Minks

How to Repel Minks

Minks tend to be courageous predators that are affected by relatively few repellent efforts, especially when an easy kill awaits them in a nearby chicken coop or koi pond. A mink is likely to be scared off by these repellent efforts at first, but less so as they become accustomed to the sudden activity. For best results, employ many different repellent methods over time and in a variety of locations to keep them guessing.

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1 Identify Mink Presence Areas

Knowing where minks spend their time and where they prey will help you choose the best repelling solution. Some ways you can identify the presence of minks are:

Small animal tracks – Minks leave tiny, almost kitten-like tracks. You may see them leading up to where captive animals reside.
Multiple dens – Minks reuse dens abandoned by other wildlife, so this may just be a sign of muskrats or a beaver. Keep an eye out for minks exiting tunnels near water or other areas they can find easy prey
Large numbers of dead/missing chickens and other captive birds – Minks often kill more than they can eat at once. They may wipe out an entire coop in a single night. If there’s been a mink assault, you’ll probably see the “leftovers” neatly lined in a row the next morning.
Uneaten prey – As mentioned above, minks often leave many remains behind after a feeding frenzy. Unlike many other predatory animals that haul off and consume the entire prey, minks often just bite the heads off chickens or drink the blood.
Other dead wildlife around your property – You can often identify mink-killed prey by a wound on the back of the skull. Look for closely spaced pairs of canine teeth marks as evidence of a mink kill.

2 Install a Motion-Activated Sprinkler

Other dead wildlife around your property – You can often identify mink-killed prey by a wound on the back of the skull. Look for closely spaced pairs of canine teeth marks as evidence of a mink kill.

TIPS: Electronic repellents continue to grow in popularity as they are great solutions for controlling a wide variety of animals and have the ability to be placed anywhere in the yard. However, electronics rely on sight to activate. Therefore, dialing in the right setting is essential to seeing slender, stealthy animals like minks. For best results, set it to the highest sensitivity and aim the sensor in the direction you suspect minks are approaching.

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3 Install Motion-Detecting Lights

Minks are most active during nighttime, so naturally this is also when they do their hunting. Installing bright, motion-detecting lights around chicken coops, animal cages and other areas you wish to protect can be a good way to startle them.

However, this is not necessarily an effective long-term solution. Though this method may work a few times to scare off a mink, it is best used to alert you or a guard dog that there is potential mink activity nearby.

4 Remove Hiding Places

Keep protected areas clear of objects that may provide cover where minks can hide prior to an attack, including bushes, weeds, reeds, woodpiles and more.
Remove potential den sites around your property. Minks use dens that other animals have abandoned. Sealing or removing as many of these potential residences as possible can help reduce their numbers.

TIP: Replace plants with deer-resistant varieties. Deer prefer to forage close to cover, so plant any susceptible plants far away from wooded areas.

Expert Tips

Minks may become less scared by repellent efforts as they get used to the sudden activity. Try moving them around periodically to keep them on their toes.
The best repellent plans are multi-layered. Use a variety of repellent methods for the best results.
Exclude minks from areas you wish to protect by sealing off even the tiniest gaps. Caulk, expanding foam, metal flashing and small chicken wire are effective tools to deter them.
Avoid leaving outdoor pets such as ducks and rabbits out in the open where they can tempt roaming minks on the hunt.