Wow -- it looks like no one is touching this question with a 10 foot pole (LOL). I wish I could offer you advice on skunks. I've had issues with animals (flying squirrels) getting into my attic. In the end, I called an expert in pest control to come seal my house and trap the animals. So you might want to call an expert. Otherwise, you need to figure out what is attracting them and get rid of that attractant (food, shelter, etc)
You might want to add some specifics with your question and describe what's going on with these skunks.
You would need to check on the laws that govern your area to find out what is allowed. The game commission could provide you with that information. Then it would depend on How Rid of Them you want it to be. Catch em' Live traps work but there is a price to pay for that. Skunks like chicken, mix it with Decon; but many would not approve.
They are most likely eating grubs in your yard. So do something to kill the food source. Do not leave any pet food out either. My animal services department would not do anything to rid me of even a trapped skunk. Have-A-Hearts traps are good to catch them in, they like marshmallows, apples, canned fishy meats. If you trap one you cover the trap with a sheet, towel or what ever you have on hand. They should not spray if they do not see anything that sets them off. Don't know where you are, but there are laws about transporting wild animals. There are generally licensed professionals that will deal with them as well. Good luck!
I got rid of a skunk under my house in the crawl space by using moth balls. LOTS of moth balls! I was good and mad by the time I did this! I could not find anyone willing to rid the house of this thing so I bought ten boxes of them, opened each box and pitched the contents under the house. Then covered the opening (for about the 30th time). The opening was never dug out again. I traded one smell for another for awhile but it evidently worked.
Question for Stegman or anyone who may know? I'm having an issue (squirrel or racoon??) up in my "Overhang or Eaves" (I hope & not in my attic!!). I can see the corner opening where my ridges meet...do you suppose what you did may work for this issue as well?
Get rid of their food source: grubs, small rodents etc., and they will leave. Beneficial nematodes help to get rid of grubs. You apply them in the spring and fall. It is not an overnight solution though.
Gladys, if there is an opening to a space I know squirrels can get in. They also chew holes in things. I'd try the mothball thing. I put them in the barn when I find packrat nests. And they seem to vacate! It's an offensive smell and stays til the mothballs dissolve. It's cheap and if it doesn't work you're not out much. I'd check your attic for squirrels too! They are destructive.
And if you have problems with your dogs getting sprayed by skunks, Dr. Bonners Pepperment Soap works great!! And it doesn't hurt their eyes. Health food stores carry it if you can't find it in your grocery store.
and lady said she went with ammonia. she bought tiny glass jars on amazon (like what they use for jelly samples). used a nail to make holes in the cover, tucked a piece of old towel in the jar and filled with the ammonia. tucked them everywhere! Under the shed, deck and around the inside of the cellar. got ones with a gold color lid so they are easy to spot so we can refill as needed. they have cats and wild bunnies in the yard and didn't want them to ingest the ammonia so the jars worked great. The skunks moved out and so did the mice
Spray a mixture of castor oil and dish-washing detergent diluted in water. Skunks find the smell offensive. Spray the area at night when the skunk is away foraging.
Probably the best skunk repellent is a light. Skunks are nocturnal and their eyes are very light sensitive. A bright light or a motion sensor flood light will scare skunks away.
Most animals, including skunks, dislike the smell of citrus fruits. Place orange or lemon peels around the yard as a natural skunk repellent.
Predator urine (dogs, coyotes) can be used to repel a skunk. These are commercially sold in garden centers. (Note: Use a responsible source for predator urine to make sure that the animals are treated humanely and the brand complies with state and federal regulations.)
Many readers have found success placing ammonia-soaked rags around the yard, however, these need to be replaced often.
If the skunks are in a smaller garden patch, put bars of strong–smelling soap or a room deodorizer near your garden. Ironically, skunks hate strong scents.
If nothing works, there are humane ways for professionals to trap raccoons and skunks and transport them elsewhere. Often, skunk removal by trapping is the only answer, and there just isn’t a lot you can do if it is a skunk. However, be aware that many species of wildlife do not survive when placed in a new territory, and it may not even be legal to trap and relocate wild animals in your area.
You would want to get rid of their food source, which is grubs and insect larvae. To do that you need to treat your yard with Grub control. Here is a list of the top 10:
We had skunks under the back porch, my husband live trapped the whole family and moved them about 2 miles away. Then we threw lots off of moth balls (skunks and Civit cats) hate moth balls. And we put wire mesh over all the under house openings.
