Drive away the stone marten: 6 natural enemies of the marten and helpful tips

Cable bites on the car, eaten insulation material in the attic, loud game noises, traces of feces or the smell of urine - these damages and impairments could indicate stone martens. As cultural followers, like foxes, pigeons and rats, they can appear in gardens as well as houses. A targeted expulsion of the stone marten may therefore have to be carried out in several areas. We explain what is important when defending against natural enemies.

way of life

In order to be able to take targeted action against the stone marten, their way of life should first be known. This knowledge helps, on the one hand, to identify the stone marten and, on the other hand, to use as little effort as possible for efficient defense.

habitat

Beech martens are ancestral species and prefer warm and sheltered shelters. The shed in the garden, the attic, a garage or similar rooms close to people are therefore popular living spaces.

Nourishment

The diet of the stone marten is very varied. Small suckers and young birds, insects, fruit, nuts but also household rubbish stand on it.

activity

Martens are nocturnal, especially from March to September or October. In addition to the time of day, the current weather is often decisive for how active the martens are. In addition, the young animals play, from around April to May.

Signs of stone marten

If a stone marten has entered the engine compartment, bite marks on the cables are a common consequence. Wire bites and bite marks, for example on battens, insulation material and storage containers, can also be noticed in attics and other shelters. Added to this are the noises that the stone martens make while running and playing.

Natural enemies

One of the stone marten's biggest enemies is humans. Other natural enemies of the stone marten rarely occur in human proximity. They include, among others:

• bears
• wolves
• foxes
• Birds of prey such as eagle owls and eagles

However, cats and dogs can also act as a deterrent to stone martens. These animals or their scents can therefore be used for targeted deterrence.

fragrances

One of the easiest ways to use the scents of natural predators to repel stone martens is through the animal's urine. Bar, wolf and fox urine are commercially available because they are used for hunting or for so-called deterrents.

The use is also very simple:

1. A few drops of the animal's urine are placed on a cloth or piece of cellulose.
2. The wetted material can be placed on a plate, in a bowl, or in an opened pouch. This reduces the risk of surrounding materials absorbing the odor or coming into contact with the urine.
3. The scents should be applied in such a way that they prevent the stone marten from penetrating and prevent further damage. Gaps, leaks, gnawed materials and under the bonnet are good places to lay out the soaked cloths.
4. Beech martens change their housing very often and do not stay in the same shelter every day. It therefore makes sense to change the fragrances every day or every two days to scare off any returnees.

This plan should be followed for at least two to three weeks in order to ward off the stone marten in the long term, especially in the house.

More markings

If you want to do without the smell of wild animals or the repellent urine of bears, foxes and wolves, there are other ways to do it. Your own pets or friends' pets can be of great service here:

fur

Freshly brushed hair from unbathed cats and dogs works best. These can also be rolled into balls, pressed or felted. As a result, they can be removed much more easily and quickly after they have been applied.

Used cat litter

Anyone who knows cat owners can ask them for used litter. Packed in bags, it can also be deployed at strategically sensible locations.

visits

If there are no animals in the household concerned, visitors can act as a deterrent to the stone marten. Of course, it is ideal if the cat and co. then run into the affected areas and thus act as a defense through smell and presence.

alternatives

In the case of allergy sufferers in particular, the use of urine, faeces or fur and the visit of natural enemies can be ruled out. In these cases, however, the damage caused by stone martens does not have to be accepted. Possible alternatives include:

find tracks

An important step is to find frequently used paths. Among other things, for example, to remove markings or to close the entrances of the stone marten. A UV light helps with this. Organic traces such as urine and faeces, saliva and other body fluids glow brightly under this special light. This makes it easier to spot and eliminate them.

Stir up trouble

Playing music in the attic, walking in the garage – beech martens don’t choose busy spaces for shelter. Let wind-up toys go, switch the light on and off - even these simple measures can help.

Seal entrances

The stone martens need an entrance to find their way to the attic or garage. If this is closed, there is at least a temporary silence in these rooms. Here again, the UV lamp can provide good services. Because people often do not suspect that the animals can squeeze through such small holes - and entrances remain undetected without a lamp.

grid

Especially for the space under the hood, grilles can act as a deterrent and thus prevent cable bites and high repair costs. Simple solutions for this are, for example, metal doormats, a simple wooden frame that is covered with mouse wire or a light shaft cover.

Learn more about animal defense