Tuesday, May 7, 2024

How to Get Rid of a Skunk Safely

how to keep skunks away from your house

And, unlike other repellents that have an unpleasant odor, this spray puts off a pleasing peppermint scent. The repellent comes in a 1-gallon spray bottle that can be applied indoors and outdoors. One bottle covers 4,000 square feet and lasts for up to 90 days. In addition to being a humane way to ward off skunks, Natural Armor peppermint spray is also one of the most environmentally responsible methods of solving a skunk problem.

Let your dog outside more

They do dig though, so make sure you dig a trench to set the base of the fence into. Live traps, baited with cat food or canned sardines, are an option – although it’s a risky strategy from the skunk-spray-avoidance standpoint. Almost every city and town has its own market for humane pest removal, so a quick Google search or trip to the yellow pages can help you there.

Dead Giveaways There's A Skunk Secretly Living In Your Yard

how to keep skunks away from your house

Roughly chop the onion and jalapeno pepper and boil for at least 20 minutes. Allow to cool, then strain the liquid into a clean spray bottle. Tony Carrick is a freelance writer who has contributed to BobVila.com since 2020.

Smart Solutions for Keeping Animals Out of the Garden Without Harming Them

Female skunks go through a very rough heat cycle that can cause lasting damage, reducing their lifespan; while males will start urine marking. A pet skunk that has been spayed/neutered can live as long as 20 years. Conversely, a mother skunk often only lives around two to three years. There’s some maintenance involved, as skunks have a different dietary requirement than cats and dogs, and need lower protein. However, if your cat or dog is an indoor pet, they’ll get along fine (semi outdoor pets tend to know the dangers of skunks and will try to avoid one).

The Best Skunk Repellents of 2023

Although they’re exasperating, it’s best to avoid using harsh chemicals or poisons around your garden and home, particularly if you have children or pets. Aside from the stink, they have a habit of raiding your vegetable garden and making a mess of your trash cans. Most animals, including skunks, cannot stand the smell of mothballs and typically withdraw when they are near. Remember that mothballs contain naphthalene, which is toxic to the environment and can also harm humans. When it is safe to displace skunks, mild harassment can be very effective.

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how to keep skunks away from your house

Sprinkle used kitty litter around the areas where the skunk lives to deter them from staying. They may carry a variety of diseases, including rabies, leptospirosis, listeriosis, canine distemper, canine hepatitis, Q-fever, and tularemia. See medical attention if a skunk bites or scratches you or your pet. Keeping your pet up to date on rabies and other vaccines is crucial to prevent infection from skunks and other wildlife. Skunks don’t like light, especially sudden bright lights, because their eyes are adapted for hunting in low light conditions. However, keep in mind skunks aren’t actually nocturnal, and can get used to constant lighting.

This spray means skunk creatures are feared by nearly all animals, including most of mankind. It is then that the skunk’s appetite for the pests that plague our gardens helps make it possible for that Moon to glow over a cornucopia brimming with plenty. Because skunks sometimes den under structures, occasionally they can damage them.

Clean Up Your Yard

In cases where eviction is necessary, a few mild harassment and deterrence techniques can help you humanely remove skunks while escaping smell-free. If the skunk is behaving abnormally, do not attempt to get rid of the skunk yourself. The skunk is considered to be one of the primary carriers of the rabies virus. If you suspect the skunk may have rabies, seek guidance from your local animal control or state wildlife agency.

Getting Rid of a Skunk Den on Your Property

Rise with water and repeat until the scent is no longer present. If you don’t have a cat or dog for a natural predator smell, try using commercial or homemade capsaicin or castor oil repellents, advises the Humane Society of the United States. (Capsaicin comes from chili peppers!) You can get capsaicin or castor oil repellents from home and garden stores or online.

Skunks also dig up grubs from lawns as a major source of sustenance. If you see small, cone-shaped holes in your yard, they could be left behind by skunks. Removing the food source of animals is a universal method for deterring pests such as skunks.

Don’t pack it too tight though – you don’t want to inadvertently trap a mother skunk’s babies inside. If you aren’t sure if the skunk is still in there, sprinkle a little flour around the entrance. For sheltered areas, consider blockading any gaps with mesh or chicken wire to prevent skunks from entering the area in the first place.

Of course, the spray can go further than this, but the accuracy is greatly reduced. When someone mentions skunk, this is probably the image that comes to mind. The iconic two white stripes and tapered nose of this species can be spotted throughout the US. It’s found mostly in Mexico and Central America, but extends into Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Texas. They tend to be almost entirely black or have up to two stripes.

Place one eyelet screw centered on top of the rectangular frame, and the other centered on top of the trap door. Tie a three-foot (or longer) length of string to the eyelet screw on the trap door, and feed it through the eyelet screw on top of the frame. By providing your mobile number, you agree to receive autodialed, recurring text messages from the HSUS with updates and ways you can help animals. Another reason to call a professional is if you suspect the skunk has had babies.

Knowing more about the enemy is crucial when attempting to rid skunks from the yard. Ahead, learn about what skunks like to eat, what smells they hate, and other crucial intel about these odiferous invaders. Its ready-to-use formula means users won’t have to deal with mixing or spraying. To apply, simply sprinkle the product lightly in areas that have incurred damage by skunks, working in a circular pattern. Stronger products, such as the powerful capsaicin-based “hot sauces,” are often unnecessary.

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Skunk Prevention: How to Keep Skunks Away From Your House - Varment Guard Wildlife Services

Table Of Content Eliminate Skunks with Live Traps and Bait Essentially KateS Peppermint Essential Oil Manicure Your Lawn Install Motion Ligh...