Repellents: Natural skunk repellents such as vinegar, ammonia, and Epsom salt can be used to deter skunks from entering your property. Spray a solution of these substances around the perimeter of your property to create a barrier skunks will find unpleasant.
Skunks especially dislike citrus, mothballs, ammonia and coyote urine. Skunks are nocturnal animals and do not like bright flood lights at all. Place one under your deck and they will leave. If you happen to see this skunk in the daytime it either is very sick or rabid.
Epsom salt
Sprinkle Epsom salts onto your trash can lid or around the areas that pests like to burrow into or dig around. Epsom salts will deter most any pests, including raccoons, mice, and squirrels among others.”
Some good natural skunk repellents include vinegar, citrus fruits, and hot peppers. A vinegar solution spray bottle is a popular choice among homeowners. It is easy to make and can be sprayed directly on the areas where skunks are likely to be found.
- Skunks are sensitive to strong odors. You can use natural repellents like: Ammonia-soaked rags: Place them in areas where skunks frequent. Cayenne pepper or hot sauce: Sprinkle these around your garden or property perimeter. Vinegar: A strong-smelling vinegar solution can deter skunks when sprayed around the yard.
Install lights in your yard
Skunks are nocturnal and shy away from bright lights. Lighting your yard at night will make it less appealing to skunks (though it will likely attract moths and crickets). If lighting your yard, consider using outdoor solar- powered lights to avoid costly electrical bills.
It may seem ironic, but skunks hate certain odors (as if they have room to judge). Citrus, ammonia, mothballs and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc) are three smells that can scare off skunks. If you use mothballs or ammonia-soaked cotton balls, be sure to keep them far away from children.
If there is an important reason to evict the skunks, here is a simple way to do it—skunks hate the smell of original scent Pine-Sol. A rag or block of wood soaked in the cleanser and placed as close as possible to a den entrance will often be enough to persuade a skunk to move her family to an alternate den site.
White vinegar can combat skunk scents in carpets, while baking soda will help neutralize odors in clothing. “Bowls of vinegar around the house can act as a deodorizer," says Pearson. Ventilate your home well. “If a skunk sprays inside your house, open the windows and run fans to air out the house,” says Pearson.
Epsom Salt and Garden Pests
of water may act as a deterrent to beetles and other garden pests. Mix the solution in a large bucket or other container and then apply the well-dissolved mixture to foliage with a pump sprayer. Many gardeners believe that the solution not only deters pests, but may kill many on contact.
Salt toxicity in a excessive amount can be a serious toxicity resulting in gastrointestinal and neurologic signs.
Spraying Epsom salt solutions on plant leaves can cause leaf scorch. Excess magnesium can increase mineral contamination in water that percolates through soil.
As it turns out, the secret to repelling skunks is a common kitchen ingredient: coffee grounds. This works because skunks have sensitive noses and coffee grounds give off a strong acidic smell that skunks dislike.
Skunks use spray as a last resort – It is a common misconception that skunks spray all the time. They actually only use their spray as a last resort when they feel they have exhausted all of their other defense mechanisms.
Not all soaps are created equal when it comes to keeping skunks away. Irish Spring soap stands out as a top choice for this purpose. This soap's strong scent seems particularly off-putting to skunks.
Repellants may also be effective in skunk deterrence. Mild repellents, such as used kitty litter, can be placed near or inside the den to one side so the skunk has to pass them to get out; commercial or homemade capsaicin or castor oil repellents may also be tried.
Pine-Sol® is not recommended for use on marble, aluminum, or unsealed, waxed, oiled or visibly worn wood. Q: Where should I NOT use Pine-Sol® Cleaners? A: We do not recommend using Pine-Sol® Original Multi-Surface Cleaner on aluminum, copper or marble surfaces.
Still, tomato juice is more aromatic than most other household liquids, hastening a process called olfactory fatigue. In short, the tomato juice masks the smell of skunkish thiol, and if one remains in a house redolent of tomato juice and skunk scent long enough, the scent will seem to fade.
Hydrogen peroxide reacts with the chemical in the skunk spray and releases oxygen radicals that neutralize the skunk scent. The smell should quickly disappear.
Natural Ingredients Make the Best Skunk Repellent
If you suspect that a family of skunks has made a den on your property, try boiling one chopped yellow onion, one chopped jalapeño pepper and one tablespoon of cayenne pepper in two quarts of water for 20 minutes.
The exceptions are reckless predators whose attacks fail once they are sprayed, dogs, and the great horned owl, which is the skunk's only regular predator. In one case, the remains of 57 striped skunks were found in a single great horned owl nest.
Skunks warn predators and competitors of the impending stench by stomping their feet, clicking their teeth and raising their tails. They hold their ground or run directly toward a threat and stop – sometimes with only a few inches to spare – to encourage retreat.
A bright light or a motion sensor flood light will scare skunks away. In addition to installing motion detecting light sensors outside your home, try keeping trash barrels covered and locked when possible. This will keep the smells emanating from your trash, and you won't be tempting skunks to enter your property.