How to Deal With a Skunk

Skunks are a direct relative of the weasel and are nocturnal, so they are rarely seen during the day unless foraging for food. Skunks are omnivorous, so the eat just about everything, but subsist on a diet of bugs, worms and grubs dug out of the ground using their strong front claws. When their normal food supply is low, skunks will seek out other food sources, which often bring them into contact with humans and pets. Limiting their access to food is one way to properly deal with skunks.

Mesh or chicken wire fencing material
Pesticides
Motion-sensing devices
Skunk repellents
Live trap baited with food (optional)
Hydrogen peroxide
Baking soda
Liquid dish soap

Instructions

- 1
  Remove or protect items that may attract skunks to your yard or property, such as garbage in uncovered containers, pet food bowls and unprotected vegetable gardens. Cover your garbage and place it behind a secure area. Feed your pets inside or in an area that only they can access. Place mesh or chicken-wire fencing around your plants.
- 2
  Secure openings under fences and other structures with wire mesh to prevent future access by skunks.
- 3
  Spray your lawn and garden area with plant-safe pesticides to eliminate bugs and grubs that the skunks may be searching for as a food source.
- 4
  Add motion-sensing lights or sprinklers to your grounds to help scare the skunks away.
- 5
  Spray the areas where the skunks are frequenting with environmentally safe repellent or with ammonia. For example, soak old rags in ammonia and place them in bowls, also filled with ammonia, strategically located around your home and property.
- 6
  Use a live trap baited with food to catch the skunk for removal or if it shows possible illness. Contact your local university extension office or department of natural resources for trap recommendations in your area or for assistance in removing the skunks.

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