HOW TO GET RID OF MINK

A mink is any of several dark-colored, semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals belonging to the family Mustelidae, which also includes the weasels.

Damage and Damage Identification

Mink may occasionally kill domestic poultry around farms. They typically kill their prey by biting them through the skull or neck. Closely spaced pairs of canine tooth marks are sign of a mink kill.

Legal Status

Mink are protected furbearers in most states, with seasons established for taking them when their fur is prime. Most states, however, have provisions for landowners to control furbearers which are damaging their property at anytime of the year. Check with your state wildlife agency before using any lethal controls

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Mink damage usually is localized. If needed, lethal controls can be directed at the individual mink causing the damage.

Exclusion
Usually the best solution to mink predation on domestic animals is to physically exclude their entry, sealing all openings larger than 1 inch (2.5 cm) with wood or tin and by using 1-inch (2.5-cm) mesh poultry netting around chicken yards and over ventilation openings. Mink do not gnaw like rodents, but they are able to use burrows or gnawed openings made by rats.

Habitat Modification
Habitat modification generally is not a feasible means of reducing mink predation problems on farms. If the objective is to increase natural production of upland nesting wild birds, however, habitat modification may be applicable. The best method of increasing upland nesting success is usually to increase the size and quality of cover areas such as grasslands, legumes, or set-aside areas. Although increasing the density of nesting cover may reduce nest predation by mink, it could lead to an increase in nest predation by species, which favor dense cover, such as the Franklin ground squirrel. Because mink frequently use multiple den sites, elimination of potential denning areas may reduce their densities.

Frightening
There are no known frightening devices that are effective for deterring mink predation.

Repellents, Toxicants and Fumigants
There are no repellents, toxicants, or fumigants registered for mink damage control.

Trapping
Mink can most easily be captured in leghold traps (No. 11 double longspring or No. 11/2 coilspring) or in Conibear®-type body-gripping traps equivalent to No. 120 traps. Mink are suspicious of new objects and are difficult to capture in live traps. Single-door live traps may be effective if baited and placed in dirt banks or rock walls. Double-door live traps can be effective in runways, particularly if the trap doors are wired open and the trap is left in place for some time before activating the trap. Live traps may also be effective around farmyards because mink are more accustomed to encountering human-made objects in those areas.

"Blind sets" are very effective for mink if suitable locations can be found. These sets do not require bait or lures and are placed in areas along mink travel lanes where the animals are forced to travel in restricted areas. Good sites for blind sets include small culverts, tiles, narrow springs, muskrat runs, and areas under overhanging banks or under the roots of streamside trees. If necessary, the opening can be restricted with the use of a few sticks or grass to direct the mink over the trap.

Another good mink set is the "pocket set" using bait. This set is made by digging a 3-inch (7.6-cm) diameter hole horizontally back into a bank at the water level. The bottom of the hole should contain about 2 inches (5 cm) of water, and it should extend back at least 10 inches (25 cm) into the bank. Place a bait (fresh fish, muskrat carcass, or frog) in the back of the hole above water level and place the trap underwater at the opening of the hole. Traps should be solidly staked and connected to a drowning wire leading to deep water.

Use live traps around a farmyard if there is a high likelihood of catching pets. Otherwise, leghold or Conibear® traps can be used with or without bait in runs or holes used by mink.

Shooting
Some states may have restrictions on shooting mink, although many will make exceptions in damage situations. if a mink is raiding poultry and can be caught in the act, shooting the animal is a quick way to solve the problem. Normally, though, it is difficult to shoot mink because of their nocturnal habits.
 

For help getting rid of mink, contact your local Critter Control office.  To find a Critter Control office near you, check out our Office Finder.