How To Get Rid Of Skunks Permanently
You can get rid of skunks using home remedies like using natural skunk repellents and a bright light. However, the only way to get permanently rid of this wild animal is to invest in an exclusion barrier that restricts them from re-entering your property. Steel mesh or chicken wire around the perimeter with one foot extending outward will stop the skunk from climbing up or digging under the fencing.
Remember, the spotted skunk are better climbers than other skunk types.
However, sometimes the only way to remove skunks from your yard or shed for good is to call animal control for wildlife removal, especially if youre dealing with a mother skunk.
Will Chocolate Kill Skunks
Chocolate can kill skunks if they ingest enough of it. Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine. If they eat this, theyll get sick and vomit.
Over time, if they eat enough, it can be fatal to skunks. Some people place chocolate bars around their garage, home, yard, shed, or whatever else they notice activity.
The skunks sniff the sweetness of the chocolate bar and eat it. Id suggest to never to use chocolate to get rid of skunks. Its inhumane and extremely painful to the skunk.
You can get rid of them using other means rather than chocolate.
Why Do Skunks Spray Under The House
Sometimes skunks may spray their odorous liquid under your home or shed. They do this when they perceive a threat.
A female whos protecting her kits will also spray any sources of danger that come near the den.
Skunks will also spray under houses if they establish a den or nests there. This is a habitual routine that they do which likely helps with finding their home.
When they spray under your house, the scent will leak through cracks and crevices and eventually into your home. You can help stop this by using mesh for fencing to keep them from entering your homes foundation, crawl space, or voids.
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Let Your Dog Outside More
A great way to get rid of skunks naturally is by allowing family pets to explore the garden, Rachel continues. Animals such as dogs scent the area and warn the skunk of a nearby predator, discouraging them from spending time on your property. Furthermore, a dogs loud bark and boisterous activity can scare skunks away.
If you do not have a pet, consider investing in predator urine from a garden center to mark your garden and discourage skunks.
Whats The Best Way To Get Rid Of Skunks
The best way to remove skunks from your property depends on where they are and how you want to deal with them. For example, you may have an unrestricted budget to purchase repellants or be able to deter the animals without spending a penny.
For starters, make sure to:
- Remove food sources
- Avoid overwatering your lawn
- Never leave pet food outside at night
Skunks are opportunists, so dont leave anything out at night that could attract them. You can also prevent them from coming near your house by securing your garbage, covering openings, feeding your pets indoors, and securing all outbuildings.
Finally, skunks enjoy digging for grubs in an overwatered yard. This happens because the wet soil conditions push the grubs closer to the surface. Keeping your lawn maintained and not too wet could deter a skunk encounter.
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How To Get Rid Of Skunk Smell In Your Backyard
So, youve managed to get rid of the skunk thats been plaguing your planting. However, it has left a less than pleasant reminder of its stay.
Despite the fact your nocturnal visitor has been successfully shooed away, the smell has a habit of hanging around. So, what do you do about it?
Look for any skunk poop that might have been left around, and dispose of it. The poop isnt the same as skunk spray, but it still isnt a scent you want near your home.
Thoroughly soak the yard with a hose, to dilute the scent as much as possible. Rinse down any plants that have the smell, as this will wash the skunk fluid into the soil.
Mix 1 gallon of water with 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1 cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of dish soap. Stir until the baking soda has dissolved.
Spray the solution where the smell is, including on plants. The solution should be diluted enough not to cause any damage.
This should begin to neutralize the scent, and a few more rinses with a hose in the following days will remove it entirely.
Getting sprayed by a skunk is deeply unpleasant, and you want to act fast if this ever happens to you. Put your clothes to be washed immediately, and take a shower.
Use dish soap to wash with, as it will cut through the grease better than shower gel. Use dish soap on the hair as well, or a shampoo designed for oily hair.
Alternatively, mix 2 to 4 cups of baking soda into a bath, and take a soak. Rinse off afterwards to make sure its all gone.
Easy Ways To Keep Skunks Out Of Your Yard
Skunks are not only a nuisance because they like to get in the garbage cans and make a mess of the yard, but their smelly spraying ability keeps you indoors.
Fortunately, there are many ways to get skunks out of the yard safely and ways to prevent them from returning, and we show you how. Its not necessary to kill skunks to get rid of them.
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Call In A Professional
Although it is possible to buy and set humane skunk traps, we dont recommend attempting it yourself. Skunks can carry rabies, and even healthy skunks have sharp teeth and claws.
