Now I know why we've been smelling skunk around our house lately...

Backing in the driveway the other day, something caught my attention in the side-view mirror. Looked out the side window just in time to see the distinctive black and white coat disappear into the bushes next to the driveway.

Turned on the sprinkler system, figured that would chase it out of our yard. It did, saw it run over into the neighbor's bush.

Talking to the neighbor yesterday, he says, yep. Seen one the other day, went into y'alls backyard.

Ok, so what's the best way to get rid of him/her? Don't know that I want to sit out all night /early morning with a shotgun hoping to get a shot off. (also pretty sure some neighborhood Karen would probably call the Ntnl Grd too. Got to admit, it would be fun to read the Next Door posts)

Set a trap? If yes, and knowing I'll probably catch a couple of cats too, what's the best bait?

Other suggestions? (both humorous and serious)

Mothballs. Just be careful prying their little legs apart to get them.

I use grub bait on lawn when I first see skunks or their diggings. Get rid of the food and they move on for a while.

If you have one hanging around that regularly, it likely means it is denning up close by. Destroy its den site and it will probably move on. A denning site can be identified by the scat pile close by. Skunks like to den in old barns, sheds, junk piles, etc. where there is a lot of structure, or under such sheds, houses, etc. As for trapping (presumably live traps since you have pets near by) most any meat bait will work. Canned cat food is a good one, and I have caught them on peanut butter also. If you catch cats, squirrels, etc, just let them go (or whatever) and reset for skunk. There also might be a way to set the trap unbaited if the situation warrants it. For example, if you locate the den and there is only one or a couple of entrance paths into the den, just block all but one entrance and set the trap at that entrance during the day when said skunk is in the den - where he has to walk into the trap to exit den. Oh, if caught its best to slowly approach the trap with tarp, old blanket, etc. held in front of you and slowly drape it over the trap prior to moving the trap. If you live inside a city, you may be able to just call the animal control office and have them come pick up and relocate the trapped animal. Many cities will do this.

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Oh, if caught its best to slowly approach the trap with tarp, old blanket, etc. held in front of you and slowly drape it over the trap prior to moving the trap.

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I cut out an old plastic trash can, and fit it around the cage (including slit for handle), before setting the trap.

Skunks have varying temperaments, and some will spray at the least bit of movement, while others will not spray at all.

Good idea on the trash can. Yep, some spray more often than others, that is why you always want a barrier between you and the "offender". I did a lot of fur trapping in my younger days and invariably got sprayed a lot. Funny thing is that you can eventually wash the smell off your skin, but it stays hidden in your hair for couple of weeks. When I would work or work out and get really sweaty or took a hot shower it was like the skunk was right there again in my hair.

Propane canon

Tumble Weed said:

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Propane canon

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How far will a propane cannon shoot them?

No harm in trying to get a great horned owl to take up residence near your place. Heck, I'm a little surprised one hasn't just showed up on its own with a stinky snack like that prancing around.

Tony Franklins Other Shoe said:

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Mothballs. Just be careful prying their little legs apart to get them.

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Unfortunately all our moths have been gelded or are named Caitlyn

ThunderCougarFalconBird said:

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No harm in trying to get a great horned owl to take up residence near your place. Heck, I'm a little surprised one hasn't just showed up on its own with a stinky snack like that prancing around.

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We have a couple of owls living in the area. I hear them at night

Yes, would be nice if they were to earn their keep

Anyway, I'll probably put a trap out soon.

Borrow one from my mom. The one she used to trap a couple from her place down in Fort Bend county

Thanks the for the comments/suggestions. ALL of them

Deerdude said:

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Tumble Weed said:

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Propane canon

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How far will a propane cannon shoot them?

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Not as far as a trebuchet, but further than a clay thrower.

My go to is wait for a shot in the backyard….. take the shot…. set the shotgun down and walk thru house to front porch and stand out there like everyone else is trying to figure out what the loud boom was! lol

Do you have access to a gun that fires .22 shorts? Talk with both of your neighbors and tell them you are going to terminate it with extreme prejudice. When they hear the pop, they will know the job is finished. I have recently found this to be a magic fix for a opposum issue I had...

See them a lot an hour or two after nightfall. Suppressed 22 if you have it. My uncle was an outdoors / large animal vet and said skunks had a very high carry ratio of rabies, so he recommended shoot on sight always vs trapping.

