A skunk isn't exactly a beloved animal; the mass media has ensured that by wildly exaggerating the skunk's identity as a stinky animal to get a few laughs. In reality, though, they are fascinating creatures.
They stand out with their alluring coat of black and white hair, and just like opossums, they are immune to snake venom. They spray a foul-smelling oily liquid, but only when they feel threatened by predators or humans, and that too sparingly, since it takes a whole week to reload the anal glands which produce the liquid. In fact, perhaps conscious of the effects of the deadly weapon that they possess, they will give a clear warning before spraying; they will turn their back to you, stamp their feet and hiss audibly.
What a cool bunch, right? However, they do have an ugly side to them. They tend to be pestiferous, i.e., perform actions that oppose human interests, including getting into our gardens. If you're afflicted by this problem and want to learn about the various methods that you can employ to solve it, read on.
Why do skunks end up in your garden?
Skunks may be omnivorous, but they have a predilection for insects, which makes your carefully managed garden a regular hangout for these mammals. They will dig into the soil with their claws, and gobble up whatever delicacies come their way, which is why your garden inadvertently ends up getting ruined.
Your garden may also consist of potential shelters, and a skunk is not one to pass up that opportunity.
The following are some ways in which you can avoid this from happening.
Anti-skunk mixture
This one is a simple remedy that can easily be concocted at home. Spray a mixture of castor-oil and dish-washing detergent diluted with water around your garden, because a skunk is repulsed by this smell.
Light is your best friend
One of the best skunk repellents is light because they are nocturnal creatures whose eyes are inevitably sensitive to light. You can place a strong light in your garden during the night to scare away the skunks should they enter it.
Citrus stinks
You might love the smell of citrus fruits, but skunks detest it. Therefore, citrus fruit peels act as natural skunk repellents, and you can place them all around your garden.
Scary urine
If you happen to own a dog, it's time to unleash its bloody urine on the demented skunk, as the latter is scared by dog urine. You can also find predator urine in various garden centers.
Ammonia antics
Placing rags soaked with ammonia all around your garden will also successfully repel skunks.
Keep your garden clean
That goes without saying. A littered garden is very likely to attract skunks on the lookout for tasty morsels, so it's advisable to keep it clean and remove any leftover food lying around.
Go back to the Steuben County wildlife removal home page.