This article was co-authored by Chris Parker and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. With over seven years of experience, Chris specializes in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.
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So you've discovered you have a skunk living in your yard or under the back steps. How do you get him to leave on his own?
Steps
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1Remove all sources of food. Skunks love your cat's and dog's food and can live off of garbage like raccoons.[1]
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2Locate the area where the skunk is staying. Watch it from inside the house or from a distance.Advertisement
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3Do not try to encounter or demonstrate you're a threat to the skunk.
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4Mix Cayenne (red pepper), Cajun Seasoning, Cinnamon, and any other hot spices you may have around the house.[2]
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5Make about 1/4 of a plastic sandwich bag full of the mixture. Mix well in the baggie.
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6When the skunk is nowhere around, empty the contents of the bag, in his trail, or in the entrance to his burrow.
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7The skunk gets the mixture on his paws, when he eats or cleans himself, and soon, he will no longer be comfortable at your home and will leave.
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8If you have pets like cats or dogs and you take them outside to do their business, be sure to keep them on a leash so they don't get sprayed.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you trap a skunk without them spraying?
Chris ParkerChris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. With over seven years of experience, Chris specializes in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.
Founder, Parker Eco Pest ControlThe chance of you getting sprayed probably isn't that high unless you threaten him or her. Since skunks are considered wildlife, you need a trappers license if you want someone to go out there and trap them. -
QuestionIf I encounter a skunk and shine a flashlight on it, will it attack or spray me?
Community AnswerI've shone my flashlight on a skunk before. It doesn't seem to make the skunk do anything apart from looking at me for a second before continuing its business. -
QuestionHow do I know exactly where the skunk is?
Community AnswerI have had skunks take up residence off and on over many years. You first may notice the faint skunky odor, especially around any woodpiles or outdoor sheds. Then you may notice a small burrow under it, generally only one hole. They stay under the shed during the day and come out at night to eat grubs, night crawlers, fallen fruit, etc. Before you try to plug the hole, make sure it is out of its den. I set up a wildlife infrared camera ($60 to $100 on Amazon) to observe it for a few days to learn its habits. When it was out of the hole, I plugged it by digging around the burrow entrance and extending a trench from side to side, then filled it with premix cement.
Warnings
- Avoid getting hit in the eyes, it can temporarily blind you⧼thumbs_response⧽
- A skunk must give you a warning before it sprays: It will tap his front paws twice, raise its tail, short forward charges, and even do a handstand (spotted skunk)⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Don't pester or try to scare them, or you're probably getting sprayed. Remember, they are just as afraid of you as you are of them.⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You'll Need
- Seasoning & Spices
References
About This Article
To get a skunk to leave, try using a flashlight to scare it off. Just shine the bright light on the skunk, which should stop it from coming any closer. You can also try shouting or stomping your feet to scare it off. If you have access to a hose, spray some water near the skunk until it runs away. Do not approach the skunk, and back away slowly if it seems aggressive. If the skunk starts to stomp its front or back feet or make hissing noises, it’s signaling that it’s aggravated or scared. Run away quickly before it sprays you. If you have any pets, keep them indoors for 2 days after you spot a skunk so they don’t run into it. For tips about how to add motion-activated floodlights to your yard to scare skunks, keep reading!
