How to Get Rid of a Family of Skunks

Skunks are not only a nuisance, but they can carry rabies and fleas that can affect humans and pets. If you have a family of skunks living in your yard, you must use prevention and removal tactics to get rid of the family and keep them away. Although it sounds easy, it does take time to get rid of skunks humanely so that skunks don't have any reason to visit your yard. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Mow lawns so that grass blades are no more than 2 inches tall. Shrubs and gardens should be weeded and cut down if overgrown. Skunks are known to choose daytime hiding areas where they are not seen by other wildlife and humans. A tidy yard is a deterrent for a family of skunks.

2

Lawns with grubs should be treated to kill the grub. Skunks will bring the entire family to feast upon the grubs just below the soil surface. If you notice 1/4-inch round holes being dug in your yard where you have brown or dying grass, check for grubs and treat as needed.

3

Place garbage in garbage receptacles with covers to prevent skunks from getting food. Purchase receptacles that are at least 4 to 5 feet high. If you take away the food source for skunks, they will need to move on and find other sources of food.

4

Move firewood away from the house and don't leave any gaps in between the stacks of wood. If the skunks can get in between the wood stacks, they can make a home. The best place for firewood is in a hard rubber shed or bin so that skunks cannot get at it.

5

Use rags soaked in ammonia to keep skunks from hiding under decks and in crawl spaces outdoors. Throw the soaked rag under the deck or in the crawl space to deter skunks, who will not go by the smell. Use plywood or any other wood to block entrances to garages and other outdoor structures where skunks can get into and live.

6

Keep pet food dishes indoors at night. This includes water dishes. Even if the dog food is in a kennel with the dog, the smell will attract the family of skunks.

7

Make compost piles in a compost bin that will keep the skunks out. Composts piles draw the skunks to the yard. The smell and the rotten food is what skunks are looking for at night. If you don't have a enclosed compost bin, remove the compost pile from the yard to keep skunks at bay.