Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Get Rid of a Skunk Problem
How to Get Rid of a Skunk Problem. Skunks are a smelly and potentially dangerous pest to houses built close to forests or brush areas. As humans have built onto their territories, skunks have adapted, learning to live with--and take advantage of--humans. Skunks can live under houses and porches, and might even live in attics. They love to eat our...
Skunks are a smelly and potentially dangerous pest to houses built close to forests or brush areas. As humans have built onto their territories, skunks have adapted, learning to live with--and take advantage of--humans. Skunks can live under houses and porches, and might even live in attics. They love to eat our garbage and often travel for miles to raid trash cans. If you have a skunk problem, a few important steps can eliminate these squatters.
Things You'll Need
Skunk traps
Skunk repelling solutions
Fencing supplies
Instructions
Your skunk problem probably started with a (skunk) food source like garbage cans, open pet food containers, compost heaps or bird feeder spills. Clean these up. Put garbage, pet food and compost in metal trash cans with lids that can be secured.
Skunks are nocturnal animals and don't like bright light or shocking water. Flood your yard with light and motion sensors. Run your sprinkler system when skunks enter your lawn, or hook up a single sprinkler to a motion sensor.
Use anti-skunk sprays like pepper spray and commercial skunk repellents. Spray these around the boundaries of your yard and refresh every couple days.
Erect barriers around your yard or the area you want the skunks to stay away from. Skunks can't jump or climb, so this is another effective repellent. Fill in the areas under your house so skunks aren't tempted to make homes there. Fences 3 feet high and taller will keep skunks out.
If it's legal to trap skunks in your area, set box traps. Bait the trap with something that has a strong smell, like fish. These traps are too small for the skunk to raise its tail, so it won't be able to spray you once it's trapped. When you catch a skunk, cover the trap with a blanket or towel, drive the skunk out of town and release it.
Tips & Warnings
Skunks are good diggers and can fit through holes bigger than 4 inches. Keep your fences maintained, and consider sinking them a couple of feet into the soil to discourage digging.
Always make sure skunks are out of the area when you're building a barrier, so you don't trap them inside your yard rather than out.
Skunks may be infected with rabies. Never approach a skunk or put yourself in a position to be bitten.
