How do I recognize marten droppings? Is it cat droppings or is a marten up to mischief?

How do I recognize marten droppings?

As soon as you find animal droppings on your property, whether on your car, around your house or in the attic, the question arises as to the type of animal. Is it cat droppings or is it a marten up to mischief? We want to offer you some help here on how to distinguish marten droppings from other droppings. You will also learn how to recognize marten droppings by the following characteristics:

• Marten droppings are dark brown to black in color.
• Marten droppings are fine and the ends are twisted to a point.
• Marten droppings have a very intense and unpleasant smell.
• Marten droppings are between 1 and 2 centimeters thick and around 8 to 10 cm long.
• Marten droppings often contain undigested pieces of bone, fur, feathers or berries.
• Marten droppings are usually visible, as the marten does not bury its droppings but leaves them in the open. Another indication is places where the droppings accumulate. The marten likes to use the same corners for its business.

What is the difference between marten droppings and cat droppings?

Have you discovered droppings on your property, on your car or around your house? Have you noticed an intense and unpleasant odor? These are the signs of the presence of a marten. Marten droppings and cat droppings are similar in some ways, but there are also some differences that can help you recognize which animal the droppings came from:

• The size: Marten droppings are usually smaller than cat droppings and have an elongated shape that is pointed at the ends and slightly twisted.
• The color: Marten droppings are usually darker in color than cat droppings.
• Consistency: Marten droppings are generally drier and disintegrate more easily than cat droppings.
• The smell: Marten droppings usually smell stronger than cat droppings.
• The ingredients: marten droppings often contain bones, fur and insect remains, while cat droppings consist mainly of plant and animal waste.

Can you tell from the paws whether it is a marten or a cat?

Five toes and nails can be seen on the paw print of a stone marten. They have elongated feet. Cats, on the other hand, only have 4 toes and the nails are usually not as prominent, as cats can retract and extend the sharp projections of the paw. The paw itself has a more rounded shape. The lower cone in martens is often less pronounced and has an inward bulge. In a cat, the 4 sides of the pads are even.

How dangerous is marten droppings?

Marten droppings themselves are not necessarily dangerous to humans, but can be an indicator of the presence of martens in a building or car. Nevertheless, we recommend wearing disposable gloves and a dust mask when removing marten droppings. Especially if the marten droppings are already very dry and disintegrate during removal, particles of droppings are stirred up and there is a risk of them being inhaled.

However, martens can have potentially dangerous consequences if they nest in residential buildings or cars. Martens can damage heat and electrical wiring, which can lead to fire hazards. It is not uncommon for food supplies and other items to be damaged. A lot of damage is also caused to cars by marten bites on pipes and rubber parts.

Where do martens do their business?

Martens do their business wherever they are and feel safe. In nature, they often look for a place near water to relieve themselves. In residential buildings and cars, they often choose places such as attics, walls, corners and inaccessible areas to do their business. Martens can also do their business in engine compartments and under cars.

What can you do about marten droppings?

If you discover marten droppings in your home or car, there are a few steps you can take to fix the problem:

• Remove the droppings quickly and carefully: Use gloves and a scoop or paper towels to remove the droppings and throw them into a sealable garbage bag. If the droppings are very dry, we also recommend a protective mask.
• Pre-treatment: Disinfect the affected area. Use a disinfectant solution to clean all areas where the droppings have been removed. Special scent mark removers such as our STOP&GO scent mark remover are also available for this purpose. The cleaning foam is harmless to plastics, rubber and paintwork and is therefore particularly easy to use.
• Follow-up treatment: Eliminate the cause! Identify and eliminate the cause of marten entry into your home or car. This can be achieved by sealing holes and cracks larger than half an inch and removing food sources. For cars, fitting a marten repellent system such as our STOP&GO ultrasonic or high voltage devices is useful. But also for your attic, use the 4B battery ultrasonic device, for example, which is powered by two standard 3-volt button cells and can therefore be installed in any corner of an attic without the hassle of laying cables.