How to get rid of a skunk
Keeping the skunks away… away
Skunks are scavengers and will eat anything from bugs to garbage. If a skunk finds a tasty morsel in your land, there is a good chance that it will start visiting you more often. This section will walk you through some steps to repel skunks from your property. Trash can
Eliminate skunk nummies
Skunks are nocturnal, so you’re most likely to see them…um…smell them at night and early in the morning when they’re out foraging. Skunks can and do eat anything; bird eggs, bugs and larvae, human waste, small rodents, whatever – they’ll eat it. The following is a list of the most common foods that attract skunks to people’s properties:
Unprotected garbage
When taking your trash outside for collection, store it in heavy metal or plastic trash cans with lids that will stay put even if the can is knocked over. Never place unprotected bags on the curb.
Backs and larvae
Skunks love grubs! Grubs are beetle larvae that live under your lawn. Skunks are known to dig small holes in people’s yards as they search for them. Fortunately, beneficial nematodes also love to eat grubs and are easily deployed in your lawn and garden to eliminate this attractant.
Food for pets
Never leave unprotected animal food out at night, it’s like making room at the dinner table for Pepé le Pew. I once had a neighbor who left table scraps and cat food for homeless people in the neighborhood. She ended up with a family of skunks living on her property.
Nuts, berries and fruits Fallen apple
If you have bushes or trees that bear fruit, nuts, or berries, you should periodically comb your yard and remove any that have fallen to the ground. Skunks will happily feast on them, as 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 piles containing bones, fruit peels and eggshells.
* Large numbers of terrestrial insects under dead leaves and foliage.
* Easily accessible water sources.
* Bird feeder spills.
Skunk repellents
Many people swear by this or that for repelling skunks, but few seem to produce consistent results across the board. Here’s a list of the most effective repellents we’ve been able to dig up. If you know of any that are not listed here, please add them using the tip 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 spotlights in combination with motion sensors.
* Automated Sprinklers – Contech makes a device called the “Scarecrow” which is basically a sprinkler attached to a motion sensor that will spray any animals that wander into your yard.
* Hot Pepper Solutions – Pepper sprays have been reported to work well, but must be reapplied every few days to remain effective.
* Commercial Repellents – There are many types available, people have also reported success with commercial dog and cat repellants.
#rid #skunk
