Many find skunks to be cute with their very fluffy tails and distinctive black and white stripes. However, for the typical homeowners they are often considered to be a menace with the pungent odor that they emit when they feel threatened. See info about skunks on this site here.
Autumn season is the time when they are most active, and they tend to dig up holes in yards to serve as their dens for the cold winter season. They are also harmless, but their presence literally stinks. One way to determine if they are present in your property is through their funky smell and they can give an unsightly appearance in your garden if left alone. Fortunately, there are humane ways to prevent them from entering your yard, and below are some helpful tips.
What Should You Do?
Remove all food sources and stop feeding them once and for all. Trash cans should have tight lids and you also need to place a heavy stone on top to avoid skunks from overturning them. This is important especially if the local rubbish removalist is not yet available to pick-up the garbage.
These animals are opportunistic feeders and will rummage through a lot of debris, so consider using bungee cords to keep the cans securely fastened. Store bins in a garage if possible before a set date so they don’t attract vermin that you can see info in this link: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/vermin.
They might want to access your vegetables and other crops and know that they are not fond of meat. Instead, they prefer crunchy carrots, apples, and berries so they can add a sweet touch to their diet. A penchant for the birds’ eggs due to their protein content is also expected as they are omnivores.
Composting can be fine as long as you keep the container secure. Mask the odors by another layer of soil and as much as possible, avoid fish, meat, dairy, and other food that’s rich in proteins because they can attract a lot of wildlife. Turn over the mulch to avoid the growth of larvae and make sure that you’re using them properly as fertilizer because their smell will definitely bring in some visitors.
Eliminate Water Sources and Deny Shelter
Remove or secure any standing water, such as bird baths, pet bowls, or leaky hoses. If you have a pond, consider installing a motion-activated sprinkler system to deter wildlife animals. Don’t make this accessible to them so you can also avoid other vermin.
Skunks seek shelter in dark, quiet places such as under decks, sheds, and porches, so inspect your property for potential entry points and seal them with materials like hardware cloth, wire mesh, or wood. The best measurements should be at least a foot underground for the barriers, so they won’t be busy digging underneath these fences.
Any debris and piles of wood can be potential hiding spots so clean them regularly. Stack them and elevate them off the ground as much as possible so they won’t be used as nests. Close off these areas with secure barriers, regularly check for signs of activity, and make sure that they vacate the place first before you seal your property.
Feed your dog or cat indoors as much as possible, and if this is not the case, the food should be consumed at one time and removed from the backyard before nightfall. Any uneaten meal should be removed immediately, and make sure to store them in sealed containers afterward. Don’t attempt to use poisoned food for bait because this can be pretty harmful to them.
Natural and Chemical Deterrents
Skunks are nocturnal and prefer dark, quiet environments, so motion-activated lights and sprinklers can startle and deter them from entering your yard. Place them at the back where the forests and the wooded areas are.
Commercial repellents are available in granular or liquid form, and these products often contain ingredients that mimic predator scents or emit strong odors that skunks find unpleasant. Apply them around the perimeter of your yard, garden beds, and potential den sites, so they can deter wildlife.
Some homeowners have success using homemade deterrents, and a mixture of water and citrus, ammonia-soaked rags, or peels can be spread around the yard to repel them. Renew them regularly, especially after rain, and add mothballs.
If you’re unsure of what to do, fortunately, you can rely on companies that offer pest control. An example is Hadlow Pest Services, which offers a more comprehensive solution for your needs. They are certified experts who can help with pest control and wildlife removal, and they can do this to prevent the deadly rabies virus from spreading. Get information about them and see their location from the following:
Contact a professional wildlife removal service if you are unsure how to proceed, and make sure that they are licensed. Try the phone book or a local company from a search engine if you think that you’re too skittish to handle these persistent unwelcome visitors. Get live traps as much as possible and use a large one and place them near possible burrows.
Avoid a lot of issues and don’t get bitten by them when you have the pros who can help you with their capture. They are also going to place other solutions in the home so calling them will translate into a long-term solution. They are a single call away and their recommendations are very effective and efficient.
Also, if you decide to do everything yourself, follow the manufacturers’ instructions and set them up at night when the animals are most active. Also, check them frequently and don’t leave these sensitive animals for an extended period trapped in a cage. Contact an animal welfare personnel and don’t startle it. Gently cover the trap with a blanket and make sure that they go to a suitable site that’s in accordance with the wildlife regulations.
