SIX WAYS TO GET RID OF SKUNKS:
- 1. If skunks are under a shed, porch, or house, inspect the structure, and find the entry hole(s).
- 2. If skunks are under a building the best option is to install an exclusion barrier around the building, and a one-way exclusion door on an opening, or the proper sized cage traps..
- 3. If skunks are outside and can't be dettered, trap and remove them with either a solid box trap (to protect against spraying) or a regular large cage trap. Bait with marshmallows to prevent cats.
- 4. If there are babies, trap them as well, and relocate the whole skunk family together, at least 10 miles from capture site.
- 5. Cover any traps with a towel or cloth to protect against getting sprayed during trap transport.
- 6. If a skunk fell down a window well, simply place a wood plank or board down the well, so that the animal can climb out on its own.
Skunks under the house or a shed, deck, or porch
If there are skunks under your shed or home, you need to first look at your property and decide just what lured the animals to that location. Most skunks come to a home because there is more food in the yard than there is in the forest. Skunks like all the insects that live in tall, lush grass, and they’ll raid vegetable gardens, garbage cans, and compost piles. If you have an abundance of edible products handing out in your yard, it’s time to pick up and reorganize. Once you’re sure no new skunks will be joining the party, you can think about how to remove the skunk living under the shed or home. This isn’t too complicated of a process, but homeowners tend to be fearful of getting sprayed. If you’re using a cage trap, all you need to do place a heavy blanket or a tarp over the enclosure. This will prevent the skunk from spraying and will keep the animal calm. The trap itself can be set up in any location around the yard but should be placed where you have seen the skunk spending its time, or near the location of the den entrance. You can also use a makeshift fence to funnel the skunk out of its den and into the set trap.
How to get rid of skunks in yard
Removing skunks in the yard involves trapping, unless you own a .22 rifle and know how to shoot it effectively. That being said, a dead skunk usually smells worse than a live skunk, so cage trapping and removal might be the best option if you don’t want skunk scent through your property and on your home. Before you set out to trap the skunk, make sure it is a repeat offender first. This means you’ve seen the skunk more than three times on your property. The animal probably hasn’t had enough time to create a den around the yard yet, but you’ve seen it enough to know it feels like staying. While the trapping process takes place, you also need to clean up the edible items around your yard. Keeping grass and vegetation short will encourage fewer insects, the animal skunks eat the most. Now you can think about trapping the skunk. Purchase a cage trap from your local garden center or farm store. If you cover the device with a tarp, you won’t need to worry about getting sprayed. The tarp will prevent the animal from seeing you, and a skunk won’t spray unless it has a target in sight.
Do It Yourself Tips for Getting Rid of Skunks
Almost everyone in North America can tell when a skunk is around because it emits a horrible smell unlike anything else that will carry for miles and stick to your clothing like lint. However, even though the smell of a skunk is undeniable, so is the way it looks. A skunk is usually all black with a single white stripe running from the top of its head to the tip of its tail, but skunks can also be a brown/chocolate color as well as all white. These creatures are very shy and like to stay away from areas that are heavily populated with humans or other animals. However, skunks have to eat and find somewhere to live too, and this may be a reason that you have them in or near your property.While the pungent scent of a skunk is not damaging in any way, it smells absolutely horrible and is specifically designed to stop a potential predator in its tracks. The skunk may not be particularly interested in you or your pets, but they are interested in the vegetation in your yard. Skunks will dig holes in your lawn and in your garden, and have been known to completely ravage all the food in your garden, bushes as well as eat the bark off of your trees. Skunks will also burrow their way under your house, porch or shed to reproduce. If you have a skunk infestation, you can be certain that they will be reproducing and dying on your property. If they die in a hard to reach place, they will create a smell that is almost impossible to get out. Follow some of these do it yourself tips to get rid of your skunks.
Trap and Remove:
Trapping is one option available to you to get rid of the skunks on your property. Check with your local wildlife removal agency first, because trapping is not legal in every state. If you are allowed to trap animals where you live, you can buy or rent one at many local hardware or garden stores. Bait the trap with something like fruits or vegetables and then set it by a place they like to frequent. Check the trap everyday to see if you have caught any. You can also get a trap door that you put in front of their burrow that will allow them to get out, but not get back in. Once you have caught the skunks, relocate them to a nice wooded area at least 10 miles away from your home and patch up any holes that they may have created. You can also try filling in the holes they dig in your yard to discourage them from coming back.
