Understanding Skunks
Skunks are known for their black and white fur and their infamous smell they release when they’re scared or threatened. In addition, skunks are notorious for digging burrows and leaving their scent on people’s property. But understanding their behavior and habitat is key to getting rid of them in a humane way.
Skunk Behavior
Skunks are often drawn to properties for food, water, and shelter. They love to eat insects, grubs, rodents, and pet food. Signs that skunks have been in your yard include holes in the ground or damaged turf as they dig for insects, and skunk smell, of course.
Habitat of Skunks
Skunks usually make their dens in places like under porches, decks, sheds, and other structures that provide them with shelter. Look for burrows, holes, or signs of disruptions under porches or patios to help identify their whereabouts.
Natural Deterrents
When it comes to skunk control, natural remedies are much more humane and often proven just as effective.
Using Citrus Peels
Skunks dislike citrus smells and avoid them, so scattering citrus peels around your property’s perimeter may help keep skunks away.
Cayenne Pepper Deterrent
One effective skunk repellent using natural ingredients is cayenne pepper. To make, mix water and cayenne pepper in a spray bottle and spray it around your property. The intensity of the solution can be adjusted based on the level of skunk activity.
Ammonia Solution
Ammonia fumes can also help repel skunks. Soak rags or old clothes in ammonia solution and place them around your property near skunk hiding places, such as holes or burrows.
Cleanliness
Seal Trash Bins
Make sure to secure your trash cans shut. Skunks are drawn in by the smell of garbage and will easily locate a food source in unsecured trash cans.
Pet Food and Water Bowls
Feeding pets inside and bringing water bowls inside at night can also discourage skunks from roaming around. Pet food left outdoors can attract skunks and other animals. Keep pet food and water bowls inside the house to avoid any unwanted encounters.
Prevent Dense Foliage
Remove and keep dense foliage under control to prevent skunks from digging burrows and making dens. Skunks love to hide and live in dense foliage so it’s important to keep your property well-manicured.
Call in the Professionals
Getting rid of skunks safely and humanely is always best left to professionals. Wildlife removal experts understand the behavior of skunks and know how to handle them without harming them.
Professional Wildlife Removal
Wildlife removal services help you get rid of skunks. They’re equipped with the right tools and have the proper training to handle skunks without hurting them. They also have more drastic measures they can take if needed, such as using traps to capture the skunks and releasing them elsewhere.
Humane Removal
Wildlife removal companies follow humane removal practices to safely trap skunks and remove them from your property. They’ll also make suggestions on how to keep skunks away for the long term.
Traps
Trapping skunks can be a useful and humane solution to removing skunks from your yard. There are different kinds of traps that can be used depending on the situation and the level of skunk activity on your property.
Types of Traps
When it comes to selecting skunk traps, you have three choices: Cage traps, live traps, and lethal traps. Live traps and cage traps are used in humane skunk removal and are designed to capture skunks alive so that they can be relocated to other areas away from your property. Lethal traps are not used in humane removal practices and are designed to kill skunks.
Humane Trapping Techniques
For humane skunk trapping, place the live trap along the skunk’s path, or near its den or burrow. Skunks are nocturnal, so they are most active during the night. Check the trap often and be sure to release the skunk in a safe area away from your property.
Exclusion
Another skunk removal method is exclusion, a technique used to keep skunks out of your yard or property altogether.
Sealing Entry Points
To practice exclusion, seal any entry points on your property that could be used by skunks to find their way in. Seal holes with hardware cloth, seal gaps around your foundation, and plug gaps near your home’s fascia to keep the skunks from squeezing through small areas.
Creating Barriers
Another exclusion technique is creating barriers to keep skunks away. For example, building a wire fence around your property can be a means of preventing skunks from entering or digging burrows. Make sure the fence extends deep enough into the ground to prevent skunks from burrowing underneath it.
Prevention
After going through the process of getting rid of skunks, it’s important to take preventive measures to avoid further infestations.
Maintaining a Skunk-Free Environment
Keep your property clean and well-maintained to prevent skunks from being attracted to it. Keep your lawn mowed, your shrubs trimmed, and your garbage cans sealed tight. Repair any damage to your structures and remove any debris that could serve as a home for skunks or other animals.