Message 4714 of 5193

need help with skunks

I've been researching, and looking for a way to repel skunks......The really good, educated sites say that moth balls, fox urine and commercial repell products just don't work, and that if some people say they did work, it was just coincidence.
I live in a neighborhood, and my next door neighbor has family of skunks, with new babies, under her porch and will not have them removed by a trapper. She says they don't bother her, and have every right to be there. I told her not only does my dog get sprayed, in his own fenced yard, but skunks have sprayed my car, my house, me...and the smell gives me migraines, .....plus I cannot sleep when the skunk has sprayed at night and I need to go to work the next day. She replied that the skunks often spray right under her bedroom windows, too, and oh well............and "if you don't move quickly, they will not spray"...well, I was not moving too quickly in my own bed last night, my dog was alseep beside me and so was my cat....and my house got hit , so no sleep and a migraine for me, now I have to get ready for work. ANYWAY: Does anything REALLY work to keep them at least out of my yard? I know they will still spray my car, house and neighborhood but it will at least be at slightly longer range.....
mberry's profile
Gee, sorry to hear about the skunks. I am surprised they spray so often. Normally they do not spray unless threatened. We coexisted in a barn with skunks and never had them spray one time. I have photos of the babies eating while the horses are eating - picking up what the horses drop. Sorry but I have no idea what you can do, hope someone else can help.
PerkyBarb's profile

over 4 years ago
I am also sorry you have this problem. If we are riding in a car and I smell a skunk I get an instant migraine. I googled 'getting rid of skunks' and came up with a thing or two. One of them is amonia. Spread it around where they are getting under your house and make a trail of it going to your neighbors house. Throw food over her fence at night where she can't see you doing it...in other words feed them in her yard and they have no need to come into your yard. Another one is call your animal control officer and have him put live traps in your yard and eventually you will have them moved out. Can you board it up so they can't get under your house. Good luck..........Carol

LuvMyDogs07's profile

over 4 years ago
I agree with Carol. If the neighbor won't do anything to get rid of them, have the wildlife people trap them on your property.

I do wonder why they are spraying so much. Maybe there is another critter (like fox or coyote) that is threatening them in the area.

You certainly have a right to do something about this, especially given your medical reaction to the spray.
lexiedogmom's profile

over 4 years ago
With a bayou so nearby we have had trouble with various wildlife...skunks among them . Tried the fox urine and moth balls but they were not that effective. The ammonia did the trick, however. I just poured it around the garbage cans[ which they seemed drawn to and along the area of fence they used to come through into my yard.
My next step was for animal control to come out with their traps...and they will. You have rights against "varmits" just as your neighbor thinks she has" rights" to allow them.
Because of rabies animal control does not want wild animals in populated areas.
Talk to your animal control people if the ammonia doesnt work for you.
Good luck
rhianne's profile

over 4 years ago
Am just catching up with this thread, mberry. Sounds like you've gotten some good advice! I didn't know that myself about ammonia, and will sure keep it in mind. We occasionally get them in our yard, but thank goodness none of them have set up housekeeping under our porch! I don't understand your neighbor's attitude-I mean I love animals, but that's going a bit far, I think! Anyway, she can't inflict her "skunky rights" on you; I think you should definately call animal control and explain your problem. (I'm not so sure about throwing food in your neighbor's yard, though-that might start a whole new problem!)
Good luck and let us know what happens.
alagal5's profile

over 4 years ago

Sorry the skunks are a bother. We had a famly that lived under or porch too but they were no problem till my Dad ranover one. We warshed the car with tomato juice.

JudyGirl's profile

over 4 years ago
Sounds like you have some good advise here. Be sure to let us know what happens!
PerkyBarb's profile

over 4 years ago
Sounds like you've gotten some good advice. I definitely would contact animal control - as we all know, skunks carry rabies.

A case of rabies in a horse was just reported in Central Texas.

Good luck with this -

Sandra Mc
caradocs's profile

over 4 years ago

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