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A Guide on How To Get Rid Of Porcupines in 6 Different Ways

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If you live in a place where porcupines exist, you may have already encountered them and are aware of the trouble they may create near your home. Porcupines may be little, but they can wreak havoc on your pets, yard, and family.

Even though these insects are little, the damage they may cause will frighten most people. This article may interest you if you want to learn how to get rid of porcupines.

Porcupines are large rodents with a distinctive feature: their bodies are covered in sharp needles. For protection, the animal requires such an unusual weapon. When threatened, these rodents shake their many needles, generating a crackling sound that warns and frightens the predator.

If this does not work, they may resort to physical violence against their abuser. The porcupine’s quills are weak and delicate, but they can’t be thrown.

They become trapped in the enemy when they attack, causing excruciating pain. Their needles are covered in a high number of microscopic scales, making it difficult to remove them.

The needles that have been lost are replaced with new ones. Throughout its lifetime, a porcupine will alter thousands of needles. Porcupines are nocturnal creatures.

This type of animal is not suited to living in a social flock. Unlike other porcupines, North American porcupines can form flocks, including a mother and her children. Porcupines live for roughly ten years in the wild and two times longer in captivity. 

How To Get Rid Of Porcupines
Porcupines – via Wikimedia

A Guide on How To Get Rid Of Porcupines

Porcupines can be dealt with in a variety of ways. One thing to keep in mind is that you should never, ever touch a porcupine. Even the best gloves aren’t always enough to keep your hands safe. Here’s how to get rid of Porcupines.

1. Using Traps

There are many ways to get rid of porcupines. Some people believe that they can scare the animal away by making loud noises or throwing rocks at it, but this is not always effective. The best way to get rid of a porcupine is to trap it and then release it elsewhere.

Using Live Traps

One of the most successful and humane ways to catch a porcupine is to use a live trap. Furthermore, this is a very basic product for which you will not have to search for a long time.

This is a box-shaped contraption with a door that shuts when the animal enters. Place a treat in the trap for the porcupines so that you can lure them in.

You won’t be able to remove the trap if needles are protruding out of it; therefore, it shouldn’t be too little. Pets and children should be kept away from the trap.

Using Deadfall Traps

You can also make a simple deadfall trap. You will need a big log, a stick, and a rock to do this. The log should be placed on the ground with the stick propping it up at an angle.

The rock should be balanced on top of the stick. When the porcupine walks under the log, it will cause the rock to fall and trap the animal.

Check your traps regularly, as you don’t want to trap another animal accidentally. If you catch a porcupine, be very careful when removing the quills. You can use a pair of pliers or a long-handled shovel to pry them out. You must remove all of the quills, as they can cause infection.

If you are not comfortable trapping the animal yourself, you can call a professional trapper to do it for you. They will know the best way to catch the porcupine and will be able to release it safely elsewhere.

Trap How To Get Rid Of Porcupines 2
Rural thailand animal trap – via Wikimedia

2. Using Ultrasonic Repellents

There are also many ultrasonic repellents that you can use to keep the porcupines away. Some of the devices emit high-pitched sounds that are inaudible to humans, which scare the animals away. They can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Ultrasonic repellents are effective at keeping porcupines away. Although these gadgets do not damage pests, they create waves that are not harmful to humans.

However, animals do not like them. This gadget is quite simple to operate; you push it into the ground on the job site and turn it on. You may need numerous devices to cover a huge area. The fact that this approach works in any weather is one of its key advantages. 

3. Using Fences

If you are having trouble with porcupines invading your property, you can install a fence around the perimeter. There should be no gaps in the fence, so the porcupine can’t get through.

The wire can be used to close gaps. Because the porcupine can’t jump to vast heights, you can build a barrier that isn’t very high.

The fence should be at least eight feet high and made out of a material that the porcupines cannot climb. Porcupines like to gnaw wood and gleefully devour it all on their way back to your home; thus, the wooden barriers should be avoided.

4. Using Sprays 

There are some sprays on the market that are effective in keeping porcupines away. One of these is a hot pepper spray that can be sprayed around the perimeter of your home or property. This will keep the porcupines at bay, but it may also affect other animals.

Be sure to test the spray on a small area to ensure that it does not harm the plants or animals in your yard. If you use a repellent spray, you will need to reapply it every few weeks, as the porcupines will eventually get used to the smell or taste.

To keep the porcupines from chewing on the trees, spray them with capsaicin spray or hot sauce spray. A mask and gloves should be used to prepare the solution, but you may also buy them at a garden store.

You should redo the application if it rains. Also, when applying, ensure to follow the directions. Because each concentrate is slightly different, even though it is an all-natural spray solution, be cautious not to exceed the prescribed quantity.

5. Getting Rid of the Food Source

One way to keep porcupines away is to remove their food source. If you have a garden, make sure to fence it in so the porcupines can’t get in.

You can also hang wire mesh around trees to keep the porcupines reaching the fruit or nuts. Put any pet food safely in a critter-proof container to reduce the food supply and improve porcupine control. 

6. Using Dogs

If you have a dog, you can also use it to keep the porcupines away. While you don’t want your dog to get into a conflict with a porcupine, having a dog bark regularly serves as a strong deterrent to porcupines.

Dogs will bark and scare the animals away. Make sure to keep your dog on a leash when you are in the area where the porcupines are known to live.

Some people have never had a porcupine problem after installing a sturdy fence around their house and a nice dog to monitor it daily. Scent has a role in at least some of the deterring impact.


Final Remarks

Although getting rid of a porcupine can be challenging, learning how to get rid of it is doable. Using one of the methods described above, you can successfully remove this pesky animal from your property.

Be sure to take all necessary precautions when trapping or removing quills, as they can be dangerous. Remember, never try to touch a porcupine on your own!

Porcupines can cause a lot of damage, but they are also a protected species. It is important to remember that you should never kill a porcupine, as this is illegal in some states.

If you are having trouble with them near your home, try using one of the methods described above to get rid of them safely and humanely. Thanks for reading!