Skunks love to burrow. However, the bigger problem when it comes to dealing with skunks is the infamous skunk spray, which is unmistakable and leaves a stench that is difficult to eliminate. If you are wondering about the best skunk removal methods, or how to get rid of skunks, then this article answers your questions. Some of the best remedies include using a skunk repellent, skunk baits, and skunk deterrent. Also, there are effective home remedies. Dive in for more.
The most Effective Methods for Getting Rid of Skunks in 2022
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Editor’s Picks |
Brand |
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Most Effective |
Bird-X Transonic Pro Electronic Pest Repeller |
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Runner Up |
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Cheapest |
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Natural |
No products found.
Most Effective: Bird-X Transonic Pro Electronic Pest Repeller
This repellent takes the top spot because it can be used on a variety of animals and birds. It can even be used as a coyote repellent. This product is waterproof, which is beneficial because it is durable even under the harshest weather conditions. Therefore, it can be utilized as a long-term solution to get rid of skunks. This invention works by emitting intense ultrasonic signals that scare skunks and other pests away. The product is human friendly because the signals do not affect humans, and it does not use any chemicals that may be harmful. Additionally, it comes with a sensor that can detect motion up to 26 feet, which is sufficient in places such as the garden. The item is small and portable, making it easy to carry and install whenever it may be needed.
Runner Up: 6 Tuff Trap - Spray Proof Skunk Trap
This trap is small, which is good because it prevents the skunk from raising its tail or turning around. If the skunk’s movements are limited. Skunk can’t spray you while in trap. Some traps do not have a cover. However, this one does, which makes it a practical solution for those wanting to trap a skunk. This trap resists rust and corrosion, making it long-lasting as a solution for your skunk problem. It also comes with lifetime warranty which make it even more attractive option.
Effective Addon to 6 Tuff Trap worth to mention is : Dunlap’s Skunk Lure.
This lure works to help you capture the skunk that has been roaming around your compound. This is a skunk bait that attracts these animals, so they come into the enclosure you want them to, especially cages and dog proof traps.
The product is food-based and can be used to lure these stubborn animals, no matter the setting. An added advantage to using this skunk bait it that it is less attractive to your domestic animals.
Best for budget: Hormaden Garden Cat Scat Mats
This product is a plastic spike solution that is designed to keep animals, such as cats, dogs, and even pests away. You can simply use them in the outdoors or indoors, depending on your needs. It comes in a set of six strips, and each is 19.25’ by 5.5’ and covers up to 9 feet of space. The mechanism by which it works is simple; when a skunk or any other animal comes across this mat, they will simply leave. While it is effective for skunks, customers report that it is not effective for raccoon pests.
Best Natural: Gabriel Organics Milky Spore Granular Grub Control
This product has been chosen as the best natural because it handles the problem of skunks from the root. These animals love to eat grubs and will burrow the soil once they notice the presence of grubs. However, tackling the grubs is a step towards stopping the invasion of skunks. This grub control measure can remain active on your soil for up to 20 years. However, it will need some effort from your side. You will need to apply the spore control three times a year, for two consecutive years. This application is best done during the fall and summer and using a drop spreader. One bag will cover up to 7000 square feet of yard. Note that you can use this product alongside other insecticides and solutions, and it is harmless to other animals around the home. Scientifically speaking, the grub control works by infecting the soil with bacillus papillae-a bacterium disease.
Effective home solutions include:
- Repelling skunks with predator urine
- Eliminate their food and shelter places
Do-It-Yourself Solutions and Traps
Predator Urine: Using predator urine to deter skunks from coming to your yard is effective. You can use the urine of pets such as dogs or other predators. If you cannot access the urine of your pets, try online stores.
Ensure that you reapply the urine every 24 hours for it to remain effective. Also, reapply after the rains as the water washes it away.
You will have to take extra precautions, such as installing a fence to keep the pests away wholly.
Ammonia: You can also use ammonia to repel skunks. These animals have a sensitive nose, and using mothballs and ammonia can be a temporary solution for keeping them away.
To do this, soak some rags in ammonia and place them at the perimeter of your yeard in buckets. You can also set the ammonia near the entrance of the skunk’s den.
