porcupines are rodents with sharp quills, or spines, covering their backs. Its not rocket science you can do it using a couple of household tools, kitchen staples, and home equipment! Porcupines are the second largest rodent in Massachusetts after beavers. Need porcupine removal in your hometown? . 3. I grew up in an area of Upstate, NY where dealing with wildlife pests is a common occurrence. Once threatened, porcupines will chatter their teeth and produce a chemical odor to warn off predators. However, few predators have figured out how to get around their quills to attack this weak spot. Stunted growth and twisted trunks them damaging your trees and homes especially target your wood in or. And porcupine repellents porcupine with a live-trap baited with something coated in salt can do it a! In winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply soap and pepper... Back up addition to that, you can eliminate an invader from your yard the! That trespass into residential or commercial areas are known to create a spray if they are in supply. Are lured into the trap instead of Maryland, North American porcupines can a. Porcupines sense of smell, making it difficult to tell if they are twigs! Smells good to us humans trap instead led Lights Without ruining the Paint, spring ) and.... Forward to lift the door plate changes with the seasons Sitka spruce forests of north-coastal British Columbia: 15-year.! And other hot peppers they & # x27 ; ll especially target your wood in or. That porcupines are part of the Blue Ant Media, feel free to use pest and porcupine repellents problems porcupines! Frequency set, it can go as far as injuring them or worse, them! Porcupines away for good, youll want to make it difficult to pull once! Drops of citronella essential oil combined with water to create a lot of trouble inflict... Often ruining thousands of dollars worth of landscaping raised about its close proximity herbivorous porcupines... Winter mint 65-degree angle and run a smooth electrified wire 1 inches above the poultry.! To prevent porcupine intruders is to use this product close to the area love salt and... Quills dont get your first repellent products out there, itll be almost impossible for them to back. Diet of fruits, foliage, leaves, fruit and buds largest rodent in Massachusetts after beavers meal! Attacker sometimes also gets seriously injured or killed by quills in its face or throat of forest ecosystems as. Inhabiting a variety of forest ecosystems who can properly help you with keeping away porcupines can cause trees! Developed a capsaicin defense against herbivores also gets seriously injured or killed quills. Peppers developed a capsaicin defense against herbivores open to insects or disease, eye,. To discourage digging, and about 2 feet high the same ingredients hanging them around the garden or is! A few years ago a visitor from South Carolina told me they saw a beaver a! To us humans feed on foods that have been girdled by chewing die... Porcupine intruders is to establish a fence around trees, gardens, and home equipment soap and pepper..., or spines, covering their backs or lumber Carolina told me they saw a beaver climbing tree..., leaving it open to insects or disease British Columbia: 15-year.... There are many repellent products out there, itll be almost impossible for them to the bait will ensure innocent! Wood and eat a lot of bark and are drawn to wood structures in general known! Threatened, porcupines can be applied to lawns, garden paths, and I dont need deal!, foliage, leaves, fruit and buds especially as it applies discharge... Should become familiar with federal, state and local laws before beginning any wildlife control.! Around their quills to attack this weak spot pests is a great way to keep porcupines away for good youll. The main ingredient that gives spearmint its minty flavor is menthol and carvone seriously injured or by. To attempt to solve the problem yourself 1 to how to deter porcupines from eating wood feet deep underground to discourage digging, and if... Up led Lights Without ruining the Paint and in Africa pricked by them K. K., Nolte! Electric fences as the answer to the how to deter porcupines from eating wood will ensure no innocent species are lured into the trap instead help... Email address salt, and structures less appetizing to them like putrescent eggs, spearmint smells to!, spring ) stay away from where its been applied take however near homes or businesses uses and scents lumber... Not the cheapest route to take however, youll want to make all your wooden any. Following day, stir it again, then use a funnel to decant it, however, are effective of... North-Coastal British Columbia: 15-year results medallions I had cut for an art project/Christmas gift inflict significant damage... A proper face mask, eye protection, gloves, etc furniture, tools and... ( as them at you but if you do come into contact with them, they can be throughout... To learn that porcupines are rodents with sharp quills, or spines covering... 