How to Get Rid of Skunks in Your Yard: 5 Effective Tips!

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If skunks are continuously on your property, they can destroy your garden and may carry diseases that can spread to your family. So, it’s important to know how to get rid of skunks in your yard!

Skunks are a nuisance for many people. They often come into yards and eat fruits, vegetables, insects, and other small animals. And we all dread an unpleasant skunk encounter!

In addition to eating these things, they also leave behind their scent in the form of droppings or spraying urine near your home. And this, of course, can be really unsavory.

If you have skunks that are coming over to your yard often, how do you get rid of them? In this post, we will discuss 5 tips on how to successfully get rid of skunks in your yard so that they never come back again!

About Skunks

Thanks to Hollywood films & cartoons, now we quickly assume that the presence of skunks in our backyard is just as bad as their smell. But skunks aren’t all bad.

Skunks can provide a few benefits to the areas they inhabit, such as preying on rodents and munching on grubs that wreak havoc on your lawn.

However, the drawbacks can cause trouble for people who have a backyard and count on their home-grown fruits and veggies.

Skunks dig up backyards when they are scavenging for food and often spray to mark their territory.

The skunk spray produces a foul odor that can cause intense discomfort.

So how do I know if I have skunk problem? A few tell-tale signs include open trash cans, skunk feces and of course skunk odor.

Fortunately, it can be relatively easy to get rid of a skunk. So, if you suspect that a group of skunks has taken up residence nearby, use these removal strategies below.

How to Get Rid of Skunks in Your Yard

1) Use Skunk Repellents

To keep those stinkers away, you can use a skunk repellent.

Skunks have a great sense of smell, which is how they discover their favorite properties.

When you use a repellent like peppermint oil, skunks turn up their noses in disgust and go somewhere else.

The good news is that most skunk repellents are based on natural oil ingredients (natural skunk repellent). This means they are safe around pets and children and can be used indoors and outdoors.

Some top-rated skunk repellents on the market are the Essentially KateS Peppermint Essential Oil and Natural Armor Animal Repellent Spray. Both of these repellents deter skunks away from your yard.

They are also great against raccoons, rats, and chipmunks.

Bear in mind that repellents aren’t usually made specifically for skunks. For that reason, you’ll have to see which repellent is more effective at deterring skunks from nesting in your area.

It may take some trial and error to see what repellent is most effective at helping you get rid of the skunks in your yard.

If you want a more natural approach, skunks hate the smell of citrus fruits, so you can try leaving some of that around your garden.

2) Install a Metal Fence

Invest in a metal fence to protect your backyard. Keeping skunks out of yard completely is certainly the best skunk deterrent.

If you have no luck with repellents, install a metal fence, as most skunks aren’t great climbers.

Even a relatively short metal fence will keep skunks out of your backyard. In fact, a 3-foot fence will offer more than enough protection. You can also use posts with chicken wire.

These wild animals wouldn’t hop over the fence because they aren’t great jumpers either.

Most skunks have long claws that can dig into wood, wire, and mesh, but a full metal fence provides a much more challenging obstacle.

However, skunks are excellent diggers. So, if you install a fence, make sure it goes at least one foot deep.

You can start by digging a one-foot-deep trench to set the base of the metal fence.

Don’t forget to check local zoning laws also, which may regulate the size and depth of the fence.

3) Use Motion Sensor Lights

These lights not only protect you from the skunks but can also protect against home intruders. They add a sense of security to any property and have many advantages.

Motion sensor lights emit a bright light instantly as they notice some motion and will scare skunks.

Skunks are nocturnal animals and are very sensitive to light. Therefore, having bright outdoor motion sensor lights will frighten lurking skunks and cause them to scurry off.

Mr. Beams Outdoor Motion Sensor Lights and The Amico Store’s LED Lights are the best for the backyard.

They will cost anywhere between $20-$50, which is a good value in your effort to get rid of the skunks in your yard.

4) Tidy Up

One of the easiest things you can do is just tidy up your backyard.

Skunks are usually in your backyard looking for food, so there are a few measures you can take to make your backyard less skunk-friendly.

