Marmots are very common in Quebec and are seen as pests by many homeowners. Marmots use their strong claws to dig burrows that can damage land and make soil more prone to erosion.
If you notice marmots on your property, it’s important to act fast to prevent them from damaging your flowerbeds, vegetable garden and yard. In this article, our exterminators provide useful tips to help you get rid of marmots on your property.
Where are marmots commonly found?
In crawl spaces and under patios
Where are marmots commonly found?
Marmots are timid creatures that tend to construct burrows in open spaces such as fields, sparse forest, clearings and rocky slopes. If your home is located near these types of habitats, you may well find marmots in your yard, shed or any other space that provides them with a good place to shelter.
In the yard
Marmots sometimes venture into yards and gardens in search of food. They may be attracted by dandelions, clover, insects and any fruits and vegetables that grow in your garden.
Traps and fumigation are effective ways to get rid of marmots in your yard. Traps are used to capture the animals, while fumigation kills them directly in their burrows.
Note that if you want to use these products to get rid of marmots by yourself, our exterminators recommend reading the instructions carefully. Handling them incorrectly can be dangerous for you, your family and your pets.
In the shed
Marmots like to shelter in sheds because they provide protection from predators and access to a food source nearby.
If you find marmots in your shed, you’ll need to use traps and repellents to get rid of them. Fumigation is best avoided in sheds and other enclosed spaces because there’s less room for the toxic gas to dissipate. Traps and repellents can be hazardous for your pets, so make sure to read the instructions carefully before use.
Once the extermination is carried out and the marmots are gone, it’s best to implement pest prevention measures to avoid further intrusions.
In crawl spaces and under patios
Like sheds, crawl spaces and gaps under patios can provide marmots with shelter from the elements and predators.
Baited cage traps are the best way to lure marmots out of crawl spaces. Once you catch the animals, you can move them to a more suitable habitat.
Do you have a question? Take advantage of a free consultation with our experts!
Ways to get rid of marmots
There are several ways to get rid of marmots. The best method to use will depend on where the animals have taken up residence. Find out about the different methods below.
1. Traps
Traps can capture animals alive or dead, depending on the type you choose. Bait the traps with apples or vegetables like carrots and lettuce to attract marmots.
Check your traps regularly to see whether you have captured any of the creatures. If your goal is to keep them alive and release them into the wild (which we recommend), they cannot remain in the trap for too long. You also need to check to make sure that your traps haven’t captured animals other than marmots, such as pets.
Here are the two types of traps that are most effective against marmots.
No. 2 steel (toe-hold) traps
No. 2 steel traps must be placed near inhabited burrows. If you don’t know where the main access point is, you can place the trap along a path the marmot uses. This type of trap isn’t lethal and only captures the animal’s foot.
It’s best to check these traps at least twice a day to prevent any captured marmots from suffering for too long.
Conibear 330 traps
The Conibear 330 is a lethal trap. It is most effective when placed in the animal’s path. Once caught, the marmot will die instantly and painlessly.
These traps must be handled very carefully. If you think you may not be up to the task, contact a marmot trapping expert.
2. Chemicals
Chemical methods such as fumigation are very effective at getting rid of marmots. Once you have found their burrow, simply place the device inside and activate it. Toxic gas will spread through the burrow, killing the animals within.
One drawback of using chemical methods is that you may not be able to find and dispose of the animals after killing them. The marmots may die in places that are inaccessible to humans and attract other animals and insects as they decompose. The same problem can occur when using rodenticide to get rid of rats and mice.
Follow the instructions and stay safe!
If you decide to use chemicals, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, because they can have significant health consequences for your family and pets.
If you aren’t comfortable with this method but need your marmot problem solved quickly, we recommend calling a specialized exterminator.
3. Natural repellents
There are many natural repellents that can help you drive marmots away from your yard. Spices, plants and essential oils that you probably already have in the house can be used against them.
It’s important to keep your children from playing with repellents. They may not be harmful, but they can still cause significant discomfort.
Herbs and spices
Marmots aren’t fond of the herbs and spices we use to season our food. The strong odours drive them away, so try sprinkling pepper and hot pepper around your yard. You can also try chives, lavender, lemon balm, oregano, rosemary, or any other kind of fragrant herb.
Urine from predators
Marmots are timid creatures who flee at the first sign of predators. Consequently, one of the most effective natural marmot repellents is coyote or fox urine, which is available for purchase in stores and on the internet.
Once you have the urine, spray it liberally near the burrows and around your yard. The smell should scare off the pests for quite some time.
A strong-smelling mixture
You can also deter marmots by mixing the repellents described above. Take some fabric you’re no longer using and add predator urine, tabasco sauce, ground pepper and castor oil. Mix them together and then place the soaked cloths throughout your yard.
4. Objects to scare marmots
Marmots are very skittish animals. There are all sorts of objects you can place on your property to scare the pests away.
Here are a few examples of objects you can use:
- A scarecrow
- Motion-activated sprinklers
- Automatic lights with motion detectors
- Coloured beach balls or balloons
- CDs hanging from branches
These objects are the ones we find most effective, but there are many different ways to deter marmots. Choose whichever methods suit you best.
Get rid of marmots for good
As you can see, there are many different products and techniques you can use to get rid of marmots. It’s important to choose the appropriate method based on where the animals are sheltering in order to limit hazards and maximize your chances of success. Be careful when handling extermination equipment and make sure to read the instructions.
If you’d prefer to let specialists handle the pests, contact our extermination experts. We are very adept at pest control and have extensive experience with marmots.
Call Elite Pest Control today for fast and effective pest management services!
