Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:25 pm
In this article you will learn 7 effective means against martens under the roof, which are really suitable for marten defense.
Eaten roof insulation and thermal insulation are the first signs that a marten is in the house.
Nocturnal banging and rumbling will make the inhabitants of the house sit up and take notice.
Soiling in the attic finally provides evidence that the climbing predator has moved into the roof.
Now it is time to drive out the pest, otherwise immense damage threatens from fungal infestation and smelly marten urine.
On the Internet you can find many instructions with which various home remedies marten are chased away. Unfortunately, most home remedies are completely ineffective.
A marten is not impressed by toilets and dog hair.
I present you the 7 best means, how you get the marten problem under the roof in the grasp. Everything is explained step-by-step.
I myself managed to get rid of the marten in my vacation home. Then you can do the same, can’t you?
Contents
What means help against stone marten under the roof?
- Ultrasonic repellent
- Scaring agent
- Neem oil
- Ammonia (ammonia water)
- Radio with timer
- Marten repellent belt for downpipes
- Wildlife camera
Using the means in the attic – step-by-step instructions
Now I will explain to you exactly how to use the means, so that you can make the pest’s life under the roof really uncomfortable.
Carry out all measures for marten defense as described and you have very good chances to say goodbye to the stone marten!
- installation of the marten repellent belts.
First of all, you should secure the downpipes with so-called marten repellent belts and eliminate or secure other entry aids (trellises, etc.).
Marten repellent belts* are easy to install and very robustly manufactured. Martens are excellent climbers and can climb up unsecured downspouts with ease.
- check for entry holes in the attic.
Next, check the attic. (This is one of the most important steps!)
All corners should be inspected, look for loose roof tiles, loose roof ridges, cracks, open skylights or holes in the wall, etc. !
Somewhere the animal must get into the attic or the house. If you find holes, close them permanently!
- use a wildlife camera in the attic
Install a wildlife camera in the attic.
This way you will find out who the “lodger” is.
It may be raccoons or rats that have taken up residence under the roof.
Only by using the wildlife camera I was able to find out if the marten repellent measures were effective and if the marten really left my attic.
I use the Secacam Wild-Vision wildlife camera*. I am completely satisfied with the device. The image quality of the recordings in absolute darkness are excellent.
I still install the camera under the roof at regular intervals. Once again I do not want to be surprised by martens.
- installation of the ultrasonic distributor against martens.
Install the ultrasonic marten repeller in the attic. If you have a large attic, you should use several devices.
The device emits alternating ultrasonic waves that are inaudible to humans.
These sound waves are very unpleasant for stone martens. They attack the animal’s visual center. The animal “flees” from the sonicated area.
The device can also be used against raccoons or dormice.
I have been using the Voss.Sonic 2000 animal repeller for 3 years. The device can detect movement even in total darkness.
In addition to sound waves, the animal repeller emits light flashes. Voss.Sonic 2000 marten repellent*.
- installation of a radio with timer
Position the radio, including the timer, in the attic and program the on times.
I programmed my timer to play music to the marten every 3 hours.
The whole 24 h on the day. The radio turned on 7 times a day for half an hour each time. I set the volume to the maximum.
- use marten repellent
The marten repellent is sprayed in the attic. When the marten moves around the attic, the powder gets caught in the animal’s fur.
The marten will carry this unpleasant odor around for a few days, irritating its respiratory system. Not a pleasant experience for the pest.
SuperExpel* is also used by roofers and pest controllers.
- ammonia (ammonia water) and neem oil as alternative deterrents.
Ammonia solution* is a very old household remedy for repelling martens.
One drenches old rags with it and spreads these on the attic. Application instructions should be followed!
Neem oil* is a natural remedy for plant strengthening. It is extracted from the seeds of the Indian neem tree. It stinks terribly and stinks the stone marten violently.
- check the effect of marten repellent measures and carry out adjustments
Check the wildlife camera at regular intervals, is the marten still visible on the footage?
Change the location of the ultrasonic repeller (once a week).
Change the times of the timer (once a week).
Replace the repellent/ neem oil/ ammonia water at regular intervals.
TIP: Martens are very adaptable and adaptive animals. They easily get used to the repellent measures
It is recommended to carry out several measures at the same time.
This is aimed at attacking the marten at different levels of perception.
- follow-up control – Is the stone marten really chased away?
If you think you have successfully chased the animal away, continue to monitor the attic with the game camera.
It is possible that the marten will briefly move to another hiding place, then return a few weeks later. Stone martens can have multiple hiding places!
My experience: “I used my repellent measures for three more weeks. It would have been very frustrating if the marten had been back under the roof a few weeks later.”
Personal thoughts about marten defense under the roof
When you “move into a new apartment” and shortly after are blasted with loud music.
Stinking oil and irritating powder is poured into your “apartment”.
You are attacked with LED flashes and ultrasonic waves.
Access to the apartment is made difficult.
How long would it take you to move out?
Signs of martens under the roof
If you are a homeowner, check your attic regularly for marten infestation. But not only martens can make your life difficult. Raccoons and dormice also love quiet, warm attics.
After storms and tempests you should check whether roof tiles or roof tiles have been dislocated. A marten can slip through holes the size of a chicken egg.
- Signs of a marten’s presence in the attic include
- Torn insulation and thermal insulation
- Food scraps in the attic
- Marten droppings
- Marten urine
- strange noises under the roof
- Torn insulation and thermal insulation
Be on the lookout for shredded or shredded insulation. Martens use this to pad out the marten’s nest.
TIP: Damaged insulation can allow moisture into the attic and a bad case of fungus in the house can result. That’s why regular inspections are so important!
