I've been told that adding cayenne pepper to bird seed is a good way to to keep squirrels and other rodents from eating it. Uldis Roze compares and contrasts porcupines in terms of body plan, behavior, ecology, reproduction, and evolutionary relationships. Required fields are marked *. Several traps can be used to hold down the animal, some of them are; It is essential to mention that trapping this animal is not legal everywhere, so find out if it is legal in your locality. They will munch on berries, carrots, garden eggs, etc. Are you interested in how to get rid of porcupines? Bones also give them important minerals, like salt and calcium, to keep them healthy. Primitive Technology: Make Big Porcupine Trap - How To Make Big Porcupine Trap Work That Work 100% !Thank you so much for watching. Cut a piece of sterling-silver wire with jewelry wire cutters. If you are unable to do so, which is likely with many They can even finish up your horse saddle because of the salt in the horse’s sweat, which has gotten to the saddle. The North American porcupine is the only species found in the United States and Canada. Using Pepper Spray. Porcupines are also known to eat bugs and small lizards every now and then. I ask because when backpacking with my friend down on the Allegheny Plateau, he puts a box of moth balls under his van, which supposedly keeps them away. Carrie Frickman / DJ Case and Associates Fencing trees and gardens is the most effective way to prevent porcupine damage. When trapped, the animal can be shot dead, especially for places where killing porcupines are legal. Bait the trap with a salted material, cloth sponge, or any other salted material. Anyway I know that it can only keep him in but it can't keep other animals out. This is a humane method of eliminating the pest. Porcupines are highly mobile, and they move very fast, which is why relocating them after trapping, may not be as effective as you expect it to be- they’ll probably come back. We service over 500 USA locations! Porcupines are considered exotic pets because they are wild animals and not typically kept as pets. (And despite common rumor, a porcupine cannot “shoot” its quills at a person. However, it will not shoot its quills unless it is being attacked, and then its quill is not as deadly as we perceive it. Even though a porcupine is said to be an easy-going animal, it does not hesitate to attack whenever it feels threatened. I could see the same idea here with porcupines. You can do this if it is legal to kill porcupine in your state. Porcupines have soft hair, but on their back, sides, and tail it is usually mixed with sharp quills. For this reason, if you trap a porcupine, be sure to cover the trap in a tarp while transporting the animal. It is inexpensive and easy to purchase. their love for salt is so crazy that if you leave your sweaty shirt, outside, and they can gnaw on it. Porcupines are attracted to anything salty. © Copyright 2020 by Wildlife Animal Control. Because they are rodents, porcupines have a need to chew. Meet the Gentle Porcupine. How to Keep Raccoons Away From My Deer Feeder. You can use a hot pepper sauce or capsaicin, mix it up with water and spray it around your yard. Once the animal is caught, you must relocate to a very far away location, especially if killing the animal is against the law in your region. When it comes to control of large, tree-chewing rodents with thousands of sharp quills, most people turn to the help of a professional wildlife remover. However, you need to plan how to trap the porcupine in your yard. Body gripping traps can be gotten at your local store, or you can place an order online. Its quill has topical antibiotics, which are self-healing mechanisms that help whenever it mistakenly quills itself or its buddy. It doesn’t have to be high, just ensure that you install an electric wire around the fence and even to the ground- this will deter the animal. Once the porcupine has been acquired, it will be relocated into an area away from humans. The porcupine can be baited with salty food or vegetables. A few meters away from the truck works. Do not handle the animal without heavy gloves. Read more on my detailed how to keep away porcupines page. Basic steps can help initially, like wire fencing put around trees, but the fencing can damage the tree eventually, and is not practical if you have more than a handful on the property. Your email address will not be published. "Porcupines: The Animal Answer Guide" presents solid, current science in the field of porcupine biology. This is why you need to plan their eviction once you spot them anywhere in your environment. The addition of salt to the bait will ensure no innocent species are lured into the trap instead. The scent of some of the porcupine’s predators is beneficial. "Porcupines: The Animal Answer Guide" presents solid, current science in the field of porcupine biology. You will also need to keep your pets and children away from a trapped porcupine. If you didn’t know these creatures were rodents, you probably didn’t know they have over thirty thousand needles that cover their bodies, that their quills can be used for fishing, or that they are considered an edible animal. Field-Nat. They can bring down an entire structure made of wood- they don’t care. Tools, gun stocks, plywood, leather horse saddles, and antlers shed by many deer species, all fall victim to the salty cravings of the porcupine, so take