Asked on Jun 20, 2015
How to get rid of a skunk living under shed, permanently?
by Terri S
+30
I have tried traps and it just eats bait and gets away. I have tried automatic lights to disturb his nightly routine, doesn't faze him. I can't use my yard anymore, I need help.
26 answers
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Have you tried Critter Ridder granules? I used them to repel a groundhog. I tried everything too including a solar repellant that beeps, and a stick that smokes them out. I put some in the hole one day after he came out and then reapplied a couple of times after a heavy rain. He has not returned this year (knock on wood). I left the solar beeper up too. The brand I used was Chemfree http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/critter-ridder-3-kg-animal-repellent-granular-shaker/6000087158285 I imagine the one in the US is similar or the same, with only label differences...http://www.havahart.com/about-critter-ridder
![B. Enne]()
B. Enne
on Jun 20, 2015
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Why can't you use your backyard? My understanding is that skunks are nocturnal, good for bug control, and only spray after giving plenty of warnings. We've got a family of them under our porch and we haven't had any problems yet. In fact, my flowers are doing much better because the beetles are gone!
![The Weathered Fox]()
The Weathered Fox
on Jun 20, 2015
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The skunk sprays around the yard every few nights for some reason, and it smells horrible. AND, I have a small dog, a yorkie, who would be constantly trying to dig it out from under the shed, I've tried human hair (like I used to help rid us of the rabbits) and our Dept of Natural Rsourses suggested soaking rags in amonia and trying to get rid of it that way, just dragged them further under the shed. Tried filling in the entry ways every single day to discourage it, just kept making new ones or redigging the old out. Never heard of Critter Ridder....
![Terri S]()
Terri S
on Jun 20, 2015
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Put moth balls in the hole....animals don't like the smell of camphor.....
![Linda Mudge Neice]()
Linda Mudge Neice
on Jun 20, 2015
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Call your state Wildlife Department. Usually they will come out and remove wild animals that are where they shouldn't be, assuming that you live in an urban area, not a rural area.
![Holly Dowling]()
Holly Dowling
on Jun 20, 2015
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Our DNR (Dept of Natural Resources) will NOT come out or do anything, except fine you huge amounts if you kill it (it's protected). Local city animal control won't do anything either. I do live in city limits. Moth balls don't affect it either, it was tried. 2 boxes. And they were just pushed back up into the main yard away from the entrance. Keep the ideas coming - I need this skunk gone.
![Terri S]()
Terri S
on Jun 20, 2015
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I keep rats from living under our extensive wooden walkways, and also out of outdoor storage areas, by using Irish Spring soap. I buy it very cheaply at the Dollar Tree store and toss whole bars where I don't want critters. Has worked for several years now.
![Jane Wild]()
Jane Wild
on Jun 21, 2015
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Our animal control won't come out either.
![Jo Chadd]()
Jo Chadd
on Jun 21, 2015
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coyote urine?
![Me]()
Me
on Jun 21, 2015
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Gun.
![Jennifer]()
Jennifer
on Jun 21, 2015
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send a fox terrier under to chase him out of his overstayed digs! :D
![Graphxdesigner]()
Graphxdesigner
on Jun 21, 2015
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I use moth balls to keep critters out of my sheds and flower beds. Throw several under there and see what happens. Cheap, and surely smells better than the "friend" you have there now! Best of Luck!!!
![Candace Warren]()
Candace Warren
on Jun 21, 2015
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Had that problem for years. Learned trapping them , you need to take them more than a few miles away before letting loose or they find their way back. Moth balls did help, I tied a long string to the socks to be able to pull them back out if necessary. But after a while the moth ball odor disappeared under my shop and I had to replace them again before the skunk gave up. That first skunk turned out to be rabid. I also learned bees don`t like moth balls and squirrels don`t like WD40. Squirrels chewed a way into the ceiling of my shop and had babies there this past year, plus they have chewed away part of the support boards that connect back porch to house - they probably thought was a way into eaves to build a nest like they did in front house eaves years ago. . Guess I live too close to the mountain- just a few miles, so collect them. Have seen a fawn and also a huge moose walk down our road and rest in the tiny wooded area across the road from my home. , a few years back. Just as long as the wolfs stay in the mountains, rest are just troublesome, but dogs are safe.
![Dