Skunk problem - need advice (Page 3): I have had skunk problems in the past, and none of my solutions were 100% to my satisfaction. The trap sourdough58 recommended is brilliant. We...

texasdigital Loc: Conroe, Texas

therwol wrote:

I have a problem with skunks in my yard at night.

I have had skunk problems in the past, and none of my solutions were 100% to my satisfaction. The trap sourdough58 recommended is brilliant. We did not have such devices and resorted to square cages. The problem is, that once you trap them, it is impossible to prevent them from squirting. Only the trap that sourdough58 suggests will accomplish this. I've even shot them in the head and invariably they will squirt before they die. It is their last revenge.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

therwol wrote:

I have a problem with skunks in my yard at night. ... (show quote)

Koenders makes a great live skunk trap. We've caught and released probably 9-10 over the past couple of years.

The only problem with the trap is skunks sorta like it and are hard to dump out...

We bait the trap with sardines.

bwa

Joseph C Boone Loc: California

I suggest you coexist. Keep the dogs in if they are unable to learn a hard lesson. If you don't like animals, why are you living in the foothills? You are intruding on the territories of skunks, coyotes, bobcats etc. What does this question have to do with photography?

therwol Loc: USA

Joseph C Boone wrote:

I suggest you coexist. Keep the dogs in if they are unable to learn a hard lesson. If you don't like animals, why are you living in the foothills? You are intruding on the territories of skunks, coyotes, bobcats etc. What does this question have to do with photography?

And raccoons, mountain lions and bears. You forgot those. Our next door neighbor lost four sheep to mountain lions. He was using them to keep his grass under control. He finally had to move them. A bear got into our garbage last year.

The dogs need to pee and poop, and limiting them to daylight hours outside, especially in the winter, means accidents in the house. I'm looking for a humane solution to the issue my dogs are having. I have someone coming out in a couple of days who claims they relocate skunks.

In every single location where people have settled, they have intruded on wildlife. Rural, urban, no exception. It can't be avoided. As the population increases, so will the intrusion. We moved up here to be close to family.

This has nothing to do with photography. It is in the Chit Chat section, along with a zillion posts that have nothing to do with photography. This is allowed.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Joseph C Boone wrote:

I suggest you coexist. Keep the dogs in if they are unable to learn a hard lesson. If you don't like animals, why are you living in the foothills? You are intruding on the territories of skunks, coyotes, bobcats etc. What does this question have to do with photography?

Seriously!?!!?? He posted in the Chit-chat (NON-PHOTOGRAPHY TALK) section of the forum. That's where this sort of post belongs.

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

Skunks usually dig for grubs. If you have your yard serviced for grubs you shouldn’t have trouble with skunks. Only way I got rid of them

therwol Loc: USA

JimBart wrote:

Skunks usually dig for grubs. If you have your yard serviced for grubs you shouldn’t have trouble with skunks. Only way I got rid of them

Thanks, I'll look into it. It's still very dry here, and I let my green lawn go during the drought. The ground is very hard, but they're digging for something anyway, not just in what used to be a yard but all around the property.

goofybruce

It appears you may have a grub problem in your lawn. That is what the skunks are after so maybe talk with a lawncare specialist who might treat the lawn for the grubs. Once they are gone the skunks will seek their meals elsewhere. A second suggestion is to use close-link chicken wire, a couple of feet tall, to put around the bottom of the existing fence to close off the "entrance" the skunks are using.

Also, as one person noted, real tomato juice or a big can of crushed tomatoes rubbed into the dogs' fur, then rinsed well, often does the trick to get rid of the smell. Hope this helps because many dogs have no 'scents' when it comes to encounters with skunks.

Boris77

therwol wrote:

I have a problem with skunks in my yard at night. ... (show quote)

Electric fence, properly installed, does not kill, but sure teaches animals not to "approach", little on touch it.
Separate posts just outside your fence if legal, or inside if that is more practical. Your dogs will quickly learn to avoid it.
Boris

sourdough58 Loc: Maine

therwol wrote:

Too bad you're in Maine. I don't think a house call to California would be practical. Thanks for the link to the trap. I don't think I could handle it myself, but it's good to know.

You Can do this it's very easy call me if you want I can guide you over the phone, If you have the trap you can trap the skunk and pay a neighbor kid to relocate and pay him $20, If you find someone Have them call me I will explain how to release skunks, and they won't get sprayed. My number is on my website.

Lucasdv123

Of all the stuff I have read no one has recommended pooph spray.they say it even takes skunk smell away.it is so safe that the guy in the commercial even sprays it in his mouth. I believe Wal mart sells it.

Rapunzel

Skunks dig for grubs and make a mess of a yard and of course if scared do their skunky thing. Have you considered putting chicken wire at the bottom of your fence, maybe 2 ft high stuff. The skunks can't get through it.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

therwol wrote:

I have a problem with skunks in my yard at night. ... (show quote)

Someone mentioned oranges repels them. I use orange oil mix with water and it not only kills fire ants but they can’t stand the smell and that keeps them away. Orange oil is easy to find it any local nursery or hardware store. You might want to try orange. Oil and spray around the fence line and if they don’t like the smell of it, they’ll avoid it.
Bruce

Ruthlessrider

therwol wrote:

We do keep our dogs (Beagles) in at night, but the... (show quote)

Not trying to disparage your selection of dogs, but some breeds are better at defending property than others. I use to have Borzoi, and I once watched them watch a coon crawl over the fence into my yard. They actually waited until it was about 10 feet into the yard and then charged. In thirty plus years I have lived on my small farm I have not had a problem with raccoons, skunks, opposum, or bears, and I live in rural central Wisconsin. While you may not like the idea of killing a skunk, sacrificing one for the benefit of keeping all others at bay worked in my case. Once these critters find a good place to be, they will keep returning.

sheldon minsky Loc: iron mountain michigan

JFP wrote:

A 22 caliber slug in the head.

.410 works great.