Avoid putting yourself at risk, by contacting a professional.
Always call for professional help when dealing with an aggressive skunk.
If youve tried everything from citrus peels to flashing lights, and now all you have is a skunk in fight mode, contact a professional service that can deal with the skunk efficiently.
Be aware that there are regulations regarding trapping and releasing wild animals in several states. Be sure to check the laws before you take serious action.
How To Use Coffee Grounds To Repel Skunks
First make some coffee.
Honestly, thats the HARDEST part of this whole process! Once you make your coffee, you can go and dump the spent coffee grounds out on your garden, under your deck, or near your tree line to signal to skunks that humans are nearby.
You should repeat this action daily or every time you drink coffee. More on that below!
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How Do You Prevent Skunks From Coming Back
First, the bad news. According to Dickens, ‘there is no way to completely eliminate them from coming into someones yard as skunks are foragers and constantly looking for their next meal.’
Now, the good news. Taking the above steps should ensure they won’t come round as much, and in far fewer numbers. If you’re really worried about them, you can sprinkle skunk repellant granules around your yard. However, according to Benny, ‘one of the best ways to keep skunks away is to install yard or garden lights. They are nocturnal and don’t like the light. To work they have to be kept on all night.’
Getting Rid Of A Skunk Den On Your Property
If a family of skunks has taken up residence under your deck, shed, or in your crawl space, skunk removal becomes a bit more complicated.
Try home remedies first, but if the problem persists, you may need to contact your local animal control to remove the wild animals.
The best way to get rid of skunks is to apply your skunk repellent of choice around the entry point of the skunk den. Predator urine is incredibly efficient if there are baby skunks present.
Once youre confident that the skunks have vacated the space, promptly seal the entrance hole to prevent them from returning. Continue applying repellent near the den site for several weeks to deter the skunks from coming back.
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Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Skunks Under Your Shed
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Skunks are most certainly not a welcome sight on your property. Everyone knows that skunks can be quite annoying to deal with.
If you get too close to these creatures, then you might wind up getting sprayed with a foul-smelling odor that will linger for many days.
You certainly dont want to have to try to de-skunk your pets or yourself because you ran into a skunk on your property. If you have seen signs of skunks living under your shed, then youre going to want to tread carefully.
There are methods that can help you to get rid of them, but youre going to want to try to do things right.
Read on to learn exactly how you can get rid of skunks under your shed. The methods listed below will give you many options to consider, and youll be able to pick the one that makes the most sense for your situation.
After youve read through everything, it should be possible to get the skunks off of your property so that you can breathe easy once more.
Get Rid Of Skunks With Peppermint Oil
Peppermint essential oil is another effective skunk repellent that is safe for home and garden use.
Peppermint Essential Oil Skunk Repellent
- 15-20 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 1 cup of water
Mix the peppermint oil and water in a clean spray bottle, and apply the solution to plants and other areas with frequent skunk activity or for getting rid of feral cats who like to hang around your home. Reapply every few days or if it rains.
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Skunk Removal From Your Home Yard
If you suspect a family of skunks has taken up residence in your backyard, call your local animal control or wildlife control officer. A pest control company will also know what to do. DIY methods of turning on the sprinklers or natural skunk repellents such as pepper spray can frighten a skunk and can cause it to release that odorous skunks smell.
Dont use a skunk trap. You can get sprayed transporting the trapped critter. Plus, trapping and relocating skunks to a new habitat is a bad idea. The new location can lack the skunks food, water, and shelter needs. And, according to the Humane Society of the United States, other critters may already be living there who wont want to share food and shelter. This can end badly for the newcomer.
Following are other ways to keep skunks from creating a home on your property:
Many of these tips can be used to get rid of get rid of raccoons and other wild animals.
Eliminate The Food Supply
The simplest and best way to get rid of skunks is by eliminating their food sources. Skunks primarily feed on grubs and insect larvae. Still, theyre opportunistic omnivores that will happily take advantage of an easy snack.
If you do away with their food supply, they arent likely to stick around. Keep your trash cans tightly sealed and store them in a secure area where skunks cant tip them over.
Seal food scraps with a strong odor in plastic bags. If you have a compost pile, keep it completely covered until the visiting skunk moves on.
If you grow fruit and nut trees, make sure to regularly tidy up underneath the trees to prevent skunks from foraging. Secure bird feeders so they cant be tipped over, and frequently remove any fallen birdseed.
