Animal chewing on my kids playset...any idea what?

[jpierce]

Here are some pics

 

[jpierce]

Different Pic

 

[Jstpssng]

Yep, those pictures just confirm the porcupine theory. There are several options, but the 12 gauge is most effective. Another possibility is metal flashing on the bottom of the swingset, so he can't climb up.

It looks like pressure treated wood?
Woodpeckers woudn't be interested unless there were bugs in the wood, whereas the porky goes for the salt in the preservatives.

 

[tracdoc]

Would agree on porcupine or some animal of that ilk, such as raccoon, opossums or even skunks if you have such in your area. Woody woodpecker leaves telltale holes in the wood, that look like they were bored by worms.

I never knew that porcupines could be such mean critters to domestic animals and livestock /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[MossRoad]

My dad had squirrels that did similar damage to the trim on his house.

 

[tawilson]

Somewhere I read that the only natural enemy the porcupine has is a mink, or ermine or something like that, and the drop in their population has caused an increase in the porcupines.

 

[LMTC]

The FISHER! One very bad weasel. This is a porcupine's primary enemy.

Fisher

 

[tawilson]

That's it. Thank you. Memory slowing fading away. Weasel on steroids or what.

 

[johnk]

Definitely a Porky. They also love T111 siding. Put some Tabasco sauce [Mixture with water} where he was gnawing. That should stop him.