Help! Skunk problem

[cmd]

Fortunately it's not mine. Short of using a gun, does anyone have any quick suggestions for a city dweller who has a backyard skunk?

[Blue_Chill]

1. Are you sure it's a skunk?

they are rarely found in cities. In any event do one of the following.

-Put on your favorite shirt and pants and try to grab it with your bare hands.

-Or you could try contacting a non kill animal agency.

[commander bunnypants]

5. Dont forget the tomato juice

if you go at it with your bare hands. If you do please post about it.


DEMMAN-BTW I am pretty sure skunks carry rabies so be careful


DEMMAN

[SOteric]

8. Remove any food, or access to shelter.

If you've got unsecured garbage cans, or a pet who is fed out of doors, you need to find a different method of dealing with those things.

If you live in an older building which may have porches or access to a small undercroft, you need look into whether the critter is gaining access, has a litter under your house somewhere, etc. When it's determined that it's humane to do so, seal the access to those crawl spaces. Surround the house and any annexes with brambly plants which would make an uncomfortable 'bed' for a nesting creature.

Do not approach any wild skunks. They are amounge the top 3 wild creatures most likely to be carrying rabies.

[oneighty]

2. Animal control?

Hello coalminersdaughter. How have you been. I have missed you.

180

[cmd]

13. Hi 180

I've been around, but laying low while Elad has been working the bugs out of the new system. I've been doing a lot of gardening and a little house painting. Have you had any luck with your geneology search?

[curlyred]

3. contact local animal control

My dad's neighbor had a skunk under his deck. Animal control trapped it......unfortunately whatever regulations they operate under require them to kill wild animals instead of releasing....at least in our county.

[supernova]

4. Yuk!

What a nasty problem!

Get rid of the stuff the skunk likes... has the person been watching it to see why it's there? Here's a few suggestions:

- garbage. Like bears, skunks are scavangers. So, keep a lid on on the garbage can, completely closed off and boxed in if possible.

- If there's a fence is there a hole in it where the skunk can come and go at will? IOW, is the backyard a nice home with a fair amount of protection?

- Are there plants the skunk is fond of? Pull 'em.

[ronnykmarshall]

6. Give 'em a nice bath!

[Dookus]

7. awww....

don't worry too much.

I've had a skunk visiting my house for years. He's never caused a problem.

Unless you have a dog that's likely to tussle with him, he'll most likely leave you alone as long as you leave him alone.

[Spoonman]

9. Moth Balls

placed all around the area he's hanging out will cause him to vacate looking for another home.

[radwriter0555]

10. What's the problem?

Nothing wrong with a skunk for a neighbor.

Why does he have to leave?

[InkAddict]

11. Kill the Grubs

Be sure to apply an Insect Control to the lawn each year - Skunks are nocturnal scavengers and will also tear up the lawn looking for the fat white larva that become Japanese beetles, the little epicureans.

[cmd]

12. Thank you, everyone

I'll forward your suggestions to the skunkee.

[PittPoliSci]

14. yup...

let it go. you'll get used to it.

trust me. i've lived in the haggard backwoods of the suburbs my entire life. skunks really aren't that bad.