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Weasel Repellents: The Best Repellents To Get Rid Of Weasels
It’s common to find weasels throughout North America and Europe so it’s likely you have run into one at some point in your travels. If you’re unlucky enough to have a high presence of weasels in and around your home, they can be a nuisance because they are loud and destructive. That’s probably why you have found this – you are looking for the best weasel repellent.
The most common complaints about weasels are that they are loud with their communication to predators and each other. They are active both day and night so the squeaking and chirping of weasels could easily keep you up all night. Another of the common complaints is from people who have farms with chickens or keep chicken coops in their backyards. Weasels will kill chickens and destroy or eat their eggs as well.
What do you do if just can’t live with them anymore, even though they are great at keeping mice and other rodents at bay? Your best course of action is to get help in the form of weasel repellents.
Weasel repellents are the most humane way to get rid of weasels on your property or anywhere else they are unwanted. They are a great alternative to the fuss and muss of trapping. Once you trap a weasel what do you do with it? You would need to either relocate it, which is a big hassle or kill it, which is a very unpleasant thought to most.
If you are looking to find out more information on the best repellents to get rid of weasels then look no further. Here we have compiled a list of the best weasel repellents. You can use one or more of these, depending on your situation and your budget. There’s really something for everyone.
Wolf Urine
Wolves are a predator of weasels so if there is any trace of wolves in the area, that will act as a weasel repellent. Although it may sound a bit odd to some, strategically spraying wolf urine will deter weasels from entering the area.
There are many easily available wolf urine spray from companies like Predator Pee and Pee Mart (accurate company names I’d say). If the thought of spraying urine is just something you can’t handle then lucky for you, there are also wolf urine pellets or granules.
In case you’re wondering how these companies come into so much wolf urine and whether or not it’s humane, let us put your mind at ease. Reputable companies will contract with places like animal refuges and zoos. When the wolves urinate in their enclosures, there is a drain that naturally collects it. It helps these places make money on the side. Now that’s a win/win situation.
The wolf urine weasel repellents usually come with a spray attachment. Look for this when you are purchasing because you will want to spray rather than pour the urine. Pouring will use more of the product than you need to.
There are a couple different ways you can apply the wolf urine to the perimeter of the area. You can act like a wolf spraying their territory and apply the spray directly to bushes or trees or other plants (even grass). Ideally, you want to spray every 10-12 ft (3-3.5m). The same would apply to the pellets or granules – shake them out in the same pattern in the same areas as the spray.
If you want the wolf urine to be more concentrated, you can purchase scent tags. They are absorbent strips that can be attached to stakes. You spray the scent tag and then attach it to the stake and insert the stake into the ground. Again, you want to place these scent tags every 10-12 ft (3-3.5m).
All in all the initial application and maintenance of using wolf urine is quite easy. To keep the potency up, you will need to re-soak the tags the tags every week or after a heavy rain. The same applies to the spray or granules. Re-apply weekly, after watering your garden or after a heavy rain. Keep the barrier fresh and say goodbye to the weasels.
Ultrasonic Repellents
If you really don’t want to literally be surrounded by wolf urine, there are other options. One of the best repellents to get rid of weasels is an ultrasonic one. How does it work you might ask? Generally speaking, an ultrasonic weasel repellent emits a high frequency sound. This high frequency sound can’t be heard by humans.
There are multiple options of ultrasonic weasel repellents on the market to choose from. There are solar powered ones, plug in ones, battery powered ones, large ones, small ones, ones for your vehicle, well you get the idea.
The type of ultrasonic repellent you choose will depend on your individual needs. For example, the size of the area you want to cover with the weasel-repelling noise will dictate how big or how many you need. Look for ones that have non-repetitive sound waves so that the weasels don’t get accustomed to the sound.
The sound this type of weasel repellent makes is usually meant to mimic the sounds made by an alpha male weasel, thereby deterring any other weasels from entering his territory. Since they are solitary animals as adults and male territories never overlap, you can see how this would work.
Another factor that makes this one of the best repellents to get rid of weasels is the fact that it is super easy to use. You just put it in place, check the batteries every so often if applicable and go about your daily life weasel free. An average size ultrasonic weasel repellent will cover an area of approximately 200 square meters which should be more than big enough for a regular sized property.
Many people are hesitant to use pesticides and chemicals around their homes. This type of repellent doesn’t involve spraying anything of having anything unwanted around your home. It is completely safe for children.
Light Repellents
Another easy way you can repel rodents from your property is by using light repellents. A light repellent something so simple I wish I’d thought of it. It’s a box that you place in the area of concern and it has usually two red lights on it. Couldn’t be simpler.
What’s the point in this you ask? Well, those two lights mimic a predator’s eyes. Weasels will be on edge and feel uncomfortable with the feeling of being watched or stalked. A few strategically placed light repellents around your property will help to move the weasels away. They will not stay in an area with a high concentration of predators if they can help it so you’ll find they will naturally move on.
All you need to do is check the batteries every so often to make sure it’s working if you have a battery powered model. Otherwise, you can just plug it in and forget it. This option is also completely safe for children and any other wildlife or pets you might have around.
The only downside to the light deterrents is that they will only work at night. Most are programmed to turn off during daylight hours because the weasel wouldn’t notice the “eyes” in bright sun anyway. Weasels are active throughout the day and night but prefer the twilight and night hours for hunting.
