Animal Deterrents: From Low to High Tech Solutions
In the delicate balance of nature and human habitation, conflicts with wildlife are inevitable. Whether you’re an avid gardener, a farmer tending to crops, or simply a homeowner looking to protect your property, the need for effective animal deterrents has become increasingly apparent. As we coexist with the diverse array of creatures that share our spaces, finding ways to manage these interactions becomes crucial for both human and animal well-being. Visual, audio, and physical barriers emerge as the unsung heroes in this ongoing struggle, offering a humane and sustainable means of preventing damage and fostering harmonious cohabitation. Visual Deterrents Visual deterrents are powerful tools in managing human-wildlife conflicts, exerting their effects primarily through the manipulation of visual stimuli. These deterrents work by exploiting the visual system of various species, causing them to react with their natural instincts and modifying their behavior without causing harm. For example, the use of reflective materials, predator decoys, or flashing lights can startle and intimidate animals, deterring them from approaching specific areas. Visual deterrents leverage animals’ visual acuity and perception to create an environment that appears threatening or inhospitable. While their effectiveness can vary based on the target species and specific circumstances, visual deterrents offer a non-lethal and environmentally friendly solution to mitigating conflicts and promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife. However, it’s crucial to adapt these deterrents to the specific needs and behaviors of the animals in question to achieve the desired impact without causing unnecessary stress or harm. Low-Tech Holographic Tape Holographic tape deters wildlife by reflecting sunlight and creating dynamic, shimmering patterns that disorient and intimidate animals, acting as a deterrent to prevent them from approaching or causing damage to the area. Decoys & Kites Decoys and Kites deter wildlife by mimicking the appearance and movement of predators or other threatening species, creating a visual illusion that triggers a fear response in animals, encouraging them to avoid the area and reducing potential conflicts with humans or crops. High-Tech Margo AirScare The Margo AirScare, with its dynamic and erratic movements, deters wildlife visually by creating an unfamiliar and intimidating presence, discouraging animals from approaching or causing damage to the area through the unpredictable and visually disruptive display. Audio Deterrents Audio deterrents are tools employed in wildlife management to influence animal behavior through sound stimuli. These devices emit sounds that are often unpleasant or threatening to the target species, aiming to create an aversive environment and discourage them from specific areas. The effectiveness of audio deterrents relies on the animals’ sensitivity to sound frequencies, their adaptability, and their ability to associate the emitted sounds with potential threats. Common audio deterrents include ultrasonic devices, loud noises, or recorded predator calls. When used thoughtfully and adapted to the specific needs of the wildlife in question, audio deterrents can serve as a humane and non-lethal method to manage human-animal conflicts and promote coexistence in shared spaces. Low-Tech Whips Whips deter wildlife by creating loud cracking sounds and rapid movements, intimidating animals and establishing a perceived threat, prompting them to avoid the area and reduce the risk of human-wildlife conflicts. Blaster Siren Blaster Sirens deter wildlife by emitting loud, high-pitched noises, startling animals and creating an auditory disturbance that prompts them to move away from the source, helping to prevent potential human-wildlife conflicts. High-Tech Margo Squawk Box The Margo Squawk Box deters wildlife by emitting recorded sounds of natural predators, inducing fear and creating a perceived threat that encourages animals to avoid the area, minimizing potential conflicts with humans or livestock. Physical Barriers Physical barriers play a pivotal role in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts by creating tangible obstacles that discourage animals from accessing specific areas or exhibiting unwanted behaviors. Examples include electric fencing and bear spray, which are designed to offer protection without causing permanent harm. In essence, physical barrier deterrents offer a proactive approach to human-wildlife coexistence, providing a humane and effective means of protection. However, it’s crucial to use these deterrents responsibly, ensuring they are properly installed, maintained, and used in accordance with ethical wildlife management practices. Low-Tech D-Straps D-Straps deter wildlife by securing the lids tightly, preventing access to the contents and minimizing odors, thus discouraging animals from foraging through the trash. Bear Spray Bear spray deters wildlife, particularly bears, by releasing a powerful spray that causes temporary discomfort, irritation, and disorientation, discouraging the animal from approaching or attacking. High-Tech Electric Fencing Electric fencing deters wildlife by delivering a non-lethal yet deterrent electric shock upon contact, creating a psychological barrier that discourages animals from attempting to breach or cross the barrier.
