Problem with skunks around our house

[RBSinTo]

Sometime during this summer, a Skunk moved into our neighbourhood close to our home. I spotted him in our yard only once, probably eating fallen apples from our neighbours tree, but on many nights the area is permeated with his/her scent, which even makes its way into our homes. Our cats are never allowed outside, but from time to time we look after our childrens' dogs, and I fear a confrontation that comes to a bad end if they ever meet in the yard.
Wondering if anyone here knows of any effective tips or tricks to get the little bugger to pack his/her bags and move elsewhere.
When making suggestions, please keep in mind that I love animals, do not own firearms, and cannot easily source landmines or missile-firing drones.
Please and thank you.
RBSinTo

 

[Brad Little]

Easiest solution, skunks are nocturnal, keep the dogs in after dark.

 

[richardp69]

There are usually pest trap/control businesses that will live trap and remove problem animals. Will cost a few bucks but may be worth it.

 

[SFIV1967]

Skunk Control - Bird-X

Remove skunks permanently and effectively with electronic, exclusion, and sensory skunk repellents.

bird-x.com

Skunks

Tips for identifying, controlling, and getting rid of skunks in the garden, as well as advice for skunk spray and skunk removal, from The Old Farmer's Almanac.

www.almanac.com

 

[Opsimath]

I fear I have no suggestions. We had one at the barn a couple of years ago, it's telltale presence lingering in the air. I was concerned about an encounter by something on four legs, or even two. It was there a few months and one day I noticed I didn't smell it anymore. Maybe the one in your yard will go away on its own?

One thing I have read about nuisance animals taking up residence is that if you can remove their food source they have no reason to stay and will move on.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Curlington]

I've heard of skunks eating at rubber hoses and such under vehicles parked at trailheads in Pennsylvania, damaging or disabling them. The widely discussed solution is to scatter a few mothballs under the car as you embark on your backpacking trip. I've done this, and I've put them in perforated tupperware under woodpiles at home. I can't prove it works but my hunch is it does. YMMV

 

[Teleguy61]

And if an unfortunate encounter takes place between canine and Pepe-le-Pew, this stuff works.
You can guess how I know...

Skunk Odor Remover for Dogs | Nature's Miracle

Nature's Miracle Skunk Odor Remover with nature's Bio-Enzymatic Formula completely eliminates skunk odors. The fast acting formula breaks down the oils sprayed by the skunks to permanently remove all traces of odor upon application.

www.naturesmiracle.com

 

[James Hart]

if it is a small enough yard / area, you an try predator urine... also soak some small rags in Ammonia to place around the place. I use the ammonia trick for keeping the Black Bears out of the garbage bins.

 

[RBSinTo]

if it is a small enough yard / area, you an try predator urine... also soak some small rags in Ammonia to place around the place. I use the ammonia trick for keeping the Black Bears out of the garbage bins.

James,
Do I count as a predator?
RBSinTo

 

[James Hart]

James,
Do I count as a predator?
RBSinTo

I don't know you well enough to guess

They sell the stuff on Amazon or your favorite hunting/fishing supply. Mountain Lion, Coyote, Wolf, Fox, etc. Ammonia is the cheaper and less gross option

 

[RBSinTo]

I don't know you well enough to guess

They sell the stuff on Amazon or your favorite hunting/fishing supply. Mountain Lion, Coyote, Wolf, Fox, etc. Ammonia is the cheaper and less gross option

I only asked because at 75, I get up a bunch of times through the night to pee, and figured I might as well use it to get rid of our little striped interloper.
RBSinTo

 

[James Hart]

I only asked because at 75, I get up a bunch of times through the night to pee, and figured I might as well use it to get rid of our little striped interloper.
RBSinTo

I feel for you! at 55, I get occasional nights in a row that I am up a few times... LUCKILY the last few nights I have passed out at 11pm and not gotten up until my alarm at 6:30.

Google tells me (now that I'm thinking about it0... "Human urine may deter skunks. Skunks have few predators, including coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and cougars. Fox and dog urine can deter skunks because they are natural predators."

 

[Opsimath]

if it is a small enough yard / area, you an try predator urine... also soak some small rags in Ammonia to place around the place. I use the ammonia trick for keeping the Black Bears out of the garbage bins.

Bears?!

 

[James Hart]

Indeed! We have an active population of Back Bear in my area and I have a female that frequents the property. She brought around a pair of cubs this past summer... playing in the woods out back. Easter morning 2021 at 4:30am she was on my front porch and you could hear the thunk as she hit my front door with her snout while turning around. If I can find the video on my other computer, I'll share it.

 

[Cougar]

The widely discussed solution is to scatter a few mothballs under the car as you embark on your backpacking trip.

Yep, mothballs. My brother had a skunk set up house in the crawl space under his house. Nothing was working until he tossed a bunch of moth balls under there. It worked.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Yep, mothballs. My brother had a skunk set up house in the crawl space under his house. Nothing was working until he tossed a bunch of moth balls under there. It worked.

Just be careful - mothballs are toxic, but can be effective.

I'd vote for nightly territory marking.

 

[RBSinTo]

Just be careful - mothballs are toxic, but can be effective.

I'd vote for nightly territory marking.

gjmalcyon,
Ok. I'll try the nightly territory marking, but if a neighbour complains and I get arrested for indecent exposure, I'll say you put me up to it.
RBSinTo

 

[Rocky]

I feel for you! at 55, I get occasional nights in a row that I am up a few times... LUCKILY the last few nights I have passed out at 11pm and not gotten up until my alarm at 6:30.

Google tells me (now that I'm thinking about it0... "Human urine may deter skunks. Skunks have few predators, including coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and cougars. Fox and dog urine can deter skunks because they are natural predators."

Bookmark this, in case you need to explain to the police.

And this


Yep, remove food sources, and find things to get him/her to relocate

 

[Minnesota Flats]

"Human urine may deter skunks.

Pee on dat skunk, brah!

 

[Stuball48]

gjmalcyon,
Ok. I'll try the nightly territory marking, but if a neighbour complains and I get arrested for indecent exposure, I'll say you put me up to it.
RBSinTo

As I head fishing, I couldn't help but think, "has RBSinTo been to the local police station for questioning after properly marking his skunk invaded property?" An answer means he wasn't detained. I wish him well in this endeavor.