Can I get rid of a fisher cat? Yes, you can take steps to manage and deter fisher cats from your property.
Fisher cats, scientifically known as Pekania pennanti, are elusive and fascinating members of the weasel family. Often mistaken for large weasels or even small bears due to their size and dark fur, these adaptable creatures are native to North America. While their presence can be intriguing, they can also become a nuisance, particularly when they venture into human-populated areas. This guide aims to provide comprehensive information on how to manage and effectively get rid of a fisher cat if it’s causing problems on your property.
Image Source: eadn-wc01-4749605.nxedge.io
Deciphering the Fisher Cat’s Presence
Fisher cats are omnivorous and opportunistic hunters. Their diet primarily consists of small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, mice, and voles. However, they are also known to eat birds, insects, fruits, and berries. A significant concern for homeowners is their potential to prey on domestic pets, especially smaller ones like kittens, puppies, and even smaller chickens or rabbits kept outdoors.
What Attracts Fisher Cats to a Property?
Several factors can make your property an attractive habitat for fisher cats:
- Food Sources: Accessible food, whether it’s rodents in and around your home, unsecured garbage, or outdoor pet food, can draw them in.
- Shelter: Dense vegetation, woodpiles, crawl spaces, sheds, or abandoned structures provide ideal denning and resting sites.
- Water: Proximity to water sources like streams or ponds can also be a draw.
- Lack of Deterrents: If a property offers easy access and no perceived threats, fisher cats are more likely to establish a territory.
Strategies for Fisher Cat Removal and Control
Dealing with a nuisance fisher cat requires a multi-faceted approach. The goal is often not to eliminate them entirely but to deter fisher cats and make your property less appealing. Effective fisher cat control focuses on removing attractants and creating barriers.
Humane Fisher Cat Traps: A Responsible Approach
When other methods fail, and a fisher cat is causing significant problems, humane fisher cat traps can be a last resort. It is crucial to check local regulations regarding trapping wildlife, as permits may be required.
Types of Humane Traps:
- Live Cage Traps: These are typically made of sturdy wire mesh and designed to capture the animal without causing harm. They have a trigger mechanism that, when activated by the animal, closes the trap door.
- Box Traps: Similar to cage traps, these are often constructed from wood or metal and also employ a trigger system to secure the animal safely.
Best Practices for Using Humane Traps:
- Placement: Position traps along established travel paths or near areas where the fisher cat has been seen.
- Baiting: Use attractive bait such as fish, chicken, or canned cat food. Place the bait at the back of the trap, behind the trigger plate, to ensure the animal walks over the trigger.
- Regular Checks: It is imperative to check traps frequently, at least twice a day (morning and evening). Leaving an animal trapped for extended periods can cause stress, injury, or exposure to the elements.
- Relocation: If you capture a fisher cat, relocate it according to local wildlife regulations. Often, this means releasing it in a suitable, remote habitat far from human settlements. Important: Relocating wildlife can sometimes be detrimental to the animal and the ecosystem it is moved to. Always consult with local wildlife authorities for guidance.
Fisher Cat Deterrents: Making Your Property Less Inviting
The most effective way to manage fisher cats is to implement fisher cat deterrents that make your property unattractive.
Eliminating Food Sources:
- Secure Garbage: Use heavy-duty, lidded garbage cans. Store them in a secure area, like a garage or shed, until collection day.
- Pet Food Management: Never leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight. Feed pets indoors or remove food immediately after they finish eating.
- Bird Feeder Maintenance: While bird feeders attract desirable wildlife, they can also indirectly attract predators. Clean up spilled seed regularly, and consider taking down feeders if you suspect they are attracting fisher cats.
- Compost Management: Ensure compost piles are well-managed and do not contain meat scraps or other animal products that can attract fisher cats.
Modifying Habitat:
- Clear Debris: Remove potential denning sites by clearing away brush piles, fallen logs, and debris from your yard.
- Secure Outbuildings: Seal any openings in sheds, garages, decks, or under your house that could provide shelter. Use sturdy hardware cloth or metal sheeting to block entry points.
- Woodpile Management: Stack firewood away from your house and off the ground. Cover it to keep it dry and less inviting for small animals that fisher cats prey on.
- Trim Vegetation: Keep shrubbery and tree branches trimmed, especially those that hang over or near your house, as fisher cats are adept climbers.
Fisher Cat Repellents: Natural and Chemical Options
While less effective for established residents, fisher cat repellents can sometimes help discourage them from visiting your property. Their effectiveness can vary, and reapplication is often necessary.
Natural Repellents:
- Ammonia-soaked rags: The strong smell of ammonia can be unpleasant to fisher cats. Place rags soaked in ammonia near potential entry points or problem areas.
- Predator Urine: Products containing the urine of natural predators like coyotes or bobcats can act as a deterrent by signaling danger.
- Strong Scents: Some people report success with strong-smelling substances like cayenne pepper or garlic spray, though these often have limited effectiveness and require frequent reapplication.
Commercial Repellents:
- There are commercial repellents available that are specifically designed for various wild animals. Always read and follow the product instructions carefully, paying attention to safety precautions for pets and children.
Fisher Cat Proofing: Creating Physical Barriers
Fisher cat proofing involves creating physical barriers to prevent them from accessing certain areas of your property.
Protecting Outdoor Structures:
- Crawl Space Access: Ensure that crawl space vents are covered with sturdy hardware cloth or metal grating. Seal any gaps or holes leading into the foundation.
