Skunks are often a welcome sight in nature, playing a beneficial role in controlling pests like insects, rodents, and even snakes. However, when they decide to make your property their home, they can quickly become a problem. Known for their distinctive black-and-white fur and notorious spray, skunks can cause damage to your yard, garden, and even pose a risk to pets. Thankfully, there are humane and effective ways to deter these creatures from becoming permanent residents on your property.
Tips For Homeowners
Skunks typically seek shelter in quiet, undisturbed areas where they can find food, water, and a place to den. They’re often drawn to gardens, compost piles, or areas with pet food, as well as spaces with tall grass, woodpiles, or under-deck areas where they can create dens. Skunks are opportunistic feeders, and they’ll readily take advantage of any food sources they can find. If you're looking to deter skunks from your property, the following steps can be taken:
Eliminate Food Sources
The first step in deterring skunks from your property is to remove any easy food sources. Skunks are particularly attracted to pet food, birdseed, and compost. Be sure to secure trash cans with tight-fitting lids and store pet food indoors. If you have a compost pile, ensure it’s well-maintained, and avoid leaving food scraps out overnight. By eliminating food sources, you can reduce the likelihood of skunks being attracted to your yard in the first place.
Seal Entry Points to Dens
Skunks will often take shelter in secluded spots, such as under decks, sheds, and porches, where they can build nests for themselves and their young. If you notice signs of skunk activity around these areas, it’s important to seal off potential entry points. Check the perimeter of your home for gaps or holes, and repair or cover them with wire mesh or concrete. Be sure to leave at least a few inches between any seals and the structure to prevent trapping the skunks inside.
Use Natural Deterrents
There are several natural repellents that can make your property less appealing to skunks. Strong smells like garlic, hot pepper, or ammonia can deter skunks from hanging around. You can create a simple homemade repellent by mixing garlic powder and cayenne pepper in water and spraying it around areas where skunks are active. Commercial repellents that contain predator urine (such as coyote or fox urine) are also effective, as they make skunks feel threatened and discourage them from staying on your property.
Install Motion-Activated Lights and Sprinklers
Skunks are nocturnal creatures, so they’re typically active at night. Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can be a highly effective way to keep skunks away from your property. The sudden burst of light or water startles the skunks and disrupts their nocturnal routine, encouraging them to look for a more peaceful place to roam.
Keep Your Yard Clean and Tidy
Skunks love areas where they can hide and feel safe. By maintaining a clean and tidy yard, you can discourage them from taking up residence. Trim tall grasses, clear away brush piles, and remove fallen fruit or other debris that could attract skunks. Additionally, if you have any unused sheds or outdoor structures, ensure they are closed off to prevent skunks from moving in.
Consider Humane Trapping and Relocation
If skunks have already made themselves at home on your property, humane trapping and relocation may be necessary. However, it’s important to check with local wildlife authorities to ensure you’re following the proper regulations and guidelines when relocating animals. Skunks are known to carry diseases such as rabies, so it’s essential to exercise caution when handling or trapping them.
Need a Professional?
If skunks continue to be a problem on your property despite your best efforts, it may be time to call in the professionals. Skunk removal and exclusion can be tricky, especially if you’re dealing with a family of skunks or if they’ve created a den in a hard-to-reach area. Critter Control of Southern Wisconsin specializes in humane skunk removal and exclusion, ensuring that these critters are safely removed without causing harm to them or your property.