note and never leave your tools out at night when camping. How to Get Rid of Porcupines in Your Yard The Porcupine Life Cycle. More so, the presence of porcupines in your yard will invite other dangerous animals that are predators to a porcupine. Captured porcupines are easily relocated into state forest. Some of these methods are; Building a right fence is a sure way to ensure that the rodent stays off your property. Use round-nose pliers to twist the wire around the beads in a design. Prince George, Bear Lake and area is … Pick the trap calmly without making any noise Put a towel or a paper over it to avoid scaring the animal Also keep yourself protected from any injury from … They’ll especially target your wood in winter or early spring, when natural food sources are in short supply. However, you must stick to the recommended usage. We also provide professional service in over 600 locations. I would like to know what the technique is for training a dog so that it doesn't learn the hard way to avoid porkies. This article discusses several control options that work. A porcupine’s quill will expand upon entering the skin, which is why it is so hard to remove the needles once they have caused an injury. But then, you cannot stop planting the vegetables you need just because of the rodents love vegetables. Trees that have been girdled by chewing will die, often ruining thousands of dollars’ worth of landscaping. More so, there are states where the relocation of porcupines is illegal. To get rid of porcupines, it is crucial to know the things that attract them. Swift porcupine control is the best way to take care of this problem. If you don’t get from any local store, you can place your order online to get the spray. Not only is a muzzle full of quills painful, it is often expensive to treat at the veterinary office. There are ‘Pests’ with the capital P. Porcupines are one of such Pests, you don’t ever want them anywhere around you. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Thoroughly hose off or wipe down vehicles and vehicle parts to remove accumulated salt. I plan to cover the building with felt paper this fall, but I don't think this will keep porcupines away. Fortunately, Porcupines can be easily identified by the thick layer of brown/black fur and thousands of long spiky quills (or spines) all over their body. These rodents are known for their love for salt and their hate for pepper. But you need to know that if after you use it, it gets too windy or the rain starts, there will be a need to reapply right after the shower for effectiveness. Sprinkle a porcupine repellent around your yard. A piece of wood is also an excellent bait for trapping. (Porcupines love salt!) Pulling the quills often traumatizes the flesh more than the initial stab. This is a material which was created for keeping flocks of nuisance birds like pigeons or starlings from roosting in trees. But the reality is, transferring the animal is not as humane as it appears to be. Trapping is the simplest method of eradicating rodents. Raccoons are nocturnal mammals known for the black around their eyes. Information about porcupine trapping - analysis and methods for how to trap. If you have used a lethal trap, porcupine quills are still a threat to you. Here in the Koots, many people use the chicken wire approach at keeping them away, other use rocks, logs, branches or whatever is handy. Sometimes the porcupine doesn’t have to be actively destroying property for alarm to be raised about its close proximity. This will inform the kind of bait you can use against the animal. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Also, coyote urine scent can be sprayed near the porcupine dens or ruins to make it want to escape and therefore get trapped. This puts us about 1/2 hour from the nearest town now. Your email address will not be published. The animal does not like to go through the stress of climbing, especially when it’s not a tree. These nocturnal animals tend to keep to themselves, but can become a nuisance in certain situations. This site is intended to provide education and information about how to keep porcupines away from your house, yard, garbage cans, shed, so that you can make an informed decision They pose a danger to people, pets and property. The reason is that if you successfully relocate back to the forest, it has a very little chance of survival. Our nearest neighbor being a mile away, completley undeveloped area, bordered by timber land that goes for miles. Uldis Roze compares and contrasts porcupines in terms of body plan, behavior, ecology, reproduction, and evolutionary relationships. Information about how to catch a porcupine - remove one stuck in the house. But once you have installed a chicken wire around the fence with a wiring board on the ground, it will stop them from getting into your yard. One of the world’s largest rodents, porcupines are a far cry from the gerbils we have running nowhere fast in little plastic wheels inside our children’s bedrooms. A professional wildlife remover will come in and trap the porcupine with a live-trap baited with something coated in salt. Anyway my dog is contained and trained with an inground petsafe fence. Also, knowing what they love the most will help you understand what you need to keep away when you notice they are around your environment. Porcupines are smart rodents; when they realize that it’s just a trick, they’ll come back to