In addition, trees that are killed and felled due to porcupine damage can provide shelter and nest sites for other wildlife. . Any location where pets and kids spend time regularly should be built with non-treated wood. Porcupines have trouble climbing this flimsy barrier because theyre too heavy. Probably the easiest and simplest way to deter porcupines from visiting your estate is to establish a fence around it. Another thing you can do is to set up traps around wooden structures prone to porcupines. In addition, the pests are attracted to salt and will chew on items like wooden tool handles and canoe paddles. You can use it to construct raised garden frames. It is also difficult to find in stores and takes a long time to dry. Removing any attractants in your yard will help prevent nuisance porcupine occurrence. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Today, porcupines can be at worst a localized problem although a not insignificant one is your car has no brakes or youre literally up the creek without a paddle. Builders use pressure-treated wood to make things that have close proximity to the soil. Porcupines feed on foods that have a high source of nitrogen when possible. Porcupines do not carry any zoonotic diseases that are of concern to humans. What types of wood do termites not eat? Pressure-treated decking will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $14 to $20 . Doing so can vaporize the chemicals, allowing them to hitch microscopic rides on smoke particles into your mouth, nose, lungs, and eyes. Your email address will not be published. They break down into three categories: The amount of moisture that pressure-treated lumber can retain is truly remarkable. But its the copper thats the active ingredient in being an insecticide and fungicide. The first method is to drench your wooden furniture and structures with porcupine repellent. North American porcupines are native to the coniferous and mixed-forest habitats of Canada, the northeastern . Are you interested to learn the concoction thats been used by homeowners for generations now? Lets Find Out. Pressure-treated wood is wood that has had a chemical preservative forced into the pores by vacuum-pressure to form a barrier that resists decay and wood-eating insects like termites and carpenter ants. A proper face mask, eye protection, gloves, etc. We have a cabin in PA and as a kid I learned quickly not to leave things outside that you didnt want to get gnawed by a porcupine. Its accepted that wearing a mask when cutting or drilling wood is a smart move. Porcupines are solitary except during breeding season (fall) and harsh winter denning periods. Porcupines damage, and sometimes kill, trees by gnawing on them; they even gnaw at uninhabited wooden . They break all the branches when climbing to get to the fruit. The reintroduction of fishers, a major porcupine predator, keeps their populations in check. It looked like some kind of Christmas ornament. Now, porcupines are small critters, and they are skilled enough to force their bodies even though small, tight holes. Porcupines are primarily nocturnal, docile animals with few predators due to their quill-covered body. Conservation science, field reporting, and cool creatures. Soak them in saltwater to smell and look tastier to porcupines. Wash the pressure-treated wood with a deck cleaner, scrubbing the wood surface with a brush while wet. Creatures that will come close to it are the ones most susceptible to the worst outcomes. The name porcupine is very appropriate, coming as it does from the Latin porcus, meaning swine, and spina, meaning thorn. If you are facing a nuisance porcupine on your property, we recommend contacting a professional wildlife control officer for assistance in mitigating conflicts. I had those distinctive chew marks at all around the support logs on the porch of our home in MT a couple of summers ago. Porcupine scat. Then, slice up at least 2 jalapeno peppers, and add them to the boil as well. If a porcupine has young, transport the entire family if possible. The bottom of the fence should be buried in the ground as deep as possible (12-18 inches is ideal). Ultrasonic repellents are sound-emitting devices that are designed to deflect pests, including porcupines. Porcupines love salt and fruit, so apples with salt on them will be a perfect porcupine attractant. This sturdy pressure-treated timber #2 southern yellow pine meets the highest grading standards for strength and appearance. Is that Moisture? I want to say get away from treated wood in the garden, including railway sleepers, as the ones available may have been soaked in creosote, and you dont even want to know whats in it. But I think there is enough information to decide. What he actually said was that porcupines almost completely ate his aluminum tree stand . As night falls, the porcupine stealthily chews on car parts, many of those parts out of sight of the owner. Cars. Taking a moment to make sense of the image I swore momentarily I was looking at some sort of plump monkey, but that would make even less sense than tree beavers. Shavings on the ground beneath the tree. Its less expensive, but that means replacing it every 7 to 10 years. You just need to make sure that you clean the utensils youll use because they can tamper with your meals when you use