Repellents for Nuisance Wildlife
Definition of Repellents for Wildlife Control
Repellents are chemicals designed to discourage an animal from eating a
particular food or residing in a given area while not permanently harming
the animal.
The purpose is to make the animal uncomfortable so that the animal
decides to move on.
Repellents are distinguished from frightening devices by being chemicals.
Types of Repellents Classified by Mode of Action
Pain Repellents
Pain
repellents are among the simplest to understand as they cause the animal
physical discomfort. The repellent normally is eaten (as in capsaicin) or
breathed (as in methyl anthranilate). Repellent must be reapplied frequently
to plant surfaces or rebroadcast in the air for continued success. These type products can actually be quite effective when wishing
to protect plants or items that you have no intention to eat. Products of this type include Deer Away and Ropel to name a few. Just don't forget that these products will need to be replaced etc. For info on Deer Repellents Click Deer.
Fear Repellents
These are the holy grail of repellents and like the holy grail just as elusive. You may have heard of using fox or coyote urine
to drive away woodchucks. While it can work, generally, the woodchuck will adapt especially if there aren't' any predators around. You also have to consider the
threat that animal urine or smells may be to your nose or health. Remember, urine is urine. Mothballs are a common repellent. Yes, they are avoided by
animals. But rarely will they repel an animal including snakes. For all an animal has
to do is walk by. Also mothballs placed at den entrances just have to be pushed
out of the way. I can't tell you how many clients had to hire me after they
tried this silly technique. Save your money. Raccoon repellent can work for
female raccoons who have young, but again it isn't 100%.
Tactile Repellents
These are products that harass an animal's desire to touch. Sticky products are used to repel pigeons. They don't like to get their feet gooey any more than we do. While they work, the down side is that what can stick to feet also can stick to dirt. So after a while they can collect dirt and look dirty smears on your building. They also run the risk of holding smaller birds that land on them which can result in some cruelty. This is especially true if you don't know how to apply it properly. I advise people to put the goo on a board or substance that can be tacked to the surface you are trying to protect. Then when the animals leave, you can remove the substance and you won't have damaged the building you were attempting to protect.
Aversive Conditioning Repellents
If you have ever avoided a food after becoming sick, then you have
experienced the power of aversive conditioning. Aversive conditioning
repellents require the animal to eat the product and then experience nausea
or other type illness so that the animal connects the action with the
following discomfort. The downside of aversive conditioning is that the
animal must eat something (cause damage) before it stops. Anthranquinone is
one active ingredient that has proved effective in repelleing Canada geese.
I hope these tips help save you money and sanity as you deal with too much
nature on your property.
Why Repellents Fail
Mothballs
Ultrasound