If a skunk is feeding in your vegetable garden, spray a commercially available pepper-based repellent, or one that you've prepared yourself.
If necessary, put a metal fence around your garden.
To repel them from the yard
Citrus, ammonia, mothballs and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc) are three smells that can scare off skunks. If you use mothballs or ammonia-soaked cotton balls, be sure to keep them far away from children.
Citrus, ammonia, mothballs and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc) are three smells that can scare off skunks. If you use mothballs or ammonia-soaked cotton balls, be sure to keep them far away from children.
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Wow -- it looks like no one is touching this question with a 10 foot pole (LOL). I wish I could offer you advice on skunks. I've had issues with animals (flying squirrels) getting into my attic. In the end, I called an expert in pest control to come seal my house and trap the animals. So you might want to call an expert. Otherwise, you need to figure out what is attracting them and get rid of that attractant (food, shelter, etc)
You might want to add some specifics with your question and describe what's going on with these skunks.
You would need to check on the laws that govern your area to find out what is allowed. The game commission could provide you with that information. Then it would depend on How Rid of Them you want it to be. Catch em' Live traps work but there is a price to pay for that
. Skunks like chicken, mix it with Decon; but many would not approve.
Divorce them!
They are most likely eating grubs in your yard. So do something to kill the food source. Do not leave any pet food out either. My animal services department would not do anything to rid me of even a trapped skunk. Have-A-Hearts traps are good to catch them in, they like marshmallows, apples, canned fishy meats. If you trap one you cover the trap with a sheet, towel or what ever you have on hand. They should not spray if they do not see anything that sets them off. Don't know where you are, but there are laws about transporting wild animals. There are generally licensed professionals that will deal with them as well. Good luck!
I got rid of a skunk under my house in the crawl space by using moth balls. LOTS of moth balls! I was good and mad by the time I did this! I could not find anyone willing to rid the house of this thing so I bought ten boxes of them, opened each box and pitched the contents under the house. Then covered the opening (for about the 30th time). The opening was never dug out again. I traded one smell for another for awhile but it evidently worked.
Get rid of their food source: grubs, small rodents etc., and they will leave. Beneficial nematodes help to get rid of grubs. You apply them in the spring and fall. It is not an overnight solution though.
Gladys, if there is an opening to a space I know squirrels can get in. They also chew holes in things. I'd try the mothball thing. I put them in the barn when I find packrat nests. And they seem to vacate! It's an offensive smell and stays til the mothballs dissolve. It's cheap and if it doesn't work you're not out much. I'd check your attic for squirrels too! They are destructive.
Opossums get into eaves also. I like the moth ball idea because they have them at Dollar Tree!
And if you have problems with your dogs getting sprayed by skunks, Dr. Bonners Pepperment Soap works great!! And it doesn't hurt their eyes. Health food stores carry it if you can't find it in your grocery store.
and lady said she went with ammonia. she bought tiny glass jars on amazon (like what they use for jelly samples). used a nail to make holes in the cover, tucked a piece of old towel in the jar and filled with the ammonia. tucked them everywhere! Under the shed, deck and around the inside of the cellar. got ones with a gold color lid so they are easy to spot so we can refill as needed. they have cats and wild bunnies in the yard and didn't want them to ingest the ammonia so the jars worked great. The skunks moved out and so did the mice
Not the answer you were hoping for, but i would move away to maybe another State!
How to Keep Skunks Away
You would want to get rid of their food source, which is grubs and insect larvae. To do that you need to treat your yard with Grub control. Here is a list of the top 10:
https://buyersguide.org/grub-control/t/best?Country=US&msclkid=548ba01c630c1a34fb18c47924182cc0&m=e&d=c&c=74079901949448&oid=kwd-74079924058683:loc-190&qs=grub%20control&lp=52042&li=&nw=o&nts=1&tdid=10861146
We had skunks under the back porch, my husband live trapped the whole family and moved them about 2 miles away. Then we threw lots off of moth balls (skunks and Civit cats) hate moth balls. And we put wire mesh over all the under house openings.
Hi Kado, hope this helps you out.
For the garden
To repel them from the yard
Citrus, ammonia, mothballs and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc) are three smells that can scare off skunks. If you use mothballs or ammonia-soaked cotton balls, be sure to keep them far away from children.
Citrus, ammonia, mothballs and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc) are three smells that can scare off skunks. If you use mothballs or ammonia-soaked cotton balls, be sure to keep them far away from children.