If you’ve ever been in a rural area or neighborhood, you’ve smelled a skunk. Despite being relatively shy creatures, their odor carries far and wide, so you don’t have to see one to know it’s around. So what should you do if one takes up residence near your home, such as under a shed or porch? Figuring out how to get rid of skunks under sheds can seem like an ordeal, but fortunately, there are several options. Let’s look at how to get rid of skunks under your shed.
How To Get Rid of Skunks Under Shed
First, it’s important not to panic. Banging around or letting the dog loose to scare it off will certainly backfire. Instead, keep reading to find out some of the best ways to encourage skunks to vacate.
Install a Fence
If you notice a skunk around more than once, it’s likely planning to move in or already has. If you catch the intruder in time, you can protect your property with fencing. Doing this doesn’t have to be complicated. Some wire mesh will usually do the job of keeping skunks out from under your shed.
Use Ammonia or Vinegar
Some repellents on the market promise to drive skunks away, but unfortunately, these can be unreliable. Using ammonia or apple cider vinegar is a safer way to see if you can get the skunk out. You will likely have to reapply, and there is no guarantee that it will get rid of the skunk.
Turn on the Lights
Skunks are not usually aggressive and aren’t interested in living close to humans. If you can find a way to light up the area around and under your shed, they will be less likely to want to stay there. You can also use sounds to deter skunks from your yard.
Trap
Trapping a skunk can be risky and possibly more work than it is worth. A professional can help in this capacity. You can try to lure it out with food, but you might have better luck by closing off all entries and forcing it to leave through your trap. Either way, you run a risk of being bitten or sprayed, so do careful research before attempting this method.
Preventing Skunks
Skunks do not pick their habitats at random. They tend to choose specific points for their privacy and access to nourishment. That is especially true if the skunk is a nesting mother.
If you have managed to get rid of your skunk, you will need to take precautions to avoid them again in the future. It chose your home for a reason, and another one could certainly come along again. Below is a list of reasons why skunks might choose your home.
- If you leave trash open, they can certainly follow the smell. Normally, people consider raccoons to be the culprit of destroyed trash bags, but skunks are also attracted to our garbage.
- If you leave pet food outside at night, this is also an invitation for skunks to stick around. Like your dog and other wildlife, it will happily eat whatever food it can.
- If you tend to overwater your lawn, this could also be another reason they chose your home. Skunks enjoy warm, moist environments where grubs live.
How To Get Rid of Skunks Under Shed: Final Thoughts
It can be easy to demonize the skunk thanks to its foul odor, but it can be very beneficial for the environment. If you are unlucky enough to have one invade your yard or beneath your shed, do some investigation and weigh your options. You may find that the skunk hasn’t settled in yet, and you still have an opportunity to deter it.
If all else fails, speak with a professional. Skunks aren’t usually dangerous, but animals can be unpredictable, and you don’t want to be on the receiving end of this creature’s best defense mechanism.