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How to get rid of stuff » Pest Problems » How to Get Rid of Skunks
 

How to Get Rid of Skunks

November 7th, 2009 by admin
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Who needs coffee when you have a family of wet skunks under your porch? Skunks can spray their musk up to 15 ft. For instructions on getting rid of the smell, read How to get rid of skunk smell.

Warning: Skunks can carry rabies. Never approach a live skunk and if someone gets bitten try to capture the skunk so it can be tested for rabies. Keep the head intact as the brain is needed for the test.

1. Keeping skunks away... far away

Skunks are scavengers and will eat anything from bugs to garbage. If a skunk finds a tasty morsel on your land, chances are good that he'll start visiting more often. This section will walk you through some steps to repel skunks from your property.

Eliminate skunk nummies

TrashSkunks are nocturnal, so you're most likely to see.. erm.. smell them at night and in the early morning when they're out scavenging for food. Skunks can and do eat anything; bird eggs, bugs and larvae, human wastes, small rodents, you name it - they'll eat it. Following is a list of the most common foods that attract skunks onto people's property:

Unprotected garbage. When you transfer your trash outside for pickup, store it in heavy duty metal or plastic trash cans with lids that will stay on even if the can is knocked over. Never place unprotected bags out on the curb.

Grubs and larvae. Skunks love grubs! Grubs are beetle larva that live underneath of your lawn. Skunks are known for digging small holes in peoples yards as they hunt for them. Luckily, beneficial nematodes also love to eat grubs, and are easily deployed in your lawn and garden to eliminate this attractant.

Pet food. Never leave unprotected animal food outside at night, it's akin to setting a place at your dinner table for Pepé le Pew. I had a neighbor once who would leave table scraps and cat food out for neighborhood strays. She ended up with a family of skunks living on her property.

Fallen appleNuts, berries, and fruits. If you have bushes or trees that bear fruits, nuts, or berries you should periodically walk your yard and remove any that have fallen to the ground. Skunks will happily feast on them, and so will rodents... which skunks will also happily eat.

Other attractants. While the above food sources are the most common culprits that attract skunks, there are (of course) more. If any of these exist on your property, do your best to minimize or eliminate them.

  • Compost heaps containing bones, fruit rinds and egg shells. (Learn how to make compost)
  • Large numbers of ground dwelling insects under dead leaves and foliage.
  • Easily accessible water sources.
  • Bird feeder spills.

Skunk repellents

Many folks swear by this or that for repelling skunks, but there seems to be little that delivers consistent results across the board. Here's a list of the most effective skunk repellents that we've been able to dig up. If you know of any not listed here, please add them with the 'tips' form at the bottom of this page.

  • Bright light - Skunks are nocturnal and prefer to stay hidden, flooding an area with light can be an effective deterrent. Use flood lights in combination with motion sensors.
  • Automated sprinklers - Contech manufactures a device called 'The Scarecrow' which is essentially a sprinkler attached to a motion sensor that will spray any animals that wander into your yard.
  • Spicy pepper solutions - Pepper sprays are reported to work well but must be reapplied every few days to remain effective.
  • Commercial repellents - There are many available types, people have also reported success with dog and cat repellents.

Skunk barriers

The good: Skunks are horrible climbers and they can't jump very high.

The bad: Skunks can fit through openings as small as 4" and they're good diggers.

Strategy: Erect barriers around areas that skunks may find interesting in order to keep them out.

Skunks will make homes underneath houses, sheds, decks, and other above-ground structures. Seal them off as well as possible - remember that they can fit through holes as small as 4 inches. Skunks won't burrow underneath them unless they can see that there is space on the other side. Fill in holes and ditches as well.

Enclose large, open areas with a three-foot high wire mesh fencing like chicken wire and it one foot deep to keep skunks from burrowing underneath.

2. How to get rid of a skunk that's moved in

Be cautious when around skunks - they could have rabies. If you see one acting strangely, disoriented, foaming at the mouth or overly aggressive - get away from it and call animal control. If someone gets bitten by a skunk, do your absolute best to capture it so it can be tested for rabies. It's brain is required for the test, so keep the head intact.

Forcing skunks out

Skunk removal isn't hard. The trick is to do most of the work while the skunk is out foraging so you don't risk getting sprayed. Sprinkle a light layer of flour, chalk, or other white powder around it's den and wait until nightfall. After dark, return and look for tracks leading away to indicate that the skunk has left in search of food and then get to work sealing up all of the entrances (barriers were covered in the previous section). If you do this right the skunk will not be able to get back in. If he does, wait until the next evening and try again.

