How to Get Rid of Porcupines

Asking politely hardly ever works with a porcupine; they tend to be prickly about such things. These North American natives are in fact peaceful creatures and strict vegetarians, chowing down green shoots, fruits and even tree bark. Their appetite for plants explains why they may not make a gardener's list of favorite animal visitors.

Porcupines don't see very well, and that makes them one of the world's most watchable wild critters. You can get very close to one of these slow-moving creatures without frightening it away. They are gentle and solitary, spending days out of sight in a tree hollow, and descending at night to eat. In fact, you may make a porcupine's acquaintance only when Fido comes in with a mouthful of quills. But don't believe the myth about porcupines throwing quills; they simply brandish their tails to frighten away or repel predators.

Porcupines eat only plants, and this seems perfectly acceptable unless the plants come from your garden. These animals can survive on tree bark to make it through a long winter, but they much prefer tender greens, veggies and fruit. Particular favorites are summer berries. Once a porcupine discovers your garden, it might make itself a nuisance. Porcupine repellants are available, but they can be harmful to humans and pets if ingested. Your best bet is to remove or protect the food source. If it's cat or dog food, simply take it in the house and you likely won't see the spiny creature again. If it's garden plants or young trees, the situation is more difficult.

If you've had it up to there with porcupines rooting about in your precious garden, fencing is a good place to begin to fight back. But remember that porcupines have curved claws and thick foot pads that make them agile climbers. You'll have to build an outward-angled fence to stop them from coming into your yard, and sink it several feet below ground to prevent burrowing. Don't resort to electric fences since they hurt or even kill porcupines, and they can also pose problems for household pets and children.

If fencing doesn't work or seems too expensive, you can trap a porcupine and encourage it to move along. Live traps baited with fresh veggies generally prove successful, although the more courageous can simply tip over a garbage can, set it in front of a porcupine, and sweep the critter into the can with a shovel. Ask your state Fish and Game agency whether it will relocate the rodent for you, or where you should release it. Remember to be gentle; your nuisance porcupine might have a baby somewhere, known as a porcupette.