eng2d2

Golden Member
Nov 7, 2013
1,007
38
91
Just found out that a skunk took residence under my house. Any tips on how to lure it out. He goes in through a screen panel thats leads into a crawlspace underneath the house. He goes in and out but I don't know when. Thanks.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Critter Ridder (pepper spray in capsule form) will drive him out, but you need to cover his entry once he is out.

I used a piece of long hose and loaded it with Critter Ridder.
I then blew on it and shot the particles into the recess the my excellent compatriot (not skunk) was hiding.
5min. later he came walking out, sneezing. I then blocked his entry.
 

WHAMPOM

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2006
7,628
183
106
Just found out that a skunk took residence under my house. Any tips on how to lure it out. He goes in through a screen panel thats leads into a crawlspace underneath the house. He goes in and out but I don't know when. Thanks.

First skunk proof the building, chicken wire tacked in at ground level, then leave one way in or out with a Hinged one way door so he can get out but not back in. Hinged on top so he can push his way out, weighted so he cannot get back in. Leave a stick holding it open so he won't get confused but will fall out when the skunk leaves.
 

cabri

Diamond Member
Nov 3, 2012
3,616
1
81
Just found out that a skunk took residence under my house. Any tips on how to lure it out. He goes in through a screen panel thats leads into a crawlspace underneath the house. He goes in and out but I don't know when. Thanks.

Just do not do anything to make it feel threatened:colbert:
 

CraKaJaX

Lifer
Dec 26, 2004
11,905
148
101
Just set a trap outside the crawl space he's entering. Check daily if you've got him and either 1) relocate 2) assassinate. Make sure you've got a tarp or blanket you don't mind losing to cover the thing from spraying you (if relocating)
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
omg, I cannot imagine trying to relocate a skunk in a cage.
I have relocated many coons and possums, but they don't spray.
 

who?

Platinum Member
Sep 1, 2012
2,327
42
91
Put some earplugs in then play a recording of Diamanda Galas progressively louder and louder and hope the skunk doesn't get angry before it leaves. While Ms Galas is still shrieking after the skunk has left seal up the places where the skunk could get back in.
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
Meh, I trapped quite a few skunks last fall. They generally don't spray once they're in a havahart trap. I'd trap them, put them in the back of the van, and take them for a ride.
 

IGBT

Lifer
Jul 16, 2001
17,975
141
106
Meh, I trapped quite a few skunks last fall. They generally don't spray once they're in a havahart trap. I'd trap them, put them in the back of the van, and take them for a ride.


..where?? aren't they like cats and eventually return??
 

pcgeek11

Lifer
Jun 12, 2005
22,376
4,998
136
Not if you take them far enough away.

Or drop them off at somebody you don't likes house. :)
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Meh, I trapped quite a few skunks last fall. They generally don't spray once they're in a havahart trap. I'd trap them, put them in the back of the van, and take them for a ride.
Wow, really?
I assumed they would spray as soon as you approached the trap, while you picked up the trap, while you are turning a corner in the car, when you pick the trap up out of the truck, and one last time when you open the cage door to set it free.
Maybe they save it for more dire situations.
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
I don't mind skunks. We have a few that come visit at night. We don't leave garbage out, so they don't spend too much time at our house. They live under our shed in the backyard. I think they are kinda cute.

Skunks won't spray you unless you corner them. They can only spray so often, so they use it as a last resort. Keep your garbage secure, don't mess with them and you will be fine.



*except that one time the stupid dog tried to make friends with Mama Skunk and got nailed.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,779
5,941
146
Is it bothering you?

It, or the kitty that crawls in there to die can really bother you. In laws left a screen off a vent because they thought it would get rid of mice.
Lucky me had to crawl under the house when things started smelling funky, and go nose-to-nose with fluffy, the poor old kitty who crawled in there to die. I did not stop moving till I had all the screens repaired, let me tell you!
 

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,256
406
126
My dad has trapped a bunch of skunks. We used to get them around our property, he'd just trap them in a cage and I think throw a blanket or something like that over the cage, and they wouldn't spray. He never got sprayed, that I know for sure, lol.