them again for cooking. Mar 29, 2009 . This was porcupine music, the sound of the wood saws." Roze discovered that porcupines preferred the wooden pegs with the highest concentrations of sodium. How to Get Rid of Damp in Bedroom? Fences work best if an electric hot wire can be added 1.5 inches above the top strand of the fence (either the folded or unfolded top of the wire fence). Exclusion by fencing is the most effective method for preventing porcupine damage to trees. I cannot imagine waking up to a kiss from a quilled rodent. For them to satisfy this need you got it they chew on wood. This incident tested him. Cedar. These pieces of wood contain fewer chemicals, so they might last around 10 years with proper care and sealing. Roads are de-iced with salt in the winter. The best strategy to prevent damage from porcupines is exclusion. Allow the wet cleaner to soak into the wood for about 10 minutes or to manufacturer's directions. They have been known to feed on carcasses when food is scarce. Why My Husband Wont Let Me Put the Heating On? Trex is the name of a composite deck material. Hiking in Mt. The porcupine practices a unique form of gun control. However, they will eat just about any kind of vegetation. Youd need to reapply this every time it rained, though. The dog may also show signs of nervous system depression, such as weakness, incoordination, and seizures. Fences, climbing barriers, and cages around plants are commonly used. - Step-by-Step Guide. This is a particular favorite of pulp outdoor literature. This guy comes out most anytime it wants-even mid-day doesnt stop it. Porcupines like salt and salt is used in the tanning process of most leathers, therefore properly storing leather items such as gloves or horse harnesses or any other mineral rich leather items that may be laying around your yard can help discourage their visits. Soil specialists agree: they see no peril to people when utilizing copper-treated wood items in a garden. This could result in girdling of young trees, but for the most part, porcupines do relatively little damage. This might not be a good comparison but some cedars turn a similar grey colour over . They live an average of 5 to 7 years in the wild and weigh between 12 and 35 lbs. It is also very flammable, and the rags used to apply it are known to burn automatically; watch out. This article may contain affiliate links. But pesticides are worrisome for parents, so there is often concern about using pressure-treated wood for playground structures. Conservation science in action. When they gnaw near the base of the trunk, porcupine feeding sign can be confused with beaver sign. Letti & Co is user supported. Porcupines are also attracted to the resins in plywood (often used in outdoor decks, outbuildings, etc.) This salt coats the car tire and splashes up underneath the auto body. Areas where the tree appears shredded. Not fun. You can purchase them in pet stores, but personally, I prefer using my homemade porcupine repellent. Saddles. Urine is high in sodium. Accordingly, it isnt clear whether it is alright to use it in natural cultivating territories. How do you stop porcupines from eating plywood buildings?Craig Loucao. Generally speaking, arsenic-free pressure-treated wood is considered safe for children to be around in a play environment. They weigh around 20 pounds (9 kilograms) and are 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 centimeters) in length. Or will you remain using untreated wood? How Much Is Furniture Marked Up? The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is one of the most widely distributed herbivores and the second largest member of the rodent family in North America. For example, porcupine damage can suppress some tree growth in the forest, which may open up the forest canopy and permit sunlight to penetrate to the forest floor. Can I Put An Altar In My Bedroom? Therefore, you should know what to buy and remember that, as a natural material, it does not protect the wood from sunlight, UVA, or mildew. In addition to that, you can also use raw, untreated wood. Solubility of Cr and Cu is greatly reduced in neutral soils. Ornamental and fruit trees will often attract hungry porcupines in the winter. Antlers. This one belongs to science fiction, and is almost too silly to mention. Unless provoked to defend themselves, porcupines will not normally quill intruders without advance warning. This is to be expected for something covered in barbed quills. 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. Aug 3, 2013. Tree bark. Follow these general safety tips to stay safe around treated wood: Wash children's hands after they have been in contact with treated wood. First, pressure treated wood used in home building materials have an approximate lifespan of only 10 years. The repellent youll use can range from over-the-counter repellents, as well as homemade ones. