Skunks are common nocturnal visitors to residential areas, often causing frustration by digging small, cone-shaped holes in lawns while foraging and, notoriously, emitting a foul odor when threatened. These animals are generally drawn to yards and gardens because they offer easy access to meals and secure places to rest and raise young. Understanding these basic motivations is the first step toward successful, humane deterrence, focusing on eliminating the factors that make a property attractive. This guide provides practical strategies focusing on safely preventing skunk intrusions and encouraging them to leave areas they have already occupied.
Eliminate Food and Shelter Attractants
Skunks possess a highly developed sense of smell that quickly leads them toward accessible food sources, making proactive sanitation the most effective deterrent. All household garbage should be secured inside heavy-duty containers equipped with tightly sealing lids or locking mechanisms, such as bungee cords looped over the top and around the handles. Additionally, pet food and water bowls should never be left outside overnight, as these provide a readily available and predictable meal for foraging wildlife.
A significant portion of a skunk’s natural diet consists of insects, with lawn grubs being a major draw, causing the animals to dig up turf in search of this protein-rich food. To reduce this specific attraction, property owners can treat the lawn for these pests, often using products containing beneficial nematodes, which are microscopic worms that parasitize the grubs. Alternatively, specific insect control treatments can be applied in late summer or early fall when grubs are small and residing closer to the surface of the soil.
Gardens and yards containing fruit trees or berry bushes can inadvertently attract skunks, as fallen produce offers a sweet and easy carbohydrate source. Regularly pick up any fruit that drops to the ground, preventing it from fermenting and emitting attractive odors. Maintaining a clean garden bed by removing accumulations of leaf litter and overgrown brush also eliminates potential shelter, making the environment less appealing for den construction.
Install Physical Barriers and Exclusion Fencing
When eliminating food is not enough, structural modifications can physically block access to sensitive areas like vegetable gardens or the entire yard perimeter. Standard chicken wire is generally insufficient because skunks can easily push through or chew through the thin material. A more durable, small-gauge wire mesh, preferably galvanized hardware cloth with openings no larger than one inch, provides a robust material that resists both chewing and pushing.
Since skunks are accomplished diggers, simply installing a fence above ground will not reliably prevent entry. The most effective strategy involves constructing an “L-footer” extension at the base of the fence to prevent the animal from burrowing underneath the barrier. This technique requires burying the mesh 6 to 12 inches deep into the soil. The bottom 12 inches of the mesh must then be bent outward at a 90-degree angle away from the protected area.
Skunks frequently seek shelter under decks, porches, sheds, and foundations to establish a den. Before sealing any access points under these structures, confirm that no animals are currently residing inside, as trapping a skunk within a void space can lead to serious odor problems. Once confirmed vacant, all openings greater than a few inches wide should be blocked with the same durable wire mesh, securely fastened to the structure’s base.
Using Sensory Repellents to Deter Skunks
Repellents that target the skunk’s highly sensitive sense of smell can provide a secondary layer of defense by making an area chemically undesirable. Capsaicin, the compound responsible for the heat in chili peppers, can be diluted into a spray and applied to garden areas, acting as a taste and smell irritant when the skunk investigates. Placing strong-smelling items like citrus peels or rags soaked in household ammonia near known entry points can also discourage exploration, though ammonia must be used safely.
Certain commercial granular or liquid products are specifically formulated to repel skunks and other small mammals, often utilizing ingredients like concentrated predator urine or strong essential oils. These products are generally scattered or sprayed around the perimeter of the protected space. However, the effectiveness of these sensory deterrents can vary widely, and they require frequent reapplication, especially after rain or heavy watering, to maintain the necessary concentration.
Encouraging Skunks to Safely Vacate
If a skunk is already established under a structure, the focus must shift to encouraging passive eviction rather than direct confrontation. Skunks are nocturnal and prefer dark, quiet places for their dens, so disrupting these conditions can motivate them to move elsewhere. Placing a battery-operated radio tuned to a talk station near the suspected den entrance or installing motion-activated floodlights can make the area unappealing for resting.
Before permanently sealing a suspected den, property owners should monitor the entrance to confirm the animal has left. This can be done by lightly sprinkling flour across the opening late in the evening. If the flour remains undisturbed for two to three consecutive nights, the den is likely vacant and can be sealed. Skunks can carry rabies, so any animal that appears confused, aggressive, or unnaturally active during the day should be treated with caution. Local animal control or wildlife professionals should be immediately contacted.