When Porcupines Come Calling
Easy, Inexpensive Ways to Discourage Unwanted Prickly Visitors
May 6, 2009
Often called quill pigs, although they are not related to pigs at all, porcupines belong to the rodent family and have lived all over the world for millions of years. A blunt-nosed face, beady eyes, round little ears and no distinguishable neck reveal him to be one tough character. He waddles wherever he pleases on short, powerful legs with long, curved claws.
He smells like rotting wood, and if that isn’t enough to make him an unwelcome visitor, he has over 30,000 sharp quills to protect his interests.
Quills are modified hollow hairs, the tips covered with microscopic barbs that easily penetrate leather boots. Generally, these guard hairs lie flat, but when in danger, the skin on the porcupine's back draws up to make an inside-out pin cushion. He turns away, lowers his head and shoulders, stomps his back feet, and swings his club-like tail which is covered in the largest and coarsest quills.
The porcupine cannot throw barbs, although they are easily dislodged, and will work into skin up to one-third of an inch per hour.
Dogs and Quills
Often a homeowner’s first experience with a porcupine is through the family dog returning with a mouthful of quills embedded like fish hooks. If the quills are fresh, apply a solution of 1 cup vinegar/2 tsp baking soda to soften and shrink them. Using pliers, pull them out in the direction of entry. Otherwise, it’s a trip to the vet. Although they carry a natural antibiotic, quills must be removed before they work forward and possibly pierce a vital organ.
Strategies to Discourage
An adult’s territory is about 25 acres, but because porcupines feed mostly at night and keep to themselves, most home owners aren’t aware of how many live around them until problems arise—such as enthusiastic chewing on canoe paddles, axe handles, saddles, porch furniture, outdoor toilet seats and walls.
Tires, boots and backpacks are succulent treats to the porcupine’s taste as he needs extra sodium in his diet and will seek out any salt source, including the glue in plywood and human perspiration on tools and clothing. The first way to discourage his chewing is to secure belongings and hose-off tools to prevent salt buildup from handling. Consider putting out a salt lick away from buildings to satisfy the porcupine’s craving.
In winter, he dens in earth or rock caves, hollow logs and thick vegetation, using daylight hours to forage for food. To discourage a porcupine from taking up residence under a cabin or outbuilding, surround the bottom with chicken wire or spray with a commercial repellant. Before winter, close off nearby sites that might make suitable dens.
Porcupines are vegetarians, munching on tender leaves on high branches. A three-inch wide metal band around special trees, three feet off the ground, will save them from becoming a porcupine feast. If all else fails, your local wildlife authority can advise on live traps and relocation.
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