Using Electric Fencing to Manage Bear Conflict
Bear conflict, in large, is driven by food in Alberta. Margo Supplies Heavy Duty fence is the tool of choice for homeowners, hobby farms, and industry professionals. The Heavy Duty fence is a multi-functional carnivore fence that can be a standalone fence system or can be installed on an existing fence. http://vimeo.com/video/631000796?h=8d541b7de8 Jay Honeyman is a bear conflict biologist with Alberta Environment and Parks. His job is large carnivore conflict mitigation and with that, he often deals with human-bear conflict. Jay explains the nature of these conflicts, and how installing a simple electric fence can protect high-value food sources from bears. From hobby farms to industry professionals, the benefits of electric fencing can be easily understood after speaking with Honeyman. “By reducing conflict and reducing these attractants so that bears aren’t interested in coming onto people’s properties. We’re not having to euthanize bears, we’re not having to relocate bears, we’re not having property damage for the landowner, and we’re not having public safety issues with bears hanging around properties.” – Honeyman, 2021 Electric Fencing is an integral component for managing conflicts with bears, especially when bears are motivated to an area. Once a bear gets a food reward they become quite driven and they will return to the area. Electric fencing breaks this reward cycle and tells the bear that they need to move on. “By removing the food source, it’s a win-win for everyone, and it’s something we should be doing more of”
Model Comparison: Margo Electra Scare Cannons
Margo Supplies carries a variety of Scare Cannons. Using the Margo Electra Scare cannon as as base, each option allows the user to control the cannon in a variety of different control options. Base Cannon: Margo Electra Scare Cannon Power Source: 12V Battery and Propane Control: Margo Digital Timer / Clock # Programmable Shots: 1-4 Tripod Compatible: Yes The Margo Electra Scare Cannon uses an advanced digital clock for pre-set firing times, multi-shot bursts, and two random firing modes to reduce animal tolerance. Compatible Upgrades Base Cannon: Margo Electra Scare Cannon Power Source: 12V Battery and Propane Control: Push Button Controller # Programmable Shots: 1-4 Tripod Compatible: No This cannon uses the Margo Electra Scare Cannon as a base, with the added push-button controller. The push-button controller allows the user to fire the cannon on demand. Compatible Upgrades Base Cannon: Margo Electra Power Source: 12V Battery and Propane Control: High-Frequency Radio Control # Programmable Shots: 1-4 Tripod Compatible: Yes This cannon uses the Margo Electra Scare Cannon as a base with a High-Frequency Radio Controller that allows the user to fire the cannon remotely on a line-of-sight range of up to 8km (5mi). Radio operates at 900MHz with 99 channels. Compatible Upgrades Base Cannon: Margo Electra Power Source: 12V Battery and Propane Control: Cellular Data # Programmable Shots: 1-4 Tripod Compatible: Yes This cannon uses the Margo Electra Scare Cannon as a base with NEW Cellular control. Experience the added ease of remote firing and monitoring. Control your cannon, view its status, and customize settings from anywhere with an internet connection. Compatible Upgrades
Model Comparison: What Scare Cartridge Launcher Do I Need?
Margo Supplies provides the Best Launchers for wildlife management. Compare the models of Scare Cartridge Launchers to find the best launchers for you Margo Thunderstick (#5800) a non-gun launcher designed specifically for the airport and industrial use. The Thunderstick is easy to use and has 3 safety mechanisms: A safety switch, a pin, and a gravity trigger that locks the trigger when the launcher is pointed downward. Blanks: 6mm Good For: Heavy industrial use. 5-Shot Adapter Compatible: No Fast Firing: Yes Ease of Maintenance: Simple maintenance at the end of each use. Record Single-Shot (#5100) a simple and affordable option that is easy to maintain. The single-shot uses 6mm crimped blanks. It is Ideal for hikers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts as well as for light industrial use. It comes in a bright safety orange colour. Blanks: 6mm Good For: Affordable low volume use. 5-Shot Adapter Compatible: No Fast Firing: Moderate, Ease of Maintenance: Simple daily maintenance. Record Double-Shot (#5101) Unlike the single-record shot, this launcher can load 2 blanks and cartridges at a time to be fired in quick succession. Ideal for hikers, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts as well as for light industrial use. It comes in a bright safety orange colour. Blanks: 6mm Good For: Affordable low volume use. 5-Shot Adapter Compatible: No Fast Firing: Moderate, Double Shot allows for more aggressive hazing. Ease of Maintenance: Simple daily maintenance. RG-3 (#5120) The RG-3 is one of our more compact launcher options. Simple in its use and easy to carry. Blanks: 6mmGood For: Light to moderate industrial use. 5-Shot Adapter Compatible: NoFast