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However, skunks (like bats, raccoons, and many other critters) are susceptible to rabies. Luckily, it’s at a much lower rate than the aforementioned species due to the way most critters will avoid attacking them. If it is only clothes that smell, put them directly into the bucket and soak them. Let the liquid sit for five minutes before rinsing with clean water.
Is a skunk invading your home? Here's what you should do - KREM.com
Is a skunk invading your home? Here's what you should do.
Posted: Thu, 15 Aug 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
How do you get rid of skunks?
Luckily, skunks are sensitive, timid critters that are relatively easy to fend off. Follow our DIY pest control methods and get rid of skunks for good. When using skunk repellent, there are a few strategies that will help to get the most out of the product’s effectiveness. First, users will want to be strategic about where they place it and identify how skunks are coming onto their property. They can then spray the area so the animals come into contact with the repellent. Since many skunk repellents must be reapplied fairly often, we mainly chose products that come in either spray bottles or shakers that can be applied with minimal preparation.
Maintain a Tidy Yard
They will also dig up gardens and make small, shallow, cone-shaped holes in lawns in their quest for food. Spray this solution on skunk-affected areas, or bathe your pet in it if your pet has been sprayed by a skunk. If skunk spray gets on clothes or fabrics, put them in the washing machine and use regular laundry detergent mixed with a half-cup of baking soda. Finally, make sure any trash cans have secure, tight-fitting lids to prevent skunks or other critters from knocking them over and getting inside. Putting the cans on a raised surface serves as an effective, cheap skunk deterrent.
The Best Skunk Repellents of 2023
“What's That Smell?” Skunk Sightings Rise on Campus, Physical Plant Denies Population Increase - Wesleyan Argus
“What's That Smell?” Skunk Sightings Rise on Campus, Physical Plant Denies Population Increase.
Posted: Tue, 15 Oct 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Another way to keep skunks off your property is a motion-activated security light. Skunks are nocturnal, and shun bright light, so an unexpected blast from a floodlight is likely to send them scampering. You can also try to eliminate habitats they find appealing by filling in holes and clearing away overgrown brush and woodpiles.
Common areas to treat include garbage cans, trees, and gardens, all of which commonly attract skunks. If necessary, create a perimeter around the property with a spray or granules to provide comprehensive protection. While it may be a hassle, remember to reapply liquid or granular repellents every few weeks or after it rains to keep skunks at bay. Deciding whether skunk repellents or skunk traps are a better option for one’s skunk problems depends on a few factors.
Can I use repellants?
Skunks love water, and can be bathed weekly in a natural product such as Mane & Tail to eliminate any musk smell, as long as you’re there to make sure there’s no risk of drowning. Native Americans have many legends about skunks, in which the skunk is usually portrayed as an antagonist whose once-deadly spray has been rendered harmless by the hero. Skunks are crepuscular (dusk and dawn) scavengers and usually spend days in the safety of their den. This den is sometimes located in thickets or other sheltered areas above ground during the summer. Throw together this quick recipe instead of taking a bath with tomato juice. This solution is the most effective one out there and gets rid of the odor quickly.
Get Rid of Skunks with Peppermint Oil
If you need to get rid of skunk smell in the house and it seems to linger, spritz this spray throughout. When you place the clothes in the washer, use cold water and let the clothes air dry. This natural laundry detergent works better than bleach to remove the strong skunk smell in clothing. Because skunks forage for food at night, most people do not have the time, or energy, to continuously monitor their lawn. A deck or porch is a commonplace that skunks hide under, so throw a few mothballs under your deck to scare them away. Another incredible home remedy to keep skunks away from the house is to set up chicken wire to block any openings to your deck.
Clean Up Your Yard
Allow the liquid to sit for five minutes before rinsing thoroughly with clean water. Repeat this cleaning process as often as necessary, and don’t forget to shower frequently until there is no more hint of odor. Always be extremely gentle if trapping skunks, and make sure to release them at least a few miles from your home to a safe spot where they won’t get hit by moving traffic. If you don’t have access to predator urine, mothballs are another musky product that works well. When an animal or other moving object walks in front of the lights, they instantly turn on and send the critters on their way.
Essential oils, cayenne pepper, and other common methods have little or no effect on a skunk. You can use a rag soaked in ammonia or predator urine crystals to chase a skunk from its den or parts of your yard temporarily, however. When everything is combined, spray the solution around the perimeter of your home, yard, and garden beds. This spray creates a powerful barrier and deters skunks from finding their way into your yard. It may also be effective for keeping squirrels out of flower beds where they like to dig.
Eliminating their food sources, applying strongly-scented repellents, and using home remedies like bright lights and barriers are practical and natural ways to discourage skunks. Understanding the different types of skunk repellents and how they work is crucial to choosing the right one. Ahead, learn how the best skunk deterrent products work and find out whether they’re more effective than traps. Our list of top picks narrows the field to some of the best skunk repellents on the market.
Before you call pest control to start the skunk removal process, ask yourself what keeps skunks away and how do I implement that information around my home? You’ll be surprised to see how easy it is to create a DIY skunk repellent that works. Homeowners should contact their state department of natural resources to find out about regulations where they live.
They’ll usually make their way to the nearest garbage or grub source and dig in. Even at night, they'll take the most concealed, sheltered path possible on their way to and from food. They also tend to take the same routes repeatedly, because they have bad eyesight. The skunk smell is incredibly difficult to get rid of, and can often be smelt a significant distance away. If you are sprayed by a skunk, wash your clothes as soon as possible with laundry detergent to replace the putrid smell. If you see a skunk in your yard, there is little cause for panic.
In this article, we’ll give you a list of all the ways you can get rid of skunks and prevent them from coming back. Persistent, faint musky smells under a building or woodpile may suggest that a skunk has taken up residence. You may find small, shallow holes in the lawn, similar to those made by squirrels, which are a result of a skunk foraging for grubs. Occasionally, you may even find plants knocked over or damage to the lower leaves or ears of ripening garden crops, including corn. You should look for these additional clues; foxes also have their own musky scent that may cause misidentification. These animals love to eat grubs, worms, and other insects that live in the soil, so they will rummage through the grass and dirt in your yard in search of a snack.
