Ermine Control

The Damage

Ermine is the name used for the stoat, or short-tailed weasel, when it has its pure white winter coat (except for its black-tipped tail). Ermine are ferocious and bold predators and will attack and kill prey that is larger than them. Ermine will attack squirrels and young rabbits but prefer smaller prey like mice and voles. They can fit their small, wiry bodies into holes and tunnels created by smaller animals. The main damage they cause is raiding chicken coops and injuring or killing domestic birds. They feed on warm blood, and their victims will be found with bites to the head and neck.

The Health Risks

Attacks:
Ermines have sharp claws and teeth and will face off against a human if cornered. But they prefer to flee a situation when threatened and emit a foul odor to deter predators.

Rabies:
Rabies is spread from an infected ermine to another animal or human through saliva via bites and scratches. It causes muscle pain, dizziness, fatigue, fever, delirium, aggression, and eventually death.

Salmonellosis:
Salmonella bacterium can be spread through ermine droppings, causes abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting. It can often lead to hospitalization.

The Modern Solution for Ermine Control

A Wildlife Team member will determine if you have an issue with ermines based on the damage that’s been done, how poultry has been killed, and by droppings. Since ermine pose the biggest problem to domestic poultry, A Wildlife Team member will concentrate on excluding the animals from barns, coops, and other enclosures by sealing up any access points with wire mesh. Ermine can also be trapped and removed from the area.

When you partner with Modern Pest Services, you’ll never have to worry about a pest, rodent or wildlife issue again!

Will My Homeowners Insurance Cover Wildlife Damage?

Since every homeowners insurance policy is different, it’s important to talk with your agent and find out exactly what is covered by yours.

Most standard home and mobile home insurance policies will cover damage to your home by a wild animal if the animal is not a rodent. Some common nuisance rodents are mice, rats, chipmunks, flying and ground squirrels, groundhogs, and porcupines. Bats, birds, raccoons, and weasels are not rodents, and are often covered.

Usually, the damage must have occurred in a single, identifiable event. If it occurred over a gradual period and preventable action could have been taken, it might not be covered.

When you’re shopping for a policy, talk with an agent about possible wildlife damage scenarios you could face. They will be able to inform you on whether the policy offers coverage in each scenario.