Pet food might quickly become pest food if you feed your pets outdoors. Make sure to clean up any remnants and store dog and cat food in a tightly sealed container.
Skunks love eating insects living in tall grass. Add keeping skunks away to your list of reasons to mow the lawn more often.
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How To Get Skunk Smell Off Dog
To get the skunk smell off your dog, heres what you should do:
Step 1: Mix baking soda and warm water in a bucket.
Step 2: Add a small amount of dishwashing liquid.
Step 3: Agitate to form bubbles.
Step 4: Add one small container of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Step 5: Combine thoroughly before massaging the solution into your dogs coat.
Step 6: Leave it in for five to ten minutes, then rinse clean.
Step 7: Repeat as necessary.
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Keeping Skunks Off Your Lawn And Out Of Your Garden
- Make sure your lawn is treated for white grubs.
- If a skunk is feeding in your vegetable garden, spray a commercially available pepper-based repellent, or one that youve prepared yourself.
- If necessary, put a metal fence around your garden. The Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks recommends using wire mesh with openings of 5 cm or less, and stakes between 1.5 and 1.8 m high.
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Keeping Skunks Away From Your Garbage
- Put plastic garbage bags in a hinged wooden or metal bin.
- Use a garbage bin with a lid that is difficult to remove. You can also attach the bin to a nearby fence to keep it from being knocked over.
- Clean your garbage bin often to eliminate the odours that attract skunks.
- Another strategy is to wait until the morning on garbage day to take out the garbage.
Home Remedies For Getting Rid Of Skunks
There are several commercial products for skunk removal and prevention. But there are also quite a few home remedies that might work for you. Some of the most popular home remedies for getting rid of skunks include:
- Throwing mothballs into your yard.
- Installing motion-activated lights around the yard.
- Spraying the yard with an onion-pepper mix.
- Planting citrus trees around your home.
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What To Do If Sprayed By A Skunk
When dealing with skunks, there is always a chance that youre going to get sprayed. Although its not too common, it isnt impossible.
Getting rid of the odor of skunk spray is challenging but not unmanageable. Taking a tomato juice bath is a standard solution, but there is one that works even better.
This is one of the best home remedies for skunk smell on you or your pet.
- 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 2 teaspoons liquid dish soap
Use a large plastic bucket to mix all three ingredients. Avoid putting the solution near your eyes or mouth. Rub the solution over the person, pet, or clothing article that was sprayed.
Allow the liquid to sit for five minutes before rinsing thoroughly with clean water. Repeat this cleaning process as often as necessary, and dont forget to shower frequently until there is no more hint of odor.
Skunks may look cute at first with their white stripes and fluffy tails, but these critters stink more than most.
Finding the best way to repel skunks from your yard is a big task, but it is easier with this list of strategies for repelling skunks. Protect your yard and garden beds from hungry skunks with these natural ways to repel skunks.
How To Get Rid Of Skunks With Diy Pepper Spray
Skunks are highly sensitive to strong odors like hot pepper. Make a DIY skunk repellent spray with the following common ingredients.
- 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
- 2 quarts of water
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.
Squirt the mixture on plants, the garbage can, or wherever you notice skunk activity. Reapply this homemade skunk repellent recipe every three to five days or if it rains.
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How To Get Rid Of Skunks Under Deck Shed Porch And House
Skunks are often non-aggressive and can benefit the area they inhabit. However, they can become a nuisance quickly. If they decide to make a den and have babies on your property, you might only want to think about how to get rid of skunks under deck, shed, or house before you get sprayed.
Luckily, there are many ways to convince skunks to leave your home naturally and humanely. The best option is to make an uninhabitable area by covering prime den locations and deterring the animals with smells like mothballs, pepper, ammonia, urine, or spray repellents.
In this article, well show you the many techniques you can use to get rid of skunks no matter what part of your home they took over.
How To Use Mothballs To Get Rid Of Skunks
Mothballs should be avoided. They can work to get rid of skunks hiding in a den somewhere because the scent released over time from the mothballs are toxic.
The problem is that the chemicals are also hazardous to humans.
So avoiding mothballs when possible is ideal. You dont want the residue to leech into your home if youre throwing some balls into your crawl space, under the shed, or wall voids.
But if you find the skunk den outdoors, far away from your house, then you can use mothballs. Just toss a few of them into the den and the smell may help drive the skunk out.
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