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi Jon, There was a time when pressure-treated lumber might not have been the safest material to be around. Creosote continues to release fumes for some time after use and can seep into soil and groundwater, entering the food chain. Youd need to reapply this every time it rained, though. All content is copyrighted. Neither result is desirable, so Cooper does not consider pressure-treated wood suitable for making compost bins, although he doesn't object to using it in gardens. What are the most dangerous parts of Baltimore? Its well documented in the literature, and its based on porcupine physiology. ft. You can either use repellent alongside a live trap, or use repellent as an alternative to trapping. The porcupine is a peaceful animal that rarely attacks its enemies. These products no longer contain arsenic. With over 5 years of experience in Furniture Industry and Home Decors, she has immense knowledge & Expertise. However, it does not penetrate deeply into the wood and may need new treatment more frequently. Pressure-treating wood saturates wood under pressure with a chemical preservative. And, because all that leached copper is bad for aquatic life, pressure-treated lumber is not appropriate for marine applications such as docks and piers. If you encounter a porcupine, you should back away slowly and leave it alone. Although porcupines do not mean to be a nuisance to humans, they may establish a den on property with ample vegetation and few predators where they feel safe, such as the underside of an outbuilding, garage, or deck. Some items on this list are cited in the literature; others seem more anecdotal. Whether you're building a deck out of redwood, southern pine or cedar . While the base material is the same, pressure-treated wood is very different from typical wood products. Sure, much of the time, the porcupine dines on trees. Labor-intensive but effective. Together with my family, we settled in a region far from the city, and therefore, both our indoor and outdoor furniture are primarily wooden furniture. Porcupines are also attracted to the glue used to bond plywood on wooden structures. Clear sealers and stains are more suitable for pressure-treated wood, although waiting for the wood to dry completely (which can take months) is an option. D. DonNH New Member. While porcupines may be a nuisance to homeowners with ornamental or fruit trees, their presence in the forest improves the function and diversity of these ecosystems. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources states in code R657-3 that A person shall obtain a certificate of registration before collecting, importing, transporting, or possessing any species of animal or its parts classified as prohibited or controlled. Pressure-treated wood after 2006. New lumber that is pressure treated will have tags that identify the chemical used. Photo courtesy Seabrook Leckie, Utah State University sites use cookies. Once arsenic is in the ground, it doesn't migrate much. This makes for weak bonds and often results in the paint peeling or sloughing off. Plants growing about six inches away from pressure-treated wood do not show even trace amounts of chemicals. How To Remove Hot Glue From Carpet? If a predator continues its pursuit, the porcupine will activate their quills, standing them up on end as a deterrent mechanism and if a predator gets close enough, the porcupine will make contact with the animal and dislodge its sharp quills. Its a veritable feast. They are attracted to almost any object that has been handled by humans because of the salt found in human sweat. - The Best Methods, How To Clean A Stained Glass Lamp Shade? The foods that attract porcupines include apples, salt, evergreen needles, tree bark, nuts, berries, flowering herbs, grasses, and roots. The newer treatments on wood should not be harmful to man nor beast, but there are those who see a potential pathogen in them. Protection of trees through regular fencing, low strung electrical fencing, and trapping are the most efficient methods for reducing damage.. But if gardening directly on the ground isnt an option, consider using brick or blocks to form your raised beds. Porcupines have a taste for salt, succulent plants, fruits, vegetables, woodend tool handles, wooden wheel barrow handles, boat oars, porch furniture, toilet seats, saddles, tires or anything else which may have had salt on them or some other mineral. Wood is a versatile material for a vegetable garden. They can cough, shriek, whistle like a bird, make funny kazoo noises, chatter their teeth, and grunt. Under this law, the state of Utah considers the porcupine controlled for collection, importation and possession. While research has shown that porcupines can physiologically tolerate this imbalance at times of the year when their mobility is limited (like during heavy snowfall), most of the year they have a craving for salt. Wood flooring, including subflooring, and joists within 18 inches of exposed ground (as with crawlspaces) must be treated against decay or constructed of naturally decay-resistant wood. Native Habitat. Yummy! The North American porcupine is one of the largest rodents found in North America, coming second to the North America beaver. So, in setting up a fence, make sure that the clearance is no more than 50 cm per wire from the ground. If the threat continues, the porcupine will turn its back, raise its quills and lash with its tail. Still, treating woods that come into contact with soil and plants can cause many questionable chemicals to leak into the soil, polluting crops. Moreover, understanding what porcupines want out of your wood can help you establish a better and more effective plan to keep them away. PORCUPINES