Porcupine Defenses

While a few mammals, like the Northern short-tailed shrew and male platypus, can produce venom, porcupines are not poisonous or venomous. Instead, this animal has a different, unique protection against predators.

A Question of Quills

Unlike the short, rounded spikes of a hedgehog, porcupine quills are long and light. They are not deeply rooted in the skin, so losing quills does not harm the animal. However, a dog who tangles with a porcupine often ends up learning a painful lesson thanks to a muzzle-full of sharp spines.

Porcupines cannot shoot quills from their bodies but will shake themselves in order to dislodge spikes when close to a threat. Cornered porcupines will stamp and growl. Their main form of attack is either pressing their quills into an enemy or using their tails as clubs.

Are Porcupine Quills Poisonous?

These thin spines are painful for any creature that gets too close. In some cases, dogs, badgers, and foxes impaled by these spikes have died due to their injuries. While porcupine quills are not poisonous, only a doctor or veterinarian should attempt to remove them.

Quills have barbs that cannot be seen by the naked eye. These barbs make removal painful and tricky. Broken quills can become embedded and migrate within the skin, causing infection and scarring if not properly treated.

Even though porcupines are not venomous and their quills are not poisonous, concerned homeowners should contact the wildlife experts at Critter Control for proper handling and safe, humane removal.

indicates required field.

Get them out.
Keep them out.®

Experience wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control® office will contact you to assist.

 

Best Bat Removal

Anett B.
5/8/2023
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
Celia G
3/9/2023
Bat removal. Very knowledgeable and dedicated.
Emily G.
9/1/2022
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in Tulsa!
Jerry M.
10/14/2021
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.

Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.

Because bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
Vincent S.
10/30/2020
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious bat droppings.

Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.

She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!

Service: Bat Removal
Sonia-Maria R.
9/3/2020
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.

He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!

Quicklinks

Contact Form