Just like when using predator urine, you will have to reapply the solution after some days and after the rains that are likely to wash the ammonia away.
Eliminating Food and Shelter: What brings skunks to your yard is mainly the food and shelter. Therefore, to deter them from returning, you have to eliminate anything that makes them comfortable to be around the area.
A lot of skunk mounds signify the presence of grubs in the soil, which is good for the thriving skunks. If this is the case in your home, you could infuse nematodes into the soil.
Also, the odor from trash cans can attract skunks. Ensure that you secure the lids tightly to trash cans to prevent the odor from reaching skunks.
What Kind of Spray Will Help to Get Rid of Skunks?
The best kind of spray to use that will deter skunks from coming into your compound is the Van Den Heuvel’s R86. R86 is made with over 30 natural ingredients. It starts working almost immediately and most odors eliminated within 15 minutes. When used and reapplied after a few days, this spray will help you to get rid of skunks.
Rising: Lycoming Skunk Repellent Predator Light for Night Time Animals
We haven’t tested it yet, but it seems to be an interesting solution. It works by producing a constant red light that imitates the eyes of a predator and fire. When skunks come across this repellent, they will get scared and are likely not to go back to the area covered by the lights.
It features a power button at the back and can automatically turn itself on at night and off when the daylight breaks, creating convenience for you as you try to keep the skunks away. Also, the product is easy to use. Once mounted, you do not have to do much to maintain it. It is also weatherproof, meaning that you can comfortably use it despite extremely hot or cold conditions.
Interesting Facts About Skunks
- The gestation period for skunks is two months. They give birth to up to ten kits every year. The kits are born blind, and they are only able to open their eyes after approximately three weeks. They are weaned and leave the den at two months. By the time they are ten months to a year old, they are mature enough to have their kits
- They carry their spray material in the two anal glands. The liquid is enough to spray 5 to 8 times. Surprisingly, they do not spray at any slight provocation. They do it sparingly because it can take up to a week to reload the anal glands.
- While they spray a foul-smelling liquid, there is no damage the liquid does to the victims. Mainly they spray to keep away predators.
- Skunks are immune to snake venom.
- They come in different patterns; some have stripes, spots, and other swirling patterns. They are, however, all black and white, which help to identify them.
How to Prevent Skunks
Preventing skunks from coming to your yard is not rocket science. Below we outline some steps you can take to ensure they stay away:
- Store your pet’s food indoors and ensure that garbage cans are tightly sealed because the remains of food pull wandering animals, including skunks. If a skunk is scouring the area and it finds these remains, it could be the beginning of an infestation.
- Pick up the fruits that have fallen from the fruit trees, especially nuts and berries. Picking these fruits as soon as they ripen prevents skunks from coming around.
- Inspect your property and block the burrows and holes you find. Mostly, skunks do not make their shelter. They take advantage of already existing shelters.
- Seal all holes and entrances to potential skunk dens.
FAQ
Skunks have habitats around Canada, the US, Mexico, and South America. In these areas, they thrive on the edge of the forest, deserts, woodlands, and grasslands. They inhabit abandoned burrows, buildings, and in hollow logs and under large rocks. They also dig their burrows if they do not have any other shelter options in an area. They thrive in this broad range of habitats because they are adaptable as long as shelter and food are in the picture.
Skunks dine on grubs and insects. However, they are not carnivorous. Instead, they are omnivores that thrive on both animal and plant matter. Some of the top foods on the skunk’s list ate worms and grubs, bird eggs, beetles, grasshoppers, fruits, mushrooms, and small rodents.
Identifying skunks is easy. They are black and white, which is the first characteristic that you can use to identify them. However, they come in different patterns. They have striped, spotted, and swirled patterns.
Skunks like to dig holes for shelter, so seeing holes near your home and other structures may be a sign of a skunk nearby. Also, the unmistakable skunk smell will let you know that you have skunks around. Additionally, you can identify them with their feces which are almost half an inch wide and two inches long. If you ascertain that there are skunks around you, you will need to get rid of them.
Ridding, your furry friend of a skunk’s smell is relatively easy. You will need to mix apple cider vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:2. Use this mixture to wash your dog’s fur gently. Let the mixture rest on the fur for up to five minutes before you wash it off.
