Animal & Wildlife Removal Professionals
How To Get Rid Of Skunks
Sometimes skunks are left to the pros. Before you call a pro do this…
Animal removal tip #1
Cayenne pepper– Wildlife are persistent and very clever. They will dig under, around and into everything. If you have a skunk digging into the soil to gain access to your crawlspace, deck, shed or into your yard, buy cayenne pepper and mix it into the excavated soil. Then, backfill the cayenne/soil into the hole at the point of entry. The skunk will definitely dig back through a few times. Everytime it does, you would use the same mixed cayenne soil to backfill the hole. This might take 4-5 tries but eventually the skunk will leave. Seal up the hole with a bag of cement once the hole has been unbothered for 3 nights.
Animal removal tip #2
Motion Sensored Pet Spray – For clients that couldn’t afford my services I would suggest a humane way of evicting their raccoon, skunk or opossum. By attaching the spray system right at the corner or in front of the point of entry. Whatever comes in or out will get blasted with a sudden loud, pressurized burst of air. Attach the device onto a stake and dig it into the ground right in front of the hole or duct tape onto the wall. It sounds silly but it can certainly save your a lot of money. Keep it place for about 4-5 days then stuff the hole with a plastic bag. If the bag is still in place for 3 nights you can seal the hole with a bag of cement or replace the vent screen if that where it was coming out of.
Animal removal tip #3
Dog Shock Training Pad – These are used on couches and countertops to keep pets away. Most pets never return after just one shock. They provide a shock from a 9 volt battery and is wireless. Apply this pad any any point of entry. Whether it’s on the ground, on top of a fence or a broken vent. You can easily duct tape this on a wall as well.
Animal removal tip #4
Dealing with animals that are roaming the yard is a bit tricky as most deterrents don’t work given the openness of the yard. A lot of my client have used coyote urine or ammonia to try and ward off animals but end up calling me to come and trap to remove them. If you have raccoons or skunks digging for grub it’s very difficult to keep them away. Homeowners have used motion sensored sprinklers to no avail. Sprinklers are effective against cats and deer but not on raccoon, opossum or skunk. Sealing up the kickboards of your fence can help skunks. But raccoons and opossums just climb right over.
The Dangers of Skunks:
Skunks are known to carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans and other animals. Some of the diseases that skunks may carry include:
- Rabies: Skunks are one of the primary carriers of rabies in North America. Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected animal.
- Leptospirosis: This is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans through contact with the urine of infected animals, including skunks. Symptoms of leptospirosis can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Tularemia: This is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, including skunks. Symptoms of tularemia can include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Roundworms: Skunks may carry roundworms in their feces, which can be transmitted to humans and other animals. Infection with roundworms can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
It is important to take precautions when encountering skunks, such as avoiding contact with them and keeping pets up to date on their vaccinations. If you suspect that you or your pet have come into contact with a skunk, seek medical attention or veterinary care immediately. http://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/zoonotic-diseases.html