Skunk traps

If you can't seem to coerce your skunky buddy to leave willingly, you may need to trap him. First, check with your local authorities to make sure you're within the law to do so and then invest in a box skunk trap that is small enough to keep the skunk from raising it's tail all the way up.

Release skunks far from peopleWhen you set the trap, secure a few old towels or blankets to the outside to make it safer to approach once it catches a skunk. Bait the trap with anything that has a strong odor; sardines, tuna, giblets, and canned cat food are all good choices. Check it often, you're just as likely to catch a stray cat (Tips on how to get rid of stray cats) or raccoon (Learn how to get rid of raccoons) as you are a skunk so don't depend on your nose.

Once you've got your skunk, cover up the trap so it cannot see outside (don't smother it) and secure it in the back seat (or open trunk) for a nice long ride out of town. When you've located a suitable secluded area, place the trap on the ground, open it up and wait for the skunk to leave. Skunks will often be confused and scared so it might take it a while to work up the courage - be patient. Sometimes you can coax it out by sitting the trap so it's floor is angled towards the door.

If that doesn't work, consider leaving it for a few hours and returning later to retrieve the empty trap.

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    Previous Tips »
    1. Marsha Says:
      October 30th, 2009 at 5:13 pm

      We have a dog that keeps finding a skunk den or hole. He is smelly and so is my house. Some one said peroxide.baking soda and dawn dishsoap. I did sprayed my carpet with it and it helped. Also do not keep in slealed container.He is next to get a bath in it.

    2. CJ Says:
      September 30th, 2009 at 9:15 am

      After reading these comments quickly, I noticed many suggestions to shoot them. If one were to do this wouldn’t they just spray and funk up the yard as they died? Because that’s what we’re trying to avoid here.

    3. Anna Says:
      September 15th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

      I am finding little divot holes all over my back yard. I am told that it is a skunk in my yard, neighbors have seen the sucker. Can anyone tell me how to get rid of it. I live in a rural neighborhood so I can not shoot a gun and my dog goes outside so if I put something down I dont want it to harm him. Also I dont know where it is coming from his living area is unknown. HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!

    4. John Says:
      September 7th, 2009 at 10:45 pm

      Flanna Pilokski needs to learn how to spell & get serious?? Defending skunks thats kinda scarey?? Do you wear a straight jacket during the day??

    5. Robert Says:
      August 26th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

      The skunk was under our house. The fox urine stuff didn’t work. we had good luck with amonia soaked rags stuffed in the entrance after the skunk had left. Next day we put bricks all along the space he was getting in. We’re still putting down the amonia soaked rags but have been skunk free for three days!!! YAY!!!!!

    6. Jonesy Says:
      August 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 pm

      put some food (or if youre feeling particularly serious, chocoloate) into an empty pop or beer can and they will get their head stuck in there as long as youve taken off just the silver rim and left the curve to the top. they cant get their head out so you can either cover em with a garbage can and dispose of them, or if youve gone with the chocolate method, let em wander off and have the chocolate do the work!

      happy hunting!

    7. Tommy Says:
      August 17th, 2009 at 12:14 pm

      Best bet, set up on the porch with a high powered air rifle, .22 rimfire, or hell a 9mm will do if your neighbors arent gonna call the police on ya.

    8. kirsten frydle Says:
      August 6th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

      we both last year and this year have been having problems with skunks in the area and my good friend at ace hardware told me that they do not like the smell of amonia!! I put amonia in a zip bag with some cotton balls and puncture the bag and throw it in areas of interest for the skunks-just during the weekend my dog got smelly due to them and soon after put the bags around and under my deck where of course my dog could not get to them and we have not smelled a skunk for four days-I know this does not permanately get rid of them but they seem to not want to come around anymore!! Heads up this might be a good idea to save the aweful smell of our furry and household animals that we charish sooo much!!
      thanks for listening and i hoped helped in some way!!

    9. Skunkanator Says:
      July 19th, 2009 at 9:27 am

      Mothballs, ammonia, loud music, and so on do NOT work. To rid yourselves of these pests that are ruining your life there is only ONE solution. Trap and exterminate.You must take a stand and declare war!They will return and breed if released. My neighbours and I have gotten 10 skunks this year to date. A one time investment in a $50.00 trap is well worth it. It may sound cruel, but its you or them.See my other comment earlier on. It works every time. I tried the loud music,mothballs,ammonia,
      urine,critter ridder and so on.They are a VERY determined species.They are not cute.Last year they cost me over a $1000.00 in destroyed property.Not to mention the dogs being sprayed 3 times and the mental anguish.Take a stand and send them packing!!