your yard. The quills are made to release from the body when contact occurs, but they cannot actually jump any amount of distance.) And guess what? This is a real hot pepper, so you have to be careful when you want to use it. Information about how to kill a porcupine - with poison or other methods. He examines the diversity of porcupines from around the world - from North and South America to Africa and Asia. Miles City, Mont: Bureau of Land Management, Miles City District Office. Follow Steps 2 and 3 for cutting and cleaning the quill. Porcupines are hazardous and destructive pests. listed in over 500 cites and towns, who can properly help you with keeping away porcupines. You can order steel leg hold trap online in case you don’t find it in your local store, This trap catches and kills the animal, so you have to make sure it does not trap other animals because it will not release any animal it catches by mistake. If you can transfer the animal, you should call the animal control department within your area. Make a hair stick with porcupine quills. Salt bait and be used for this trap. The only problem with this trick is that it does not last. An average porcupine has about 30,000 quills on its body- you don’t want to mess with it. This necessity of nature has led to the porcupine being disliked for the damage it can cause to trees near homes or businesses. So winter road salt can attract them to automotive parts and rubber, including brake lines, fuel lines, tires, half-shaft boots, etc. Porcupines are herbivores, and their love for plants is exceptional. If possible, do not handle the animal at all. Some exotic pet lovers however are not discouraged by the challenges or be scared to keep porcupines as pets. Their unique features have generated great interests from some humans but a majority of us wouldn't be looking to keep porcupines as pets. Once the animal is caught, if you want to relocate it, it must be at least 40km away from your home. You create a cage trap with a box, or you can use some large commercial wires that are just about 32 x 10 x 12 inches of about 81 x 25 x 30 or 31 cm to make a cage trap. read more about how to get rid of porcupines. For farmers, porcupines are high rates pest because they can cause you a lot in cash when they damaged fruit or food crops. To secure your fence, you can get a chicken wire on top of it, in case a stubborn porcupine insists on an adventure into your yard. (Porcupines love salt!) if you need to deal with a porcupine problem. Another thing they love to eat is vegetables. Porcupine Repellents As you may already know, there are thousands of products on the market being advertised to get rid of porcupines such as repellants. He examines the diversity of porcupines from around the world - from North and South America to Africa and Asia. What you should worry about is the fact that they are diggers. Yeah... Not fun! Once the porcupine has been … A single animal can quickly expose the root system on a tree, leaving it open to insects or disease. How to Get Rid of Porcupines 1-888-488-7720. The quills are very sharp and needle-like and have barbs on them which make it difficult to pull out once pricked by them. Getting rid of porcupines does not have to be a difficult task. But if you can’t stand the pain of having to make it into a spray, then you can get a concentrate from garden shops in your local area. The strongest force in nature is something every porcupine is born with - Instinctive Fear of Predators. The fence does not have to be tall; after all, the rodents are not a jumper. If possible, keep vehicles in a garage or erect a temporary fence around vehicles. One hunting group's web site publicized training workshops featuring a caged live porcupine to teach dogs to avoid porcupines. I have a small building in a heavily wooded (and heavily populated by porcupines) area in Michigan. Though they don't eat meat, porcupines chew on bones to sharpen their teeth. The addition of salt to the bait will ensure no innocent species are lured into the trap instead. Select a headpin and four beads. Some of the things that porcupines are attracted to are; Porcupines love salt, all kinds of salt, table salt, salty snacks, sweaty salts, salty rain, salty snow, etc. Now, from henceforth, you’re back to being the sole owner of your property. If you reside in a place where the winter snow is salty, it is a potential risk for the cars parked outside because porcupines will gnaw on your tires is covered in salty snow. So … There are other methods of eradicating the pest that is effective enough to ensure that porcupines don’t return to your yard. After getting the approval from your local authorities its time to relocate the porcupine away from your property. If you also need to protect your trees, you should install the electric wire around the trees. You can either make a trap by yourself or can get some live traps you at your local store; otherwise, place your order online. 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. Porcupines are normally nocturnal creatures. Avoid contact with your hands, so you must make use of hand gloves. Ensure that you don’t buy traps that are too small for the animal- this is dangerous, the quills of the animal will be all out, and you know what that means. 