The marten can be a really unpleasant visitor. Whether it’s scratching your attic, nibbling on the cables in your car, or mistaking the insulation of your house for a nest, you need to act quickly. These little animals may look cute, but the damage they cause can cost you thousands of crowns. How to get rid of it?
Martens look for shelters mainly where they can find warmth, safety and peace. In the cold months, they are attracted to the engine compartment of the car, which remains pleasantly warm, or the attic of the house, where they have enough space to hide and build a nest. They are also often attracted by the availability of food, food scraps, garbage or birds that they can easily catch.
Watch the video from the YT creation of the channel AgroBio Opava – Kuna – car engine protection
Source: Youtube
If a marten has taken a liking to your car, you will probably be alerted by gnawing marks on the wiring or the remains of feathers and food under the hood. Why is he doing this? Martens are attracted to the warmth of the engine and protection from the wind, and the car is an ideal place for them to hide.
The solution is simple. Buy special odor repellants. These are sold in spray form and you only need to spray the engine compartment with them regularly. Martens also don’t like strong scents like mothballs or vinegar, so reach for these homemade solutions if you don’t want to spend on commercial products.
Another effective method is the installation of ultrasonic scarers. These small devices make sounds that are inaudible to humans but unbearable to martens. You simply attach them under the hood and you don’t have to worry about cables or insulation.
If a marten has decided to settle in the attic of your house, it will probably torment you not only with the noise, but also with the smell of droppings and urine. Add to that damage to the insulation or wooden beams, and you clearly don’t want it there. The first step is to deny access. Check the roof and walls for holes or gaps that a marten could crawl through. Martens are small and nimble, so they can fit into holes that look very tiny. Among the proven materials for closing the gaps are, for example, metal nets, because the marten does not test them.
Just like with a car, you can use odor repellents or ultrasonic repellers. Another way is to create an environment that will be uncomfortable for the marten. In the attic, you can hang bags with spices such as cloves or cinnamon, whose intense smell bothers martens. An interesting trick used by some breeders is the distribution of human hair on the soil. Martens are bothered by the smell of humans, so they prefer to avoid the area.
If you are desperate and no method has worked, you can also try cage traps. But they require more patience and regular inspection. Bait the marten, such as an egg or a piece of meat, in the trap and move it away from your home after it is caught. Remember that martens are protected animals, so you must treat them humanely.
Once you get rid of the marten, the key to success is prevention. Keep your car and house clean and free of attractions that could attract the marten. Clean regularly in the garage and attic so that the marten cannot find a suitable hiding place. If you already have experience with her presence, regularly use repellants to discourage her from returning.
Whether the marten chooses your house or your car, never give up. These methods will help you get rid of it once and for all without resorting to drastic measures.
Source: msn.com