Firing: YesEase of Maintenance: Simple daily, frequent deep cleans RG-300 (#5170) The RG-300 is very similar to the RG-3, but the RG-300 loads 10 blanks in a clip. Blanks: 6mmGood For: Light to moderate industrial use. 5-Shot Adapter Compatible: NoFast Firing: YesEase of Maintenance: Simple daily, frequent deep cleans. RG-59 (#5500) The RG-59 revolver uses .380 blanks and can load up to 5 at a time. This launcher is able to be used with the 5 shot adapter which screws into the barrel and allows for simultaneous launching of any combination of up to five 15mm pyrotechnic scare cartridges. Blanks: .380 Good For: Aggressive scaring and cold weather use. 5-Shot Adapter Compatible: YesFast Firing: YesEase of Maintenance: Simple daily with detailed monthly cleans. RG-89 (#5600) The RG-89 revolver is the more weighty version of the RG-59. It also uses .380 blanks. Blanks: .380Good For: Aggressive Scaring 5-Shot Adapter Compatible: YesFast Firing: YesEase of Maintenance: Simple daily with detailed monthly cleans. RG-88 (#5350) The RG-88 is a dependable semi-automatic launcher that uses 9mm P.A. blanks. It has a 7 blank clip capacity for rapid deployment. This launcher can be used with the 5-shot adapter. Separate magazines can be purchased for speed loading and firing. Blanks: 9mm P.A.Good For: Aggressive Scaring 5-Shot Adapter Compatible: YesFast Firing: YesEase of Maintenance: Simple daily with detailed monthly cleans. At varying price points and purposes, our range of launchers suits many different needs. If you are interested in any of the above but are unsure of what would work best for you, call or email Margo Supplies to find out more.
6 Principles of Effective Electric Fencing
Whenever people live, work, or play in bear country, they bring a multitude of bear attractants with them. Bears are intelligent and curious animals, as well as opportunistic feeders with a strong sense of smell. Anything from beehives, to latrines, or used engine oil can cause an unwelcome visit from a hungry or curious bear. Additionally, once a bear has become conditioned to human food, they often continue to seek human food, posing a danger to themselves and people. Luckily, there is a solution. Electric fencing is a non-lethal deterrent that protects attractants from bears, yet doesn’t cause any harm to the animal. The brief and unpleasant shock teaches bears to quickly avoid the area. Electric fencing can seem daunting but is actually fairly simple and easy to construct. There are many different materials and types of fencing to choose from, but as long as the fence follows these principles, it will keep bears out. Voltage The shock from an electric fence must be strong enough to penetrate the thick skin of a bear. Your fence needs to be putting out at least 7,000 Volts at any spot on the charged wires. Use to test your fence and find shorts. Tight Wires The wires must be tight enough to separate the heavy hair of a bear and deliver the shock right to the skin. Whatever wire material you use, it must be “guitar string tight”. This ensures bears receive a shock as soon as they touch the fence. Corner posts must be braced to ensure they can withstand the tension. Your fence will need to be occasionally tensioned. No Obvious Weaknesses The wires must be tight enough to separate the heavy hair of a bear and deliver the shock right to the skin. Whatever wire material you use, it must be “guitar string tight”. This ensures bears receive a shock as soon as they touch the fence. Corner posts must be braced to ensure they can withstand the tension. Your fence will need to be occasionally tensioned. Grounding Bears receive a shock by completing the electrical circuit from the hot (charged wire) and the energizer. Electricity returns through negative wires or the ground. Ground plates or rods should always be present in an electric fence. The amount of grounding required depends on the soil and size of a fence. As a general rule, you can never have too much grounding. Wire Spacing Wires must be spaced so bears cannot easily go under, through, or above your fence. Permanent fences should have a negative wire no more than 2” above the ground, this discourages digging. Maintenance and Monitoring The fence line should regularly be walked to ensure debris hasn’t gathered against the fence, bears have not begun digging, and that vegetation remains clear of the fence line. A well-built fence looks like a well-built fence. Wires are tight and spaced consistently, corners are braced, and the immediate fence line is kept clean of debris and vegetation. If all these principles are adhered to, the electric fence will stop bears. Some government organizations and conservation groups may even help you pay for electric fencing which will help keep yourself and property safe. Introducing Margo Fence Hub We want to share our expertise with you. Margo Fence Hub is your resource for anything related to electric fencing. From planning to installation, we have compiled various educational resources to help you create an effective electric fence system. Go to Fence Hub
