If a marten has arrived, many unpleasant surprises must be expected. Gnawed pipes and brakes, excrement and urine in the attic, dismantled prey in the garden - the list goes on and on. So that the extent of damage can be limited, action should be taken quickly. Here we reveal what martens don't like or even hate.
Recognize martens
For a targeted drive away of the martens, it is crucial to recognize the signs of an infestation. The nimble animals themselves are rarely caught "in the act". Once they have moved in, however, there are typical indications of their presence. These include:
The nest
The nest consists of soft materials such as feathers, strips of fabric and, for example, upholstery fillings. But hay and straw can also be found in it.
Markings
The animals mark their territory extensively with feces and urine. Especially in summer or in warm rooms, this can be a significant odor pollution. The feces are visible to the naked eye, urine stains, on the other hand, can be made visible using appropriate UV lamps. This is important in order to be able to specifically treat and remove them later.
Leftover feed
It usually eats the prey of the marten near the nest, which is where the remains can also be found. Bones, claws, teeth, feathers and fur can stand out. As with the markings, the residues can cause an intense odor. An intense odor of putrefaction must be expected, especially with leftover meat.
Preferred habitats
In order to be able to deter and drive away the unwanted roommates in a targeted manner, the preferred habitat of the martens must be known in addition to the way of life. These include:
Quiet rooms in the house
Seldom used and quiet rooms in the house are among the popular accommodations of the martens. Above all, attics, but also cellars, storage rooms and garages are often used as shelter by the dog-like predators. the
garden
Pile of wood on the house wall, garden shed, tool shed - the garden also offers some potential hiding places and habitats for the wild relatives of the ferrets. If the garden is not visited daily and is therefore generally quiet, the risk increases that it becomes a home for marten families.
cars
Although the predators do not settle in cars permanently, they still offer protection and warmth and are therefore popular with martens. This can be expensive or even dangerous for the driver, as marten damage to brakes and lines is not uncommon. In order to drive martens from storage and living rooms or the garden, these areas should be designed as habitats for the animals.
Controls and order
Since the small predators feel most comfortable when they are undisturbed by people and pets, they can Regular checks already help to identify an infestation as quickly as possible and to protect the animals to evict. The following tips are simple but powerful:
- Check otherwise unused rooms at least once a week
- Turn on the lights and ventilate the room
- illuminate dark corners and niches with a flashlight
- Arrange storage rooms and other storage areas as well as possible, so the animals find fewer hiding places
It is also ideal if noises are generated to act as a deterrent during the controls.
Sounds
Since martens prefer quiet areas that are seldom frequented by people and pets, "making noise" can have a downright deterrent effect. Here, too, there are simple measures:
- play music
- Regularly chop in the garden, mow the lawn or let pets and children play
- Play recorded animal sounds from cats or dogs
- Install (have) defense systems on the car that emit high-frequency noises either at regular intervals or through a motion detector
brightness
Martens shy away from light as animals that are crepuscular or active at night. Since they especially do not like bright and glaring light sources, they can be used wonderfully as a deterrent.
- Switch on the light regularly in otherwise unused rooms
- Use timers to keep the lights on in the evening
- Use motion detectors through which the light only comes on when the animals are active
- illuminate dark corners with a flashlight
In this way, the predators are caught again and again when they want to set up a home and thereby driven away. The use of light or lamps can also be wonderfully suitable for the garden and other outdoor areas. There is no need to invest a great deal of effort. Simple lights with a motion detector can be attached almost anywhere and operated using batteries. In this way, for example, the car can also be protected from marten damage and the garden can be made unattractive for the animals.
Movements
Martens are shy and nimble and can therefore be driven away comparatively quickly by movements, because they quickly suspect a danger behind them. They also hate unrest. Again, simple changes are sufficient to make use of movements and thereby drive the animals away.
Rearrange
When rearranging otherwise rarely used areas, the first traces of the animals are noticeable on the one hand. On the other hand, the area becomes less attractive for the animals. Of course, it doesn't really have to be rearranged, pushing and briefly lifting larger objects and walking in the room is usually sufficient.
Children and pets
Playing with children and pets is an ideal deterrent both in living spaces and in the garden. If you have neither children nor pets, you can help yourself out with an appropriate visit in the event of a marten infestation.
Move car
If the car is seldom used and is also outside, it can quickly become a victim of marten damage. It is better to at least turn on the engine and roll a few meters if necessary or, above all, to open and close doors in the evening and in the morning. These movements make the car less attractive to the animals.
Clean and tidy up
In indoor areas, even simple cleaning and tidying up can help to create a deterrent space for the animals. Vacuuming, using cleaning agents with a lavender scent and avoiding confusing corners all bring movement into the room. On the other hand, noises and smells are also used to keep the dog-like predators away.
Smells and fragrances
Different smells but also special scents are perceived as deterrent by martens and can therefore be used specifically to drive away the animals. These funds are suitable for both outdoor and indoor use and for protecting the
Cats
Used cat litter, brushed fur and droppings can be used. The cats' scent marks act as a marker for predators and ensure that martens seek the distance.
dogs
As with cats, dog scented brands can have a deterrent effect. Those who do not keep dogs themselves can, for example, invite dog owners or ask for "scent samples" from friends who own them. Again, brushed fur, blankets and droppings are well suited to deter predators.
Bears
This measure may seem unusual, but experience has shown that it is ideal for driving away martens. Bear urine and fur can be used to deter the predators. Bear urine can be purchased in stores, as the smell is also used to scare away other wild animals. Untreated fur may be available at the zoo if necessary. It is worth asking here.
Herbs
The scent of herbs such as lavender and citronella is said to keep the small predators away. The advantage of this method is that the scent or smell is quite pleasant for human noses. In addition, the lavender and Co. can be freshly planted in the garden, dried on the window sill and used in the house or on the car.
Special sprays
Special deterrent sprays also use fragrances and mixtures thereof to act as a deterrent. They work immediately and with little effort and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Eliminate sources of food
In addition to quiet, dark places, nearby food sources are also attractive. This includes leftover food in the garbage but also bird nests. The following tips can help make these inaccessible:
- Protect trees against cats and martens, for example with a spiked ring on the trunk
- Hang bird baths, bird feeders and nesting boxes at a safe height and protect them from climbing animals
- Make garbage cans burglar-proof
water
Sprinkler systems with motion detectors are particularly suitable for the garden. These can also be used, for example, on paths and around the car and only come on when an animal walks through the sensor of the motion detector. The advantage of this is that the plants are also watered at the same time. The disadvantage is that potentially useful animals can also be driven away and possibly - at least initially - a lot of water is wasted. However, water is definitely suitable for selective use, as the predators hate the wet.
Tips for the car
So that the car is not damaged by marten, it should be well protected. One possibility is the (subsequent) installation of a protection system that creates alarming sounds for marten ears. Another possibility is a grille or a special protective mat under the bonnet. Since the animals do not like to move on grids and metal surfaces, the mats or grids prevent them from entering the engine compartment.