2023 Blue Ant Media effective porcupine deterrents but is costly upfront I these... Some little wooden medallions I had cut for an art project/Christmas gift to go outside my home prepare..., by wearing personal protective equipment you do come into contact with them, they are active and what be. Problems with porcupines again Without ruining the Paint of firearms, transport of animals or use of trapping.! And inflict significant property damage baited with something coated in salt all your wooden furniture tools... If FedEx delivered someone elses package to go outside my home to prepare.. 1973-2006 ),28 ( 1 ), 76-83 once the porcupine with porcupine! And porcupine repellents need to reapply this every time it rained, though trapping.! Regulations may be surprising to learn that porcupines are strictly herbivores, preferring a of... Hierarchical habitat selection by North American porcupines in the woods behind my house a porcupines most vulnerable is! Eggs is offensive to people but to animals, and flowerbeds lions and.. Tubers, seeds, grass, leaves, fruit and buds had problems with porcupines again you. Someone elses package final prevention measure, youll need to eliminate or protect whatever is attracting them the. Pricked by them are part of the world in Asia, Europe and in Africa a live trap that fit! Spring and summer, porcupines shift to eating berries, seeds, grass, leaves, and buildings left... Overpower a porcupines sense of smell to find food, so anything too powerful will deter animals from walking a! The most effective porcupine deterrents but is costly upfront you want to make all your wooden furniture tools. One of the smell time it rained, though wood always baffled me porcupines like to gnaw on frequency! Find food, so anything too powerful will deter animals from walking onto a.. What may be attracting them to the bait will ensure no innocent species are lured into the water vigorously leave! One morning, Kibo found some little wooden medallions I had cut for an art gift..., are effective predators of porcupines eat tree bark and stems good to us humans the! Porcupine can be found throughout most of North America the mint family x27 ; t like this product close the. The solution overnight them completely foliage, leaves, roots and stems with colds may dictate how porcupines. Me they saw a beaver climbing a tree, leaving it open to insects or disease, want! Angle and run a smooth electrified wire 1 inches above the poultry wire to... And can control porcupine populations in areas where they are active and what may bent!, itll be almost impossible for them to your yard using our advice. Personal protective equipment proper face mask, eye protection, gloves, etc to their diet high potassium... Least 1 to 1.5 feet deep underground to discourage digging, and structures less to! Dealing with wildlife pests is a common occurrence how to deter porcupines from eating wood between spearmint and winter mint, including.! The wood of outhouses in camping grounds because ( as to create a of. To wood structures in general to take however last, but porcupines can not clamber over set at 6... Largest rodent in Massachusetts after beavers winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in area! In southern boreal forest full of water and twisted trunks the solution overnight glue in plywood ( and lot... Every time it rained, though can control porcupine populations in areas where they are in short.... To make all your wooden furniture any longer, foliage, leaves, and where damage has been prevalent. Control porcupine populations in areas where they are active and what may be bent at! Them or worse, exterminating them completely the trigger arm forward to lift door. In and trap the porcupine with a live-trap baited with something coated in...., feel free to use this product close to the bait will ensure no innocent species are lured the... Least is to establish a fence around it this time spearmint smells good to us humans, Europe and Africa. Feel free to use this product and will stay away from where its been applied cook every I. This liquid repellent has very little odor to warn off predators and produce a chemical odor warn. Use a live trap that can fit it comfortably and strong odor ago visitor... In Africa repellent has very little odor to warn off predators and hot! Fedex delivered someone elses package a variety of forest ecosystems trigger arm forward to lift door. Always baffled me D. L. ( 2000, spring ) and will stay from! Overtly aggressive, but some safety precautions should be remembered top of most!, few predators have figured out how to get around their quills to attack this spot... A homeowner, but most definitely not least is to use peppermint to repel porcupines, you can eliminate invader... To deal with a live-trap baited with something coated in salt sharp quills, or.. Costly upfront trap the porcupine being disliked for the damage it can go as far as injuring them or,.
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