- Shed and Garage Security: Install a sturdy skirt of hardware cloth or metal sheeting around the base of sheds and garages to prevent entry. Ensure doors and windows are kept closed and secured.
- Chicken Coops and Rabbit Hutches: If you keep poultry or small animals, ensure their enclosures are completely secure. Use heavy-gauge wire mesh, bury it at least a foot deep around the perimeter, and secure all latches tightly.
Protecting Trees and Gardens:
- While less common, fisher cats can sometimes damage gardens. Consider fencing off sensitive garden areas, especially if you’ve had issues with them digging or disturbing plants.
When to Seek Professional Help for Fisher Cat Removal
If you are experiencing persistent problems with a nuisance fisher cat, or if you are uncomfortable dealing with wildlife yourself, it is advisable to contact a professional fisher cat removal service.
What Professionals Offer:
- Expert Assessment: Wildlife control professionals can accurately identify the animal and assess the extent of the problem.
- Effective Trapping and Removal: They have the knowledge and equipment to use specialized humane fisher cat traps and understand local wildlife regulations.
- Habitat Modification Advice: They can provide tailored advice on preventing fisher cats and fisher cat proofing your property.
- Safe Relocation: Professionals ensure that any captured animals are relocated humanely and legally.
Preventing Fisher Cats: Long-Term Solutions
The best strategy for managing fisher cats is preventing fisher cats from becoming accustomed to your property in the first place. This involves consistent efforts to eliminate attractants and maintain secure surroundings.
Key Prevention Strategies:
- Consistent Food Management: Regularly review your practices for storing garbage, feeding pets, and managing bird feeders to ensure no food sources are left accessible.
- Regular Property Maintenance: Keep your yard tidy. Remove brush piles, secure outdoor structures, and maintain your home’s exterior to seal potential entry points.
- Educate Yourself and Neighbors: Share information with your neighbors about effective wildlife management practices. A community-wide effort can be more effective in deterring wildlife.
- Observe Animal Behavior: Pay attention to any signs of fisher cat activity on or near your property. Early detection allows for quicker implementation of deterrents.
Common Misconceptions About Fisher Cats
It’s important to have accurate information when dealing with wildlife. Here are some common misconceptions:
- Fisher cats are aggressive towards humans: While they are wild animals and should be treated with caution, fisher cats are generally shy and avoid humans. Attacks on people are extremely rare.
- Fisher cats are the same as fishers: The name “fisher cat” is a misnomer. They are not felines and have no relation to fish. The name likely originated from early settlers who encountered them and used existing terminology.
- Fisher cats are solely nocturnal: While they are most active at dawn and dusk, they can also be seen during daylight hours, especially when foraging or raising young.
Table: Comparison of Fisher Cat Control Methods
| Method | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eliminating Food | Highly effective, low cost | Requires consistent effort and discipline | Preventing attraction, long-term management |
| Habitat Modification | Reduces shelter, makes property less appealing | Can be labor-intensive, requires ongoing maintenance | Discouraging denning, reducing hiding places |
| Humane Trapping | Can remove specific problem animals | Requires permits, checking regulations, responsible relocation, potential stress to animal | Removing an animal that has become a persistent nuisance |
| Repellents | Can deter, relatively easy to apply | Often temporary, effectiveness varies, requires reapplication | Discouraging initial visits, supplementing other methods |
| Fisher Cat Proofing | Creates physical barriers, highly effective | Can be costly and time-consuming to implement fully | Protecting specific areas like homes, sheds, pet enclosures |
| Professional Help | Expert knowledge, effective solutions | Costly | Severe infestations, difficult situations, when personal safety is a concern |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Are fisher cats dangerous to pets?
Yes, fisher cats can be dangerous to small pets like kittens, puppies, cats, and small dogs, especially if they are left unsupervised outdoors. They are skilled hunters and can easily overpower smaller animals.
Q2: Can a fisher cat climb trees?
Absolutely. Fisher cats are excellent climbers and can ascend trees with agility to hunt squirrels or other arboreal prey. They also use trees for shelter and to escape danger.
Q3: How can I tell if I have a fisher cat on my property?
Signs include:
* Tracks in mud or snow that are five-toed and resemble those of a dog or cat but are larger and more elongated.
* Scat (droppings) which are often tubular and may contain fur, feathers, or bone fragments.
* Evidence of prey animals being killed or scavenged.
* Sightings of the animal itself, which is typically dark brown to black, has a bushy tail, and a somewhat elongated body.
Q4: What is the best time of year to try and deter fisher cats?
While deterrents can be applied year-round, spring and summer are often key times. This is when young fisher cats may be exploring and establishing territories, and when outdoor food sources (like unsecured garbage or pet food) are more prevalent.
Q5: Is it legal to trap and kill a fisher cat?
Legality varies significantly by state and local regulations. In many areas, fisher cats are protected, and trapping or killing them without proper permits is illegal. Always check with your local wildlife agency or Department of Natural Resources before attempting any trapping or lethal control.
Q6: Do fisher cats hibernate?
No, fisher cats do not hibernate. They remain active throughout the winter months, hunting and foraging as needed.
By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can effectively manage and get rid of a fisher cat problem, making your property a less attractive and safer environment. Remember that patience and consistency are key to successful fisher cat control and preventing fisher cats from becoming a persistent nuisance.