But I moved to a new apartment last weekend and right behind my place there's like a fenced in little "woods" area. I was on my back porch smokin a cig a few nights ago, reading a book on my phone as usual, and I look up and there's a fucking skunk like 10 feet away. HNNNGGGG. I vacated the area promptly. Then last night he came again, along the fence, but I noticed him a bit sooner this time. Goddamnit. Not sure what I can do, or what maintenance can do (besides "lol" at me). If it was my own house and I had no neighbors close by, I'd probably employ one of my rifles. Sorry, I have no interest in getting sprayed just standing on my fucking back porch.
 

Murloc

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2008
5,382
65
91
here we have martens, if skunks are anything like those, I understand wanting to chase it from the house.

They systematically crap in front of the doors and they muck up the windshield with their dirty paws.

My dad has trapped a bunch of skunks. We used to get them around our property, he'd just trap them in a cage and I think throw a blanket or something like that over the cage, and they wouldn't spray. He never got sprayed, that I know for sure, lol.

But I moved to a new apartment last weekend and right behind my place there's like a fenced in little "woods" area. I was on my back porch smokin a cig a few nights ago, reading a book on my phone as usual, and I look up and there's a fucking skunk like 10 feet away. HNNNGGGG. I vacated the area promptly. Then last night he came again, along the fence, but I noticed him a bit sooner this time. Goddamnit. Not sure what I can do, or what maintenance can do (besides "lol" at me). If it was my own house and I had no neighbors close by, I'd probably employ one of my rifles. Sorry, I have no interest in getting sprayed just standing on my fucking back porch.
just throw rocks until it stops coming, or are they that long range?

Also you can always put a trap in your garden.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,779
5,941
146
They don't come up and spray you. If you had a garden hose nearby and sprayed it when it was 20 feet away it would run off. You could toss a rock at it too.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
60,129
10,601
126
Not sure what I can do, or what maintenance can do (besides "lol" at me). If it was my own house and I had no neighbors close by, I'd probably employ one of my rifles. Sorry, I have no interest in getting sprayed just standing on my fucking back porch.
Stance of dominance. Next time you see it, raise your arms above your head(to appear larger), give your biggest, loudest war yell, and then run towards it. He'll then know you're the alpha animal on the block, and won't come back.
 

Spacehead

Lifer
Jun 2, 2002
13,067
9,858
136
My dad has trapped a bunch of skunks. We used to get them around our property, he'd just trap them in a cage and I think throw a blanket or something like that over the cage, and they wouldn't spray. He never got sprayed, that I know for sure, lol.
Yeah, my dad has done the same when he has a skunk around his place.


Stance of dominance. Next time you see it, raise your arms above your head(to appear larger), give your biggest, loudest war yell, and then run towards it. He'll then know you're the alpha animal on the block, and won't come back.
Also, video & post to YouTube.
 

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,256
406
126
They don't come up and spray you. If you had a garden hose nearby and sprayed it when it was 20 feet away it would run off. You could toss a rock at it too.
Hmmm. O rly? I guess I could throw a rock at it everytime I see it come by back there. LOL. That just seems like a shitty idea though. A more permanent solution would be good.

Stance of dominance. Next time you see it, raise your arms above your head(to appear larger), give your biggest, loudest war yell, and then run towards it. He'll then know you're the alpha animal on the block, and won't come back.
Now this would be interesting. Should I do it naked too?
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,779
5,941
146
Not like you are going to hurt it, just condition it to go elsewhere. What is more important is why is the skunk coming around? Is somebody feeding stray cats? skunks go for cat food. If it is a female with a litter nearby then you will have to wait that out.
The babies are darn cute to watch. Much like kittens, and cats will play with skunks on occasion.
My sister had a litter where mama had dug in under the slab of a porch, right outside a window. This was 3 feet from her front door!
There was never any spraying. Everybody got used to each other and it was fun to watch the kids come out and romp and play, then dash back in when somebody came home.