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marcincon

how to get rid of a skunk

marcincon
16 years ago

We have a cedar shed built and rested on cement slats so it doesn't sit on the ground and rot underneath. Apparently animals get underneath and we deaL with it but this time we smell a skunk and believe it's made a home. How can we get rid of it? We have no access to get underneath. Are there traps to put outside of the shed? Or is there a better way of disposing them? Thanks in advance.

Comments (12)

  • dougt
    16 years ago

    That is a good question. You can use a cage trap with raw eggs as bait. But once they are in there how do you transport the critter without getting sprayed. I trapped a couple of skunks in Vermont using the bad clamp style traps many years ago to find out what was stealing my Uncle's duck eggs. I just put a raw duck egg on the ground and surrounded it with the clamps. I shot them when I found them caught in the traps the following morning. The smell was very potent and it actually hurt my nose just to breath it in. You know that fox urine smells like skunk also, so you need to look at the tracks to be sure with what your dealing with. May want to see if there is a professional trapper in your area who can take care of the problem.

  • lagrangeny
    16 years ago

    My good Gardenweb friends in California are also having animal problems; but they have RACCOON problems. They are very similiar to Skunks. Very crafty and sneaky. Told them that they simply gotta shoot the Raccoons. Rabbits, Groundhogs, & Skunks are all wily rascals. The best way to 'get them' is to get about 6 or 7 tomatoes and put alot of sugar on them; and put them about 15 feet from their favorite hole or entranceway to your shed. The skunks will almost immediately be attracted to the feast; then you can shoot them all. You must shoot them quickly - before they see you hiding. If there are zoning regulations against shooting in your locale - shoot them at night when the neighbors are asleep. Most will not 'get up to see what was shot' if the next day is a workday.
    I have a shed that has animal issues also. If you have skunks living under your shed,and you can't shoot them quickly; you and a few of your friends should spook them out and quickly hammer up some lattice all around the shed so they won't come back; you and some of your friends could often take a peek through the lattice to see if those annoying animals have burrowed under the latticework and might be back under the shed. May NOT want to shoot them while they are under the shed; they may be stuck too far under the shed or too heavy to pull out quickly; and if you couldn't pull them out in a reasonable time the smell would be quite powerful and could ruin your summer outdoors.
    Raccoons and skunks too will haunt you and your friends for a long, long time, if you dont catch them quickly. The will breed and multiply very, very quickly. They will live under that shed of yours forever and have tons of baby skunks very soon. Skunk families like to live with other skunk families; so there's a pretty good chance they'll attract more skunk families to your house. Good luck with catching these varmits before the control your entire yard year after year!

  • marcincon
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Very interesting postings, thanks for the advice. Found another advice which is cruel too (sorry animal activists) Use cement powder mixed in with food.... think about it... cement mixed with water is not a pretty sight. It's a matter of disposing it afterwards. We'll work on this issue.

  • ladyevil2172
    16 years ago

    I know a few people that have trapped skunks and they walk up with a heavy tarp spread out so they don't get sprayed.

    ~Donna~

  • lagrangeny
    16 years ago

    then what ???

  • squonnk
    16 years ago

    lagrangeny
    I am intrigued by your ideas and wish to subscribe to your news letter. I also have a few questions. I have three crows that eat my nectarines. Should I too considering discharging fire arms within city limits?
    Keep in mind, I have three crows but only one bullet and I'm on a budget. Should I use my one bullet to hold up a liquor store so I can afford more bullets?

  • ladyevil2172
    16 years ago

    There is obviously a special problem when trapping skunks.
    Skunks don't like to spray if they can't see their target.

    It is best to wrap such traps with canvas or burlap before they are set.
    Traps should baited with with fish (canned or fresh), fish-flavored cat food, chicken parts, bacon, or peanut butter on bread.

    The trap should be set in the trail immediately in front of the burrow's main entrance.

    Logs, twigs, boards, or stones placed on either side of a path between the burrow opening and the trap will aid in funnelling the animal toward the trap.

    The trap should be checked in the morning and early evening.

    Slowly approach the trapped skunk and cover the trap with an old blanket/ piece of thick burlap/heavy plastic tarp, if not already set.

    The covered trap will be less fearful for the skunk and it will less likely discharge it's scent.

    Carefully pick up the covered trap and place it gently in the back of a pickup truck for transporting elsewhere. Striped skunks seldom release scent when these precautions are taken.

    To release a trapped skunk, stand more than 20 feet away and release the trap door using a string or fishing line.

  • lagrangeny
    16 years ago

    I am intrigued by your ideas and wish to subscribe to your news letter. I also have a few questions. I have three crows that eat my nectarines. Should I too considering discharging fire arms within city limits?
    ====================================================
    >>>>> That's tricky. With nectarines growing in trees - that would certainly be a problem for your nearby apartment friends and neighbors. Shooting at the crows (and missing them)could very well be a fast road to some pretty bad trouble. Please do not shoot wildly into the air. If they are eating the fruit off the ground at night - then you can get some good shots in (without worrying the neighbors)
    =============================================

    Keep in mind, I have three crows but only one bullet and I'm on a budget.

    =========================================
    >>>>>> I do think you DO have additional bullets; they are not expensive as you well know.
    ========================================

    Should I use my one bullet to hold up a liquor store so I can afford more bullets?

    =================================

    >>>>> That's a bit extreme....and probably just a silly line that you made up. No one would do something as foolish as that. Bullets are inexpensive and reasonably available.
    Bird problems are definitely more difficult to solve than ground animals for this distinct and clear reason of neighborhood safety.
    Strong netting would likely be your best alternative to protect your fruit trees from the annoying birds (Crows, Blue Jays, Starlings.....). The nets will allow rain & sunshine in to help the fruit develop and ripen; while offering an obstacle that most birds will avoid after a few tries.
    Hoping you have a healthy harvest ! Best of Luck !

  • silverlaker
    16 years ago

    I successfully used mothballs - but they are environmentally bad so you should put them on a plate or jar lid and make sure to dispise of them when they are done.....but I have several times over the years had skunks and/or raccoons either under the house (a hole under a bay door that I did not know allowed accesss) or under my hot tub (they dig their way there) but the mothballs did the trick every time. I would not put them under the house again though as the smell came through the floorboards and because it is somewhat toxic I had to air the house out over a couple cold wintery days. Skunks do not live for long in one place anyway so they will eventually move on with no prodding.

  • whiteflag
    16 years ago

    Call your local fish and wild life office they will handle the problem properly.

  • Kimmsr
    16 years ago

    The active ingrediant in moth balls, napthalene, is a class 1 carcinogen. The EPA restricts the use of moth balls to only certain circumstances and it is a violation of federal law to use this product in any manner not specifically listed in the directions for use on the box. Now where on that box have I ever seen anything permitting this product to be used in the manner suggested here.
    Anytime you use any product like moth balls follow the package directions to the letter, for your safety.

  • dseerveld
    16 years ago

    It's easy to trap skunks with a large Havahart (or other brand) cage trap. Bait it with marshmallows or dry cat food, or both. Skunks rarely spray, but simply approach the trapped skunk with a towel and drape it over the cage, and this will calm the animal and prevent it from seeing where to spray.

    Here is a link that might be useful: How to Get Rid of Skunks

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