The placement of the light deterrent is probably the most important thing to do to ensure that the product is effective. Before affixing the light to a surface permanently, take some time to study the behavior of the weasel. Which areas do they frequent? Where do they hang out the most? Once you know where they are most likely to be, install the light there. Make small adjustments as needed.
If you are willing to commit then the ideal placement of these lights is one at each corner or your property. It’s important, wherever you are installing the light repellent, that it is placed roughly at a predator’s eye level. This is anywhere from 3-10” (75-250mm) off the ground. Picture any one of the weasel’s natural land predators like wolves, cats, badgers and foxes and place it as high as their eyes would be.
If you are looking to combine both the ultrasonic weasel repellent and the light weasel repellents, you’re in luck. If you want to use both of these methods to get rid of weasels, you can certainly find many models with both lights and an ultrasonic frequency. Better to have too much protection than too little in my opinion.
Motion Activated Sprinklers
Another good weasel repellent is a motion activated sprinkler. The name pretty much gives away its functionality – it senses the motion of the weasel and lets out a spray of water to startle and disorient the weasel momentarily. More often than not, the weasel will move on.
Like the all the weasel repellent methods, you will need to determine where the weasels are most active on your property. It’s even better if you can determine exactly where they are gaining access. If you can stop them from even entering in the first place then you’re ahead. Other popular placements for these repellents are around the perimeter of your property, at the entrance to barns or chicken coops or at the base of a tree or fence.
The motion activated sprinklers generally come in two models: basic, which requires a hose connection and hose-free, which does not. The basic one that requires a hose is good for areas of high concentration of weasels due to the unlimited water supply. The hose-free ones have a water basin that will need to be refilled. The hose-free sprinklers are likely enough for the average home.
It is recommended that you get a solar powered hose-free motion activated sprinkler as this will be the easiest and least intrusive option. There is no trailing hose on your property and as long as it is in a place that gets a decent amount of sun, you won’t have to fuss with plugs or batteries.
You should also look for a model that has a flat base so it can be put anywhere. Some motion activated sprinklers have a stake which requires them to be put into the ground to stand up. You don’t know where you might need to move the sprinkler depending on the weasel activity so the flat base will be much more versatile.
Another positive, depending on where you place this type of weasel repellent is that it will also water plants and grass in the direct vicinity. It’s chemical free and of course completely safe for children, wildlife and pets – as long as they don’t mind getting a little wet!
Electric Fences
If you are at your wit’s end and are willing to do anything to protect your chickens, consider, as a last resort, getting an electric fence as a weasel repellent. Your best bet would be to place the electric wire low to the ground as most predators, the weasel included, slink low to the ground when stalking and hunting prey.
Electric fencing requires maintenance and is susceptible to power surges and power outages which is why we would only recommend it as a last resort. If you chose to go the electric fence route then only use them in a small area such as the one surrounding your chicken coop. You don’t want the complete perimeter of your home and back yard completely electrified. Unless maybe you live on a working farm. Always use extreme caution when handling electric fences.
You can get solar-powered electric fences and ones with plugs. The choice is yours and either way some maintenance will be required. You will need to do period voltage checks and make sure the fence is free of weeds and any overgrown vegetation. This vegetation that contains water can short the electric fence rendering it useless.
You’ll want to keep kids and pets away from the electrified fence. Remember that in order for the animal to get a shock they have to be touching both the ground and the electrified portion of the fence, thus completing the circuit. Luckily they are safe for birds since they sit on the fences without touching the ground.
Electric fences can be dangerous, require a lot of maintenance and fuss and can be costly to install and use. For these reasons, this is the last weasel repellent method we would recommend.
Weasel Prevention
We have explored five different methods of weasel repellents but we should also talk about weasel prevention. There are a few simple things you can do to weasel-proof your home and outdoor space. Use prevention in conjunction with one or even all of the weasel repellents here.
A few things you can do include making sure there is not animal food left out and accessible to intruders. This could be chicken feed or even pet food. If weasels are entering structures, screen off any holes or gaps to exclude them from the area. If they can’t find a way in they will just naturally move on.
Keep your lawn trimmed regularly and remove the trimmings. Also eliminate any cover they might be getting from items on your property, like debris or overgrown vegetation. They use the cover to ambush their prey when hunting so removing their ability to hide will make your yard a much less attractive hunting ground.
Weasel Trapping
We have talked so far about the best repellents to get rid of weasels and some preventative measures. We have focused solely on the outdoors. What do you do if you are unlucky enough to get a weasel inside your home? The only real solution is to trap it.
You can live trap by purchasing a weasel trap online or at your hunting, farm or seed store. You can buy them for anywhere from $30-60 usually. Some pest control companies will even rent them to you or sell them directly to you. Bait the trap with some kind of meat and place it well inside. You want the weasel to have to enter the trap completely to get to the food. Once in the trap, you will need to relocate the weasel. An open field far from your home would be best if you can fund such a place.
In all the weasel repellents we have looked at here, the animals don’t get injured or killed which is a great thing. Live and let live (just not near my house, right?). Don’t be afraid of trial and error to find the right solution for you. Start with one or a combination of the methods. Re-position them around and build your defenses. Before you know it, you’ll be wondering where all the weasels went. Maybe you might even miss them? Maybe not.
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