Food leftovers in the attic
Egg shells, food scraps, fur scraps, feathers, droppings and skeletal remains are all signs that a marten is present under the roof.
Martens like to create a “pantry” for themselves in times of need.
Marten droppings in the attic
Marten droppings, also called loose droppings, are one of the clearest pieces of evidence that a marten has taken up residence in your home. Martens have permanent toilet places, where numerous excrement remains can be found.
Marten droppings are often mixed with food residues (shell remains, berries, hair, etc.).
The droppings are elongated and sausage-shaped up to 1.5 cm thick and 7-9 cm long. The marten droppings can have a color spectrum from dark brown to black.
Marderurin
The pungent smell of marten urine can also become a major problem. The wood or ceiling under the toilet seats gradually soaks up with marten urine.
In the worst case, the acrid smell of the urine reaches the floors below. In this case, the only thing that can help is the sanitation of the affected section. This can very easily result in costs of several thousand euros!
Noises at night from the attic
If you hear suspicious tapping or knocking under the roof at night, it could be a marten.
Also gnawing or eating noises could be perceived. Martens like to build up food stores.
If a female marten has nested under your roof with her young, you may hear a kind of (wi wi) comparable to soft bird chirping during the first four weeks of the young’s life. This sound is the so-called nest crying of the young.
TIP: If you think you have noticed suspicious noises, inspect the attic and the roof spaces promptly.
The longer you wait to take defensive measures, the greater the damage can be.
At what time are martens active?
Martens are very cautious, shy and intelligent animals. They are crepuscular and nocturnal.
In the summer months, martens are very active the entire (short) night. During the longer fall and winter nights, martens also rest at night.
How does the marten get under the roof?
Martens are excellent climbers who can easily climb up brick or roughcast house walls. Downpipes and wall greening are also excellent climbing aids.
Martens can jump up to 2 meters. Therefore, nearby trees should also be considered as an “entry aid”.
The marten uses defective or slipped roof tiles or roof ridges as entry points into the interior.
Also small wall holes are gladly used. Openings with a diameter of 10 cm are already sufficient for the marten to squeeze through.
“Holes and openings must be closed stably and permanently!”
In most cases, the uninvited visitor will be the stone marten (lat. Martes Foina), colloquially also called house marten or roof marten. The chances of seeing the marten with your own eyes are very small.
Do martens come through the skylight?
Martens also use defective and unlocked skylights to get into the attic.
Often, homeowners think that everything is tightly sealed and everything is in perfect order. But a storm may have damaged the skylight or pushed it open.
If you notice damage, you should immediately hire a roofer to repair the damage.
Preventive measures against martens under the roof
Since my experience with the marten under the roof of my vacation home, I take some preventive measures so that I never have the pleasure of the pest again.
I regularly spray neem oil in the attic and regularly install my wildlife camera.
After storms, I check the roof for leaks and walk the attic to detect any signs of marten infestation.
TIP: Check out this link for a book worth reading on hunting and controlling martens.
Is it allowed to kill martens?
No, as a private citizen you are not allowed to kill martens. This is strictly forbidden.
According to the Federal Hunting Law, martens are furred game and are subject to hunting laws.
Thus, they may only be killed by persons who are holders of a hunting license. For this, the hunting authority must permit hunting in pacified districts (properties, residential areas, gardens, etc.).
In case of violation, fines of up to 5000 euros may be imposed.
According to the Federal Hunting Law, prison sentences of up to 5 years can be imposed for “private” marten hunts within the closed seasons.
Stone and pine martens have a closed season from March 1 to October 15. During this time, the marten may only be driven away by deterrence measures.
Stone and pine martens may be hunted or trapped from October 16 to February 28.
Differences from federal state to federal state must be observed!
Who is allowed to set live traps?
This question cannot be answered unambiguously, there are different regulations from federal state to federal state.
Please inform yourself at the responsible hunting authority. In Bavaria, for example, property owners can obtain permission to trap from the hunting authority.
However, a certificate of training is required for this permission.
How does a live trap for martens work?
The first thing to do is to explore the animal’s movement routes. It is necessary to find out where the marten’s nest and toilet places are. The trap is placed directly on the marten’s movement path.
You can scatter flour to find any tracks. “Movement profiles” can also be made with the help of a wildlife camera. The live trap should have two entrances, as it is placed in the marten’s path of travel.
In the middle of the trap there is a trigger, which makes the two entrance grids of the trap fold down.
Care should be taken to buy high quality traps. The live trap should be made of sturdy wire, the thickness of which should be at least 2.5 mm.
This trap* is supplied including attractant.
The flaps of the trap should have a safety device against sliding up.
What bait is used for marten in live traps?
The trap must be equipped with bait. It is necessary to find out what the marten likes to eat. Martens are omnivores. Eggs and marten attractants have proven to be good baits.
One should not touch the baits beforehand. Gloves should be used to prevent human scent from sticking to the baits!
Martens are cunning animals and can become suspicious very quickly. If the marten spurns the bait, then it is called to be resourceful in the choice of bait.
You can try different kinds of fruit, small pieces of meat, Nutella rolls, etc.
Alternatively, you can use alternative attractants*.
Martens are nocturnal. Therefore you should check the trap every morning. Experience shows that it takes some time to catch a marten with a live trap.
What do you do with martens in live traps?
The marten must be relocated to a new territory. Take the marten together with the live trap and drive at least 70 km.
There you move the marten to a new area. You should make a long distance, so that the marten does not come back to its old territory.
It is best to release the marten in a forest area or agricultural area. One should have thick gloves with him, so that when opening the live trap, one will not be bitten by the marten.