ETA I've got standing permission from our HOA president in our neighborhood to shoot any skunk I see. May help with neighbor complaining…

I ordered some Skunkaway for our cabin, and it seemed to do the trick.

You can also douse an open can of sardines (which is irresistible to skunks) with rat poison, but you might well kill a neighborhood cat by accident.

Snare trap. Highly effective. Your wife & neighbors will be amazed at your skills when you catch it.

I still like the trebuchet idea, but guess I'm in the minority here.

setup a baited live trap near a tank with a long lead tied to it. Catch skunk, pull trap into water. bury carcass.
A little old school, but effective in not having it spray over every thing when shot or snared.

Watching your 85 black lag grab one and shake him by the back of the neck should not be your plan. Not that I have experience with that…

Put cotton balls in an open sandwich bag, soak w/ammonia and place in their burrow.

Well, since the my last posting...

Talked to a neighbor two doors down. Their dog has been sprayed twice.

Talked to our next-door neighbor, his wife has seen the skunk crossing their driveway twice heading towards our house, most recently last night.

Highlight was, two nights ago. My wife was in our backyard, looking in a flower bed along the fence line that borders with the above "Saw it in the driveway" neighbor.

Wife looks casually over to her left and about 10 to 15' away she sees Peppe Le Peux walking towards our small (4'x5') wooden shed.

My wife took off running faster then she has in years.

So yesterday, I borrow a trap from my neighbor. And I set it right next to the shed
So far, nothing in it.

This morning I opened the shed door to get the hose out to help clean the pool (debris from last night's storm).

I'm closing the door, look down, and at the edge of the wheelbarrow is that recognizable black/white fur moving.

Shut the door and moved pretty quickly myself.

Feel like tossing a bug fogger into the shed, see if that will get it out of the shed. Then place some mothballs around the perimeter.

Don't know that I want to wait on the trap

Call a pest remover then? Tell them you know it's exact location

Momma and 2 babies

Gone

$125 well spent

RC_57 said:

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Wife looks casually over to her left and about 10 to 15' away she sees Peppe Le Peux walking towards our small (4'x5') wooden shed.

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Yep, small wooden shed. A magnet for any skunk or possum within miles.

aggiesundevil4 said:

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See them a lot an hour or two after nightfall. Suppressed 22 if you have it. My uncle was an outdoors / large animal vet and said skunks had a very high carry ratio of rabies, so he recommended shoot on sight always vs trapping.

ETA I've got standing permission from our HOA president in our neighborhood to shoot any skunk I see. May help with neighbor complaining…

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Shooting requires a significant time investment in hopes of getting a shot. A trap works 24 hours a day, even while you sleep.

aggiesundevil4 said:

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See them a lot an hour or two after nightfall. Suppressed 22 if you have it. My uncle was an outdoors / large animal vet and said skunks had a very high carry ratio of rabies, so he recommended shoot on sight always vs trapping.

ETA I've got standing permission from our HOA president in our neighborhood to shoot any skunk I see. May help with neighbor complaining…

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Well, if in the city limits it would take more than the HOA president's word to keep you out of trouble.

I definitely don't live in the city

RM76 said:

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RC_57 said:

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Wife looks casually over to her left and about 10 to 15' away she sees Peppe Le Peux walking towards our small (4'x5') wooden shed.

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Yep, small wooden shed. A magnet for any skunk or possum within miles.

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Been in this house ~22 years. First time for a skunk to take up residence in the shed.

But now that it's been "breeched", think I'm going to spread some mothballs in there, hope to keep Peppe out.

Mothballs freak me out due to the health risks.

My buddies family owned a dairy .. they had skunks by the hundreds .. they would lap up spilled milk and grain I believe .. every month or so he would put out a big dog bowl of milk …. Him brother would shoot at the same time …. Haul off all the dead skunks … wash rinse repeat as needed .. he said they were basically like cats didn't really spray unless the dog chased them

Missouri Boat Ride said:

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setup a baited live trap near a tank with a long lead tied to it. Catch skunk, pull trap into water. bury carcass.
A little old school, but effective in not having it spray over every thing when shot or snared.

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This post associated with this handle is so appropriate.