How to Get Rid of a Skunk Under My Porch

Few people enjoy nature so much that they can appreciate skunks taking up residence under their porches. Skunks are widely known to give off a foul-smelling musk that can linger for days. They can also damage livestock, crops and structures and can carry rabies, tularemia, distemper, Aleutian disease and a variety of parasites. Using a few basic items from your kitchen or garage, you can evict your unwelcome house guest once and for all.

Medium saucepan

2 quarts water

Yellow onion, chopped

Jalapeno pepper, chopped

Tablespoon ground cayenne pepper

Cheesecloth

Pesticide sprayer or spray bottle

Newspaper

Rags

Ammonia

Twine

Wire hanger

Fill the medium-sized saucepan with two quarts of water.

Add yellow onion, jalapeno pepper and ground cayenne pepper to the water.

Place the pot on your stove over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to boil for 20 minutes.

Allow the mixture to cool.

Strain the mixture through cheesecloth and discard the vegetables.

Pour the mixture into a pesticide sprayer or spray bottle.

Spray the repellent all around the den area and a few inches into the hole. Do not spray deep into the hole, or the skunk may feel threatened and spray. The repellent should last three to five days.

Try the method listed in the following section if the hot pepper skunk repellent proves ineffective.

Roll rags into a tight balls, about the size of tennis balls or smaller. Secure the balls with twine.

Soak the rag balls in ammonia until they are completely saturated.

Bend the wire hanger straight.

Use the wire to push the rag balls into the burrow as far as you can.

Cover the entry to the den. Stuff wadded newspaper into the hole or cover it with loose dirt from the immediate area. Do not pack the covering too tightly, because doing so may trap the skunk underneath the porch.

Observe the den for several days. Re-cover the entry hole if the skunk moves the covering. When the hole remains covered for a few days, the skunk has moved on.

Repeat the process from the beginning if the skunk has not moved on after four days.

Skunk-proof the area to prevent the skunk from returning.

Eliminate potential food sources, such as pet food or birdseed. Remove foods at night if you must feed your pets outside.

Store trash in metal or heavy plastic containers with secure lids. Tie down the lids with bungee cords or ropes soaked in skunk repellent for extra protection.

Pour one cup of ammonia in the trash can every week after trash pickup.

Clean barbecue grills and store them in a secure place, such as a garage or shed.

Keep the area well-lit with flood lights or motion-detector lights.

When using hot pepper spray, wear gloves and avoid touching your eyes or face.