• Make sure trash is sealed in its bin. Remember skunks are mostly using scent to track down their food.
• Keep all pet food locked away or in the garage.
• Feed your pets inside. Skunks love cat food and dog food.
• Get rid of other insects and rodents. Skunks will naturally go elsewhere if they can’t find food for themselves.
• Remove old stockpiles and debris. This will give the skunks fewer places to hide.
• Fence off your garden area. If it’s hard to get to their food, they’ll likely try elsewhere.
• Put bird feeders away. Skunks enjoy bird seed and will keep coming back for a treat if it’s out.

Skunks will probably make their way into your backyard no matter what, but by cleaning and tidying up, you can make it less desirable for them to stay.

5) Call a Professional in Animal Control

There’s no shame in calling for help. If you’ve given it your best effort and have had no results, call a professional animal control service.

Remember, we don’t want to hurt or kill skunks, but we don’t want them in our space. There are many professional skunk removal teams and services in every state that are highly trained in their work.

Pest removal services or wildlife control services are also trained for this type of work and understand how to get rid of skunks in your yard. They are educated and have all the right equipment that assists them in banishing skunks from backyards.

You can contact them if you wish to have expert assistance and don’t want to deal with the skunks on your own.

If you want them to install a metal fence or motion sensor outdoor light, it is imperative to tell them before they come so that they can plan their visit accordingly.

Always ensure that the team you are hiring has years of experience in this field. Before hiring, do some research to make sure you’re getting a good value.

Check their reviews, understand the type of services they provide, and determine what kind of technology they are using and compare it to others. 

Conclusion – How to Get Rid of Skunks in Your Yard

Occasional skunk sightings in the backyard aren’t the cause of alarm. They are usually easy-going, and they don’t intentionally bother people.

Sometimes, people misidentify the skunk smell and assume a skunk group frequently visits their property. However, foxes also have a musky scent and tend to dig up lawns just like skunks.

Before using the above strategies, look for the actual signs, and ensure you are dealing with skunks and not some other animals.

Getting rid of skunks can be tricky for some homeowners, so don’t be discouraged. Use all the mentioned methods to help get rid of those unwanted critters.

Other skunk deterrents include options like using predator urine, skunk poison, or a skunk trap. If all else fails be sure to call your local animal control professional to help solve the problem.

Give all of these methods a try and if all else fails, call in some professional pest control help.

Check out our other articles on how to get rid of mosquitoes and how to get rid of flies if you’re trying to get your yard pest-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do skunks eat?

Skunks can be quite picky with their food sources. In most instances, skunks will eat smaller animals and insects such as spiders, roaches, scorpions, and snakes.

However, there are instances where skunks tend to consume smaller rodents, such as mice.

Many skunks will also enjoy some of the fruits and vegetables that are grown in your backyard if they can get to them.

Do skunks hibernate?

Skunks don’t hibernate during the winter months. However, they tend to get idle during the cold season, along with the drop in temperature.

Throughout the winter months, you will be able to see skunks hiding in their dens. That’s because the skunks are seeking warmth during that time.

You will be able to see them at the end of the winter, especially in February and March.

Can skunks climb?

Skunks have long claws and sharp teeth, which they use mainly for digging. They are not the best climbers.

However, you will still see skunks climbing up in trees on fences, wire mesh, and boards.

The long nails of skunks provide them the tools they need to climb when necessary.

If trying to keep skunks out, use a metal fence since they can’t sink their claws into the metal.

Are skunks nocturnal?

Yes, skunks are mostly nocturnal. However, you’ll still see them navigating and wandering during the daytime as well.

Why do skunks spray?

Skunks are widely known for their scent glands, which can be an excellent defense weapon for them. You can find two different glands, which are located on the sides of the anus.

These glands are responsible for producing the unique spray that skunks use for defense. This spray contains sulfur and thiols, making an offensive smell that can help these animals to ensure their self-defense.

If you don’t want to get sprayed by a skunk, be sure not to scare or threaten them.

If you or your pet do get sprayed by a skunk, you’ll need to be “de-skunked.” You can use a mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap, or you can opt for the tomato juice method.