Skunks wouldn’t be all that bothersome if they didn’t spray their nasty-smelling liquid, act as potential disease carriers and thieve when night comes around. Cute, furry creatures they may be but if you have children and pets at home they risk sustaining injuries or worse, contracting and spreading diseases.
Skunk removal is a task best left to professional animal control services. But in the absence of any or if you’d rather undertake the job yourself, you need to know how to get it done.
• Dispose trash properly and don’t miss garbage collection days. Skunks and other pests are drawn to food and any scraps they have easy access to will compel them to set up home in and around your house.
• Use a tight fitting garbage bin cover at all times. Skunks are nocturnal but if driven by hunger, may venture out during the day in search of food.
• Remove fallen nuts and berries which are also food for skunks. If you have fruit-bearing trees, harvest them when ripe and store appropriately.
• Uncovered compost heaps, easily accessible water sources, and grubs and insects under logs and leaves are attractants. Keep the yard clean.
• If you can, use floodlights to illuminate skunk-prone areas. Being nocturnal they’re likelier to avoid venturing out.