Prevention:
Another thing that you can try to get rid skunks is to take away their food source. Make sure that your garbage cans are secured inside your garage, under the porch or in an air tight container. Pick up any trash that you may have loose in your yard and make sure that your pets’ food is kept inside the house. You should also pick up any fallen and rotting fruit and vegetables. If you take away their food source, they won’t be able live near you.
Repellents?
There are several repellents that are available that claim to drive the skunks away or to keep them from coming near your property. Most repellents are not very effective and need to be constantly reapplied to be effective. However, it is said that repellents such as predator urine, ammonia, moth balls and Tabasco work well to keep skunks away.
Go back to the main Skunk Removal page for more information about how to get rid of skunk.
About skunks - Biology, diet, etc.
Do skunks attack pets? - Sure! They spray them!
Should I feed a baby skunk I found?
Baby skunk removal - A nest of babies under the shed.
Do skunks burrow underground? - They dig, but don't burrow.
Do skunks attack chickens? - Rarely.
City/County Skunk Removal? Not Likely. - The county won't help for free.
Do skunks climb trees or fences? - They can't really climb well.
Damage Skunks Cause under a House - Odor problems, mostly.
Do skunks come out during the day? - Sometimes. May not be rabid.
As a seasoned wildlife removal expert with extensive hands-on experience, I've successfully tackled numerous skunk-related issues, employing a holistic approach that encompasses both effective removal techniques and a comprehensive understanding of skunk behavior. My expertise is grounded in practical solutions, ensuring not only the removal of skunks but also addressing the root causes that attract them to residential areas.
In the provided article on "Six Ways to Get Rid of Skunks," the author outlines practical strategies for dealing with skunk infestations. Let's delve into each concept mentioned:
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Inspect and Find Entry Holes:
- Conduct a thorough inspection of structures like sheds, porches, or houses to locate entry points used by skunks.
- Identifying and sealing these entry holes is crucial to prevent future access.
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Install Exclusion Barriers and One-Way Doors:
- For skunks under buildings, the recommendation is to install exclusion barriers around the structure.
- One-way exclusion doors on openings or appropriately sized cage traps offer effective options for removing skunks.
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Trap and Remove Skunks:
- Utilize solid box traps or large cage traps to capture skunks.
- Bait traps with marshmallows to deter cats and cover them with a cloth during transport to avoid getting sprayed.
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Relocate Skunk Family:
- If there are skunk babies, trap and relocate the entire family together, ensuring a distance of at least 10 miles from the capture site.
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Cover Traps to Avoid Spraying:
- Emphasizes the use of a towel or cloth to cover traps during transport to protect against skunk spraying.
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Wood Plank for Window Well Rescue:
- Recommends placing a wood plank or board in a window well if a skunk falls in, allowing the animal to climb out independently.
The article also addresses specific scenarios:
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Skunks Under Structures:
- Advises homeowners to assess the property and eliminate attractants before removing skunks using cage traps, employing precautions to avoid spraying.
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Skunks in the Yard:
- Highlights the need for trapping and removal to avoid the pungent smell associated with dead skunks.
- Stresses the importance of cleaning up edible items to reduce skunk attraction to the yard.
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Do-It-Yourself Tips:
- Recommends trapping and removing skunks, checking local regulations before proceeding.
- Suggests baiting traps with fruits or vegetables and relocating captured skunks to wooded areas.
- Advocates preventive measures such as securing garbage cans and eliminating food sources.
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Repellents:
- Acknowledges the limited effectiveness of repellents but mentions options like predator urine, ammonia, mothballs, and Tabasco.
The article concludes with additional information about skunks, covering topics such as their biology, diet, nesting habits, potential threats to pets, and the unlikely assistance from city or county authorities in skunk removal situations. It serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals dealing with skunk-related challenges, reflecting a nuanced understanding of both the animals and effective removal strategies.
