How To Get Rid Of Weasels
If you have weasels bothering your chickens or invading your property, it can be challenging to get them to stop. But there are ways to repel them and keep them away. In this article, we will discuss many of the ways you can do this.
Here Are Four Methods for Keeping Weasels Away From Your Property:
1. Motion Activated Sprinklers
The most effective weasel repellent is probably motion-activated sprinklers. These sprinklers are available in two distinct designs.
- 1st Option:
The first option is simpler to set up but requires more upkeep. The refillable sprinkler is the type used in this system. These sprinklers should be installed in appropriate locations and refilled with water regularly.
You won’t have to bother about replacing batteries with the refillable sprinklers because they contain a small solar panel to keep them charged and spray those pesky weasels.
- 2nd Option:
The second motion-activated sprinkler is the polar opposite of the refillable type. This sprinkler is more difficult to install and does not require any care but requires some maintenance.
This sprinkler must be attached to a water source, like a hose. It can also be solar-powered, but most of them requires batteries.
Where Should Motion Activated Sprinklers Be Installed?
Finding the areas where weasels might get in is critical when deciding where to install your sprinklers. If you have chickens, rabbits, or other kinds of animals, or if you have barns, it is very important to keep weasels out. With this in mind, you will want to set up your motion-activated sprinklers in these areas.
Set up the sprinklers around your house using the stakes with them. You can also put them in front of potential entryways to your home. It will help protect your house from people who might try to get in.
Setting up your sprinklers around the areas where the weasels are coming onto your land can be another good place to place them. You might want to try putting them around the base of your fence or trees.
2. Reducing Weasel Attractants
Keeping your yard clean can help reduce the number of weasels. Weasels are very small and can be pretty vulnerable to predators and birds. Weasels use tall grass and lovely big bushy bushes for cover when looking for food.
Weasels can be repelled from your property by regularly mowing the lawn and trimming the bushes. Periodically cleaning up your yard will also help keep them away.
Food is a great attractor for weasels. They will probably come to your house if they smell food. Weasels like to eat chickens and rabbits, so it is essential to keep these animals safe if you have them.
You must secure your coop and run if you want to keep your chickens away from weasels. Chicken wire can help keep the chickens inside, but it won’t stop predators from getting in. You must protect vulnerable points, like walls, holes, and the pen’s edge, with hardwire cloth. It’s important to keep your enclosure off the grass if it’s close to one. The weasels will have an easier time finding their way into your coop.
If your coop lacks a foundation, wrap hardware cloth around the bottom borders and bury it in the shape of an “L” a few inches below the ground. It will keep burrowing and digging at bay. Most importantly, look for weak places every few weeks and continue to secure them as needed.
Weasels will feed on your rabbits if you keep them as pets. To avoid this, put their hutch on wooden legs and lift it off the ground. Rabbits also need a place to hide where they will be safe. The outer pen or run should be 8ft x 4ft x 2ft in size and have a chain-link roof to protect them from flying predators.
3. Seal Off All Holes In The Floor Or Fence
Examine the fence that surrounds your property. Find any holes in the wall and fill them with wood putty. Allow 12 to 24 hours for the putty to dry. Following that, you can begin excavating.
Weasels can get into your yard in many different ways. They can squeeze through small spaces, and most of the time, they will get in through holes in your fencing.
Another way pests can get into your yard is by digging tunnels. You can help prevent this by digging a trench and extending the fence below ground level.
Before starting this project, you’ll need to figure out how much material you’ll need. Hardwire cloth is a wonderful choice because it is long-lasting. Tin siding is another alternative. You can obtain the necessary material by measuring the perimeter of your fence.
Begin excavating at least a foot into the ground and installing the purchased material. As needed, staple or nail the hardwire or tin siding. Then fill the hole back up. It will not only keep weasels from using the hollows or tunnels of other pests, but it will also keep those pests away.
4. Trapping & Releasing Weasels
Trapping and releasing weasels several kilometers distant will aid in eradicating these pests. Other ways can be used, but catching the weasels is a good place to start. There are several factors to consider when attempting to capture weasels.
The first item to consider is the traps themselves. You’ve probably seen these traps on television or pest control or exterminator.
You can use either one or two-door traps; either will work. On the other hand, the one-door trap alternative is more prevalent among pest control professionals.
It is due to their convenience, ease of use, and the fact that they are much easier to install. Just make sure you get small or extra tiny traps.
The two-door trap has both advantages and disadvantages. It allows predators to look inside the trap without being blocked by the cul-de-sac door. On the other hand, this makes the pests feel more at ease when entering the cage, making them more likely to get caught.
When handling and setting up the trap, use gloves. Weasels are keen creatures that may detect the odor you left on the cage and prevent rodents from entering the mine in the first place.
Placing The Traps
If you think there are weasels near your fence, barn, or house, you can try to trap them. You can put the traps near where you think they are getting hurt. If you don’t see any injuries, you can try to put the traps near the water supply.
Dig a shallow hole 1 to 1.5 inches deep and cover it with leaves and soil from the surrounding area to bury your trap.
If you set a trap for weasels, they may be scared away by the metal bars. To avoid this, put the bait in the trap after placing it, and check back later to see if you caught any weasels.
To catch weasels, you can use a variety of baits. Here is a list of some of them:
- Raw liver
- Raw fish
- Raw chicken
- Raw rabbit
- Raw turkey necks
- Raw lamb
- Raw ground beef
- Cooked eggs
- Cat treats
- Kitten food
These are all great options for trapping weasels. Place the bait in the traps and wait for the weasels to get trapped.
Releasing The Weasel After Capture
If you catch a weasel, cover it with a towel or blanket first. It will keep the weasel quiet while transferring it to its release location. Carry the caged weasel to your automobile and drive 5 to 10 miles from home.
Make sure that the place you choose to release the weasel is a good spot. The spot should be suitable for the weasel and not be close to other residential areas. Place the cage down and open it. Most of the time, imprisoned animals notice an opening and flee as soon as possible.
Some animals, however, may be terrified and remain in the cage for some time. Take a step back and wait if this is the case. The weasel will ultimately break free.
Final Thoughts
Weasels are a big problem for people who keep chickens. If you are one of these people, you need to do something to eliminate the weasels. That is what you will learn how to do in this piece. It’s doable, but it will take some time and work.
Read more: Weasels Are Built for the Hunt
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Get Rid of Weasels
Raptors kill weasels, especially after a vole peak when there are more raptors and fewer voles. Weasel populations will decrease whether or not raptors kill any.
You may take a few steps to keep weasels out of your house. It contains:
- Regularly mowing the lawn.
- Trimming bushes and shrubs.
- Keeping the area around vulnerable spaces clear of vegetation or debris.
You can also limit access to barns, coops, and cages.
Some good bait for weasel traps includes liver, fish, and chicken entrails. As weasels are notorious meat-eaters, any fresh meat will also work.
Weasels have long, slender bodies and short legs. It makes their body bend upward like an inchworm. They also have long necks, small heads, and rounded ears.
Weasels do not burrow but make their homes in the tunnels of those they have defeated. The first litters of four to six kits appear in April, and, as they become sexually mature at three months old, these may breed in the summer.
Using fresh meat as bait, you can boost your chances of catching a weasel. Place the bait strategically, so the weasel has to step on the trigger plate to get to it. Ensure the bait is far away from the trap walls so the animal can’t steal it without entering.
If you want to trap a weasel, bait a small trap with fresh meat such as fish or chicken entrails. Try placing the trap near a tree or barn corner where you suspect the weasel hunts.