How to Get Rid of Skunks Without Harm 

Are skunks making a stink in and around your property? If so, the news is both good and not so good. On the downside, skunks can scamper off with some of your garden’s best crops and damage your yard and landscaping in the process. These mild-mannered animals may also carry rabies and other diseases, including leptospirosis and canine distemper. On the positive side, skunks are rarely aggressive and can actually help you in the garden by eliminating many harmful insects and some other types of rodents.

USX Pest Control is an industry leader in Upstate New York and Western Massachusetts. We understand that many people would prefer to relocate skunks without risking getting sprayed or dealing with skunks’ characteristically unpleasant odor. Let’s explore humane skunk removal methods, strategies for preventing them, and tips to help you know when to call for professional help. 

Understanding Skunks 

Skunks have an iconic look and smell. Their familiar black furry body and characteristic white stripe and fluffy tail are unmistakable. Although the sight of a skunk might send a shiver of dread down your spine for smelly reasons, these animals are typically gentle and not aggressive. 

Basic Behavior and Habitat of Skunks 

Skunks are nocturnal, which means that they are more active at night and sleep in their leaf-lined dens during the day. Skunks usually create their dens within a two-mile radius of a water source. They often use abandoned burrows, but they can also set up shop under porches, under sheds, under decks, inside buildings, drainpipes, hollow trees, and under wood or rock piles.

Some other useful and interesting facts about these cute but smelly critters include the following: 

• Skunks will warn you before spraying by hissing, stamping their feet, and arching their tails. 
• They only spray as defense and rarely react if you’re standing still, quiet, or moving slowly. 
• Skunks eat nearly anything, including plants, fruit, insects, small rodents, and bird eggs.

Reasons Skunks May Be Attracted to Your Property 

Easy access to food can serve as a “Welcome” sign to skunks. Unsecured garbage, fallen fruit, gardens, and pet food left outdoors overnight can attract them to the property. They will also be attracted by convenient spots to set up their dens, including accessible crawl spaces and openings under porches and sheds.

Humane Skunk Deterrence Methods 

Skunks have been subjected to some horrific treatment in the past, but these gentle animals really do play a beneficial role in the ecosystem. Using safe, humane skunk removal strategies can help you evict them without risking getting sprayed. Let’s explore some popular options to try. 

Natural Repellents and Their Applications 

Don’t try using mothballs or ammonia, which can kill baby skunks and potentially harm other wildlife. Some natural substances, however, can potentially help deter and repel them. Scattering citrus peels in the garden, for example, might help keep skunks away.  

Homemade Sprays and Solutions 

Two DIY solutions to try include a spicy mix and a castor oil-based solution. For the spicy repellent, boil water with jalapeno or other hot peppers, onion, and cayenne. Strain the mixture and put it in a spray bottle once it’s cool. Spray it around skunk-prone areas to deter them.  

Another option is a castor oil spray you can make by mixing one quart of water with two ounces of dish detergent and two ounces of castor oil. Spray it around the yard to repel skunks and other pests. 

Commercial Natural Repellents 

The Humane Society recommends skipping commercial skunk deterrents made from predator urine. For one thing, the manufacturing of these products may be carried out using inhumane methods. Additionally, strong products like capsaicin-based repellents may cause consequences for animals and humans who accidentally encounter them.

Physical Barriers to Prevent Skunk Entry 

Exclusion, which consists of using physical barriers to seal entry points, can be a powerful tool for preventing skunk infestations, especially for sheds, decks, and porches. This proactive approach can help protect your garden from foraging skunks and prevent skunks from denning on your property. 

Fencing Strategies 

Skunks are skilled at digging. For this reason, when you install fencing, you need to ensure that you bury it underground. Doing so will limit skunks’ ability to burrow under your fencing and set up their dens, despite your best efforts.  

Securing Potential Shelter Areas 

You can also close off potential denning sites by sealing them with a permanent, rigid barrier like USX Pest’s Rodent and Wildlife Exclusion Systems. Other ways to reduce skunks’ shelter sites include the following: 

• Eliminate debris and piles of wood or rocks 
• Cut back shrubbery and overgrown landscaping 
• Keep firewood stacked 18 inches or more above ground level  

Landscaping Changes to Discourage Skunks 

Taking a proactive approach to skunk prevention is always easier than looking for ways to get rid of them once they have moved in. Making some relatively simple changes can make your property less appealing and discourage skunks from skulking about.  

Garden Design to Deter Skunks 

Consider the design of your garden and landscape with skunks in mind. Making some relatively simple changes, such as installing motion-activated lights, can ward off these nocturnal critters. Similarly, they don’t like being sprayed with water, so motion-activated sprinklers could send them scurrying away. Other tips include: 

• Routinely trim trees and shrubs and keep lawns regularly mowed and cut short to eliminate hiding spots. 
• Eliminate standing water to avoid giving animals easy access to water, which can encourage them to stay. 
• Elevate bird feeders or eliminate them altogether to avoid providing skunks easy access to food. 

Proper Waste Management to Reduce Attraction 

Like so many pest prevention strategies, sanitation and waste management are essential for keeping skunks away. Steps to take include: 

• Keep trash secured in pest-proof receptacles. 
• Feed pets indoor at night and keep all food stored in sealed containers. 
• Secure compost in pest-proof containers. 
• Promptly pick up and remove fallen fruit and nuts. 
• Fence off gardens.  
• Manage grubs in the lawn and control rodents to eliminate attractive food sources. 

Preventing Future Skunk Infestations 

The key to preventing future skunk issues is to keep up with all the changes you put in place. Regular maintenance, including promptly fixing fencing and keeping landscaping neatly maintained, is essential. Monitor your property for signs of skunk activity, which could include the following: 

• Lingering odor 
• Holes in the lawn or flower beds 
• Evidence of chewed plants in the garden 
• Paw prints with five-toes 
• Sod that appears as though it has been rolled backward 
• Droppings that are shaped like a tube 

What to Do If You Get Sprayed 

If a skunk does spray you, your pets, or your property, you could start by grabbing the tomato juice from the refrigerator. A more effective remedy to neutralize the odor is a mixture of one teaspoon dishwashing liquid, 1/4 cup baking soda, and one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting the mixture in your eyes and discard any leftovers to avoid an accidental explosion. 

When to Call Professional Wildlife Control 

Regulations vary from state to state. Although trapping and removing skunks from property when they pose a danger or are damaging the property is permitted, some states require a permit to take action. Many states also dictate how the skunk is handled after trapping.  

For these reasons, if DIY methods aren’t working to deter skunks, or if you think they are denning with their young, it’s best to consult professionals for help. Trained, licensed technicians have the education and expertise to know how to handle various scenarios and can ensure the skunks are safely and humanely removed.  

Choosing the Right Wildlife Control Service 

Partnering with the right professionals ensures removal will be handled properly. It keeps you safe and free from worry about getting sprayed. It also ensures the situation is handled in accordance with all local laws and regulations. To find the wildlife control service that will be best for you, consider the following tips:  

• Ask for referrals and consult reviews. 
• Request an inspection (the best companies will provide it for free). 
• Inquire about how the situation will be handled and how they ensure removal is humane. 
• Look for a company that prioritizes your needs and offers ongoing support. 

USX Pest is devoted to providing safe, humane methods and exceptional customer experience. We tailor our approach and customize each treatment plan to address each property’s unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about our wildlife removal services or schedule a free inspection to get started.