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How to Get Rid of Skunks Naturally
How to Get Rid of Skunks Naturally. Skunks are black and white nocturnal mammals about the size of house cats. They have powerful scent glands that can shoot an acrid liquid 6-10 feet. Skunks sometimes spray pets or children and may damage your garden or lawn by digging. They also occasionally carry rabies. The first sign of a nearby skunk is...
Skunks are black and white nocturnal mammals about the size of house cats. They have powerful scent glands that can shoot an acrid liquid 6-10 feet. Skunks sometimes spray pets or children and may damage your garden or lawn by digging. They also occasionally carry rabies. The first sign of a nearby skunk is usually its odor, since skunks rarely come out during the day. There are a variety of commercial products that claim to repel skunks, but they aren't very effective, according to the University of California at Davis. However, you can take action to keep skunks away from your home.
Things You'll Need
1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth
Hammer
Nails
Flour
"Grub Away Nematodes" or "Milky Spore
Remove any sources of food, such as pet food placed outdoors. Do not add food scraps to outdoor compost bins. If you have fruit trees, remove fallen fruit regularly. Make sure your garbage cans have tightly fitted lids.
Limit potential den sites. Stack firewood neatly and cut back any overgrown bushes. Use 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth to block any entrances to sheds, decks, porches and houses. Do not block areas that are already used as dens.
Wait for the skunk to leave its den before blocking the area with mesh cloth. If you're not sure whether the skunk has left yet, sprinkle a fine layer of flour near the opening and check it after dark for footprints. If the skunk has young, build a one-way, outward-swinging gate with a large piece of mesh cloth hinged at the top and left free on the other sides. If the mesh is larger than the opening, it will only open outwards.
Leave security lights on outside your home. Skunks are sensitive to light and may avoid it.
Apply "Grub Away Nematodes" or "Milky Spore" to your lawn if skunks are digging in your grass. These products contain natural bacteria that removes the grubs eaten by skunks and other wild animals.
Tips & Warnings
Always see a doctor if you are bitten by a skunk, even if the bite seems minor.
Contact your local health department if you see a skunk that is listless, acting strangely or wandering during the daytime.
Never feed skunks.
If you live in an area that has skunks, make sure your pets receive rabies vaccinations.