    10. mariah Says:
      July 17th, 2009 at 8:41 pm

      Skunks hate cat nip>

    11. estrella Says:
      July 14th, 2009 at 11:42 pm

      well having about 4 skunks at my house and living underneath my porch is no fun!!
      i cant seem to get a hold of theese suckers..
      i was woundering if anyone knew if amonia helpss keep them away?
      well thank u all for all your advise and i will keep attempting to
      get rid of theese stink b0mbs!![skunks]

    12. Frustrated House owner Says:
      July 10th, 2009 at 9:38 pm

      To all those saying “love the skunks..they are living creatures too and are only doing what they know, they deserve to live” well I have one thing to say to you: I’d put money down that YOU don’t have skunks living under your house right now and keep coming back month after month, year after year. If they want to live there, as you say they deserve to, let them pay me rent because i’m SICK of it. They STINK and are a menace to anyone who owns a home. Trapping and releasing them does no good they just come back. I’m sorry, but my family and my house are more important than the skunk. Had to get that off my chest.

      I appreciate all the tips people are posting

    13. Skunkanator Says:
      June 25th, 2009 at 10:24 am

      I’ve Whacked 7 skunks this year alone! Get yourself a small trigger trap and bait with KFC chicken. Regular or Crunchy, it don’t matter. Microwave before baiting so the smell brings them in. They love the Colonel!! Remember to wrap the trap with a heavy gauge plastic garbage bag leaving ONLY the opening exposed.Once trapped, tie off the exposed end.Take PEPE down to the local pond for a swimming lesson. Remember to poke a hole in the bag before submerging trap in water. Once satisfied PEPE is KAPUT, remove bag and dispose of trespasser. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS WEAR RUBBER DISPOSABLE GLOVES.Trap must now be aired out for several days and then washed down or it stinks up your yard and may lure more skunks. Sounds cruel,BUT it’s the only sure way to rid yourself of the problem.
      For those who feel for them, have your house stink through out for months,cloths,dishes,my TT roadster, and you too will join the club.
      Skunkanator..Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada

    14. JP Says:
      June 24th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

      What if i get rid of the skunk one way or the other and it is a mommy skunk and it has baby skunks dont want them rotten under my garage how do i know if theres baby skunks?

    15. Kevin in Ontario Says:
      June 22nd, 2009 at 10:03 pm

      Hey hoping for some help.. I just tonight found Mom or Dad with two young skunks come out from under my back deck. I understand sealing the area up but if they are living under there how can I do this during the day? I’m assuming they are residing under there but the deck is only 6″ of the ground. Any help out there???? Thanks in Advance

    16. Me Says:
      June 15th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

      Skunks hate water. In order to get them out, we are going to continually spray the hose under the porch and drown them out. My husband did this yesterday and you can tell that it really ticked them off. The skunk dug so much and so deep this time that he could not control his bowels. Now we’re SURE that it’s a skunk…not a rabbit based on the type of skat. The other thing is Home Depot carries a product that smells like coyote urine that comes in granule form, so late tonight (after it’s been dark for a while) I’m going to sprinkle these so it seems that there could be a threat nearby. I will try to post the results.

    17. barbara b-t Says:
      June 11th, 2009 at 5:59 am

      Years ago my husbands family dog got sprayed on a visit up-north to the family cottage. His mother and sister got out the ketcup and slathered the dog with it. No more smell, Dad arrived later that night after everyone was in bed. In the morning when Mom woke up to find Dad eating his egg with ketcup (back in bottle off of dog) noone had the heart to tell him what he was eating. Mom went to the store replaced the ketcup and tossed the other bottle out.

    18. l lawrence Says:
      May 13th, 2009 at 5:26 pm

      I used hydrogen peroxide,baking soda,and dish det. with a small amount of essential oil of orange. make a paste, scrub the dog for ten min, rinse , do not dry with dryer, it’ll dry out the skin to much. worked like a charm !

    19. smartass Says:
      March 5th, 2009 at 5:15 am

      To the person which is supposed to be an exterminator, you are an idiot and as bad as any skunk. Hope you get sprayed!

    20. Stef Says:
      February 25th, 2009 at 12:26 pm

      i need help. I think i have a skunk living in my basement. i can’t find a way for them to get in, but three times I have woke up to the smell of skunk. once with the alarm clock. my grandma said they don’t like mothballs. Should I try it?

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