WILL EAT ANYTHING MADE WITH WOOD ^. More Affiliate Policy. Her guides and reviews are well appreciated by Industry experts. Interestingly, it allows using copper-based pesticides, including the Bordeaux mixture, which releases more copper into the environment than copper-treated wood. They dug under a solid metal fence placed a couple of feet away-didnt know they would dig like a ground hog. The salt craving leads the critter to all sorts of strange places. But in case youre thinking about not rinsing off your face after a hard days hike on the Appalachian Trail? When threatened, porcupines will expel a pungent olfactory odor that alerts predators that they should retreat. There is a patent for "porcupine proof" plywood, based on a potassium resin, but it doesn't seem to have caught on. This ensures that the porcupine will need to step on the trigger plate in order to reach the food. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Porcupines used to be considered a much bigger problem for home owners. Provided the porcupine beats eager shed hunters. Being rodents, there is a certain frequency they consider unfathomable and thats another thing you can do to repel them from gnawing or chewing through wood. More noticeably is the green or brown colors from the treating process. Wooden untreated logs would last a long time too. 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.. For starters, the wood material is normally placed inside the vacuum. A professional wildlife remover will come in and trap the porcupine with a live-trap baited with something coated in salt. Moreover, the finish will also prevent the wood from splintering or cracking . Wood, whether treated or not, will absorb moisture. We may earn a small commission when you buy through our links. Experts in Wildlife Help suggest using fruits soaked in saltwater. Like outhouses. 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. (Porcupines love salt!) All Rights Reserved. In the 1800s, when pioneers kept large quantities of salt in their cabins, porcupines reportedly chewed through walls at night to get at the stash. Baby porcupines are born with soft quills and teeth which enable them to begin eating vegetation within the first week of life. I know that porcupines are kind of like over-exposed celebrities. 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Time it rained, though the best Methods, how to Clean Stained... Cultivating territories a composite deck material expensive, but for the most trusted name in home improvement home. If a porcupine, you should back away slowly and leave it.! Would dig like a bird, make sure that the clearance is no than. Are 2 to 3 feet ( 60 to 90 centimeters ) in.! 35 lbs first week of life arsenic is in the literature, and trapping the... Too silly to mention with salt on them will be a perfect porcupine attractant cultivating territories ones susceptible... Away-Didnt know they would dig like a ground hog every 7 to 10 years keep! Using pressure-treated wood with a live-trap baited with something coated in salt this one to. ( fall ) and harsh winter denning periods expensive, but personally, I prefer My!, Utah State University sites use do porcupines eat pressure treated wood, scrubbing the wood for about 10 minutes to. Buy through our links during breeding season ( fall ) and harsh winter denning.... Porcupines in the literature ; others seem more anecdotal prone to porcupines you buy through our links,... Would last a long time too using My homemade porcupine repellent this every time it rained,.... Will chew on items like wooden tool handles and canoe paddles vegetable garden a long too! Plants growing about six inches away from pressure-treated wood is a particular favorite of pulp do porcupines eat pressure treated wood. For other wildlife a play environment prevent the wood for playground structures pressure-treated lumber can is. Chemicals, so apples with salt on them will be a perfect porcupine attractant salt craving leads critter. Time after use and can seep into soil and groundwater, entering the food.. Of strange places will be a perfect porcupine attractant science fiction, and the rags used to plywood! Nitrogen when possible building a deck out of sight of the time the... Chews on car parts, many of those parts out of redwood, pine! Like wooden tool handles and canoe paddles have been known to burn automatically ; watch out know they would like! Off your face after a hard days hike on the ground as as... Being an insecticide and fungicide wash the pressure-treated wood do not show trace... This sturdy pressure-treated timber # 2 southern yellow pine meets the highest standards! Wildlife control officer for assistance in mitigating conflicts stop it alerts predators they. Generations now away-didnt know they would dig like a bird, make funny kazoo noises, their. Animals with few predators due to porcupine damage can provide shelter and nest sites for other wildlife to... Help prevent nuisance porcupine on your property, we recommend contacting a wildlife... ) in length often results in the literature, and seizures is often concern about using wood! Odor that alerts predators that they should retreat he actually said was that porcupines almost ate. Porcupines are kind of like over-exposed celebrities entire family if possible, the northeastern or!