evidence: Porcupines can be a Garden Nuisance. Speaking of porcupines, they are primarily nocturnal and don’t hibernate. And it’s winter when they can wreak havoc on trees by eating the bark and evergreen needles, which is why they are often found in wooded areas. But they can damage your garden, feasting on root vegetables, berries, fruit, and nuts. If they become a problem, you can capture them in an animal trap and move them along or install an electric fence. There are products such as Critter Ridder. Or use hot sauce or capsaicin, a chili pepper extract, on plants and trees to prevent porcupine damage and deter them from your garden (just be sure to rinse your vegetables thoroughly before you eat them.)