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. Set the trap by the den of porcupines or around the damages caused by them. cases of porcupine removal, please go to the home page and click the USA map, where I have wildlife removal experts Information about porcupine repellent - analysis of types and effectiveness. You can make your trip by yourself, and you can buy traps at any of your local stores. Non-toxic porcupine repellants, like Shake-Away, … The obvious threat of porcupines is their quills. So spraying pepper all around the plants and the trees will repel them. Dogs are notorious for tangling with porcupines, and most dogs are often repeat offenders. The best method of controlling porcupines is to prevent them from entering your yard. Alternatively, you could place an order online for pepper concentrate. This is when they arrive in a garden; it turns into a mess- one that is difficult to fix. Is there any type of paint or other coating that will repel those nasty porkies? you wish to attempt to solve the problem yourself. This site provides many porcupine control articles and strategies, if they will gnaw on any wood that comes their way and destroy it, and the damage they cause on wooden structures most times cannot be fixed. When it sees a fence, it leaves the place and searches for a more welcoming fenceless place to carry out its menace. The inground fence covers 1000feet of our property which my dog Rex loves to have that much freedom. will keep porcupines away. Repellants can be sprayed on any plants that you don't want the porcupines to eat. The animals can weigh up to 30 pounds and be up to 2 1/2 feet long. Wildlife Animal Control is an educational resource for nuisance animal issues. Place the beads on the headpin in the desired order. However, if you plan to use it for just a short term, you can buy coyote or fox scent from any of your local stores that have a hunting supply department. 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. Porcupines love salt and will be inclined to enter the trap as long as it is on a flat surface and doesn’t wobble. Knowing that there is a possibility of some other creature that could have made a fine meal of them, they would of course just try to save their lives and avoid coming near the place where the smell is found. Another liquid repellent which works great at keeping them away is LIQUID BIRD REPELLENT. Killing porcupines with a gun ensures that those are animals are gone for good from your property, especially if you are good with a gun. It can be painted or sprayed on trees creating a surface which is both very sticky and irritating. It gives porcupines the feeling that their predators are around, and then they’ll leave your yard. Trapping a porcupine can be done by a homeowner, but some safety precautions should be remembered. You could try to deter porcupines by sprinkling cayenne pepper on the wood, or painting the wood with a pepper-water solution. Make certain the bottom of the wire mesh is always at or below ground level. Porcupines are not just one of those pests that do their thing; they are disasters. They can bring down a whole tree just for the sake of having lunch or dinner. 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. Other than this, you can make use of some predators’ urine like that of a coyote to scare them away. Whether is a building, wooden boat, horse saddles, trees, etc. When leaving a car over night, has anyone ever had, or heard of a problem with porcupines chewing on brake lines at Catskill trail heads? However, fencing your yard is the best preventive measure against the pest. Click here to Porcupines have their young from April to May and the juveniles stay with the females for the first summer of their lives. You’d need to reapply this every time it rained, though. Porcupines have also been known to enter homes through the dog or cat door in search of food. Porcupines are not overtly aggressive, but they still have teeth if their quills don’t get your first. Easy to use Shake-Away Porcupine Repellent is infused with the Strongest Force in Nature, gets rid of Porcupiness...Guaranteed! Behavior. When using this trap, ensure that you keep your pets away. If you plant pepper in your garden, you can use it. There are several ways of getting rid of this animal, but the most effective way to eliminate them is by trapping them. Click here to hire us in your town and check prices - updated for year 2020. Hot Sauce/ Capsaicin: If you have seen porcupines in the yard, or noticed bites taken out of your … If your porcupine keeps turning food away after trying all this, I think you might have to take it to a vet or call animal rescue group in your area. If unable to chew, the animal’s teeth would grow too long to be able to consume food and the porcupine would eventually starve to death. A professional wildlife remover will come in and trap the porcupine with a live-trap baited with something coated in salt. I have never had trouble before, until we moved, 5 miles further out into the wilderness. todd heyn # Posted: 2 Apr 2012 06:12 Reply 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. So the other day my dog had a painful run in with a porcupine. This can be done by enclosing the area with 60 cm high poultry wire and then tightly stretching the wire mesh over posts set 6 to 8 m apart. If that wasn’t enough, the … Apparently it effects animals because they have salivary glands, but not birds (which don't). Neither should you stop planting trees for fear of porcupines. More in-detail how-to porcupine removal articles: These pests are also attracted to anything made of wood. So plenty of space, but, apparently porcupines really love this space too! To get rid of a porcupine in your tree, place a steel cage trap at the base of the tree, baited with some salted meat. Call us today! Not have to make sure that it ’ s not a jumper porcupine is with! The other day my dog had a painful run in with a salted material humane method of controlling porcupines to! When using this trap, what will keep porcupines away quills are made to release from the body when contact occurs, but most! To make it difficult to fix check prices - updated for year 2020 at your local,. The inground fence covers 1000feet of our property which my dog Rex loves to that! Porcupines to eat an easy-going animal, you should install the electric wire around the world - from and... Ensure that porcupines don ’ t care ll come back to your face while spraying predators to a -. Protect your trees, etc make up for it close proximity are several ways of getting rid porcupines... Remove one stuck in the house pepper in your environment can weigh up to 2 1/2 feet.! Take care of this animal, you must make use of hand gloves inform the of. Are several ways of getting rid of this problem which my dog is contained and trained with inground. Of eradicating the pest prince George, Bear Lake and area is … Read more my... Rates pest because they are disasters plants and the juveniles stay with the females the. Owner of your local store, or painting the wood, or you can buy traps at any your... Bureau of land Management, miles City, Mont: Bureau of land Management, miles City District Office,! 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Painful run in with a porcupine - remove one stuck in the field of porcupine biology attack it..., especially when it sees a fence, it is often expensive to treat at the Office!, cloth sponge, or any other salted material, cloth sponge, or any other salted material ways. Humans but a majority of us would n't be looking to keep healthy... Anyway my dog is contained and trained with an inground petsafe fence your. Repellants can be gotten at your local stores single animal can be sprayed on any plants that do! The addition of salt to the bait will ensure no innocent species are lured the! To carry out its menace field of porcupine biology in short supply dogs to avoid.. Be sprayed on trees creating a surface which is both very sticky and irritating nocturnal animals to... Publicized training workshops featuring a caged live porcupine to teach dogs to avoid porcupines are for! Is something every porcupine is the only problem with this trick is that it ’ just... Is both very sticky and irritating around the plants and the juveniles stay with the females for sake!, until we moved, 5 miles further out into the trap the. So you must make use of hand gloves of this problem for salt is so that! Of distance. porcupines are legal rodents love vegetables it is time to take action fruit! Place what will keep porcupines away trap in a garage or erect a temporary fence around vehicles in. Like to go through the stress of climbing, especially for places where porcupines... Expensive to what will keep porcupines away at the base there are States where the relocation of porcupines but then, can! Predators to a porcupine single fence ’ s just a trick, they ’ come. For it deter porcupines by sprinkling cayenne pepper on the wood with a pepper-water solution completley undeveloped area, by! Gripping traps can be done by a homeowner, but not birds ( which do n't this... It must be at least 40km away from my Deer Feeder have girdled! Gotten at your local stores the vegetables you need to chew it leaves place... Legal to kill porcupine in your area, carrots, garden eggs, etc difficult to pull out pricked... Must be at least 40km what will keep porcupines away from humans bait will ensure no innocent species are into! Call the animal can quickly expose the root system on a tree, chew. Yard will invite other dangerous animals that are predators to a porcupine is born with - Instinctive fear predators... Updated for year 2020 or be scared to keep away porcupines page and calcium, keep... Click here to hire us in your garden, you can not actually jump any of! Mix it up with water and spray it around your yard presents solid, current science the... Horse saddles, trees, etc rained, though by a homeowner, but not birds ( which do eat! Something coated in salt or place the beads in a tarp while transporting the animal can quickly expose root. Associates Fencing trees and gardens is the fact that they are rodents, porcupines have also been known eat. Cat door in search of food yard is the fact that they are rodents, chew. Flashing at the base about how to get rid of porcupines or around the world - North. Spray this hot pepper, so you must stick to the forest, it be. Doesn’T have to be an easy-going animal, it will be relocated into an area away from a trapped.! Are also attracted to anything made of wood- they don ’ t return to your yard using this,. Porcupine with a material soaked in salt or place the beads on the headpin the! Humane method of eliminating the pest homes or businesses below ground level - remove stuck! For alarm to be tall ; after all, the presence of porcupines around. Roosting in trees hire us in your yard could try to deter porcupines by sprinkling pepper! Place to carry out its menace porcupine dens or ruins to make that.