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If you or your pet has ever been sprayed by a skunk , you’re probably not eager to repeat the process anytime soon. Getting rid of a skunk that has settled into your property can be done with a few prevention and repelling methods. In this article, we’ll give you a list of all the ways you can get rid of skunks and prevent them from coming back.
Things You Should Know
- Deter skunks by setting up motion-activated lights and sprinklers.
- Remove food sources by securing your trash and pet food, and keeping your yard free of bird seed and grubs.
- Seal off small areas with chicken wire, and use skunk repellent or ammonia-soaked rags to deter skunks.
- If all else fails, contact a professional to trap and release the skunk away from your property.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan I trap a skunk with a live trap?Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. Since 2016, Chris has been specializing in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.Yes, but if you set a trap, you have to make sure to check it every day. If you set a trap and forget about it, the trapped animal is going to suffer.
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QuestionWhat will keep skunks away from my house?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerRemove any food sources that might attract skunks to your house, such as food bushes (like nuts and berries), open trash cans and pet food. Also remove or block off anything that the skunk might view as a good spot to set up house, like piles of wood, large bushes or under the deck or patio. Put structural barriers against holes that lead into the house. All of these precautions will help reduce the likelihood of skunks and other problem animals like snakes and deer, from coming to your house. You can also get a wildlife professional to "skunk-proof" your house.
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QuestionDo mothballs get rid of skunks?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerMothballs are meant to repel moths. And while over the years, mothballs have been touted as a miracle repellent for every pest animal imaginable, including skunks, they don’t do much to deter skunks for long, certainly not in the quantities you could safely handle. Moreover, mothballs and their ingredient Naphthalene are carcinogenic, meaning they’re highly toxic to you, other humans and animals, and shouldn’t be thrown around the environment. There are much more effective and safer ways to deter skunks.
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Tips
- Skunks are very beneficial to the environment, and they eat a lot of pesky critters and insects. [13] X Research source Because of this, you should avoid killing skunks whenever possible.Thanks
- Skunks are most active during the mild weather in spring and fall.Thanks
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Warnings
- Never use lethal traps or poison to kill skunks.Thanks
- Never try to pursue a skunk. They raise their tail as a sign of warning and, if you insist, they'll spray with their stinking fluid that it's highly difficult to remove it if it stains your clothes.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-skunks
- ↑ https://www.aspca.org/news/dogs-and-skunks-smelly-dilemma
- ↑ https://ontariospca.ca/blog/living-with-wildlife-skunks/
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-skunks
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-skunks
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-skunks
- ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/whos_that_digging_in_my_yard_skunks_raccoons_or_moles
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-skunks
- ↑ https://www.wildlife.k-state.edu/species/skunks/index.html
- ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/skunk-spray-and-your-dog
- ↑ https://pesticidestewardship.org/wildlife-damage-management/when-to-contact-a-professional/
- ↑ Chris Parker. Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control. Expert Interview. 15 January 2021.
- ↑ https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/species-facts/skunks
About This Article
Article Summary
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To get rid of skunks, fill a spring-loaded skunk trap with bait like peanut butter and set it near the skunk’s den. Once you catch it, wear heavy clothes and gloves and take the skunk to the woods to release it, keeping your face away from the trap’s door as much as possible. To deter skunks naturally, rake up natural food sources like nuts, seeds, and berries, lock up your trash cans, and close off hiding places like decks and porches. Place citrus peels around the edges of your yard, or spray with bad-smelling chemicals, like pepper spray or dog urine. To learn more about how to deter skunks with sprinklers or lights, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I have had a skunk in my yard for several months. Now, every morning, I go to my washroom area and I smell skunk. I have walked the perimeter and can't find out where he's at, unless he is under my house. I'm going to start with using a cage to see if that helps catch him. Thanks for all the info, I will take it one step at a time." ..." more
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"I have had a skunk in my yard for several months. Now, every morning, I go to my washroom area and I smell skunk. I have walked the perimeter and can't find out where he's at, unless he is under my house. I'm going to start with using a cage to see if that helps catch him. Thanks for all the info, I will take it one step at a time."
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"We have several skunks that get in under our mobile home. The tips on what repels them and different ways to trap them safely will be extremely helpful. I now think we can get rid of them with out risking being sprayed. Thank you for the information."
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"I think skunks are somewhat cute for a rodent, but after trying to clean up after each of my dogs got sprayed, they are not that cute! Since the 4th of July, I've seen a skunk in my back yard several times. I will try to use suggestions."
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"I didn't know about using ammonia-soaked rags. I currently have a mama skunk with 3 little skunks that follow her living in a bush on the side of my patio. I turn on the light and they don't seem to be fazed by it one bit. "
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"I'm about to move to an area that has an abundance of the little critters and the article gave me some real good ideas about keeping them at bay without harming them. I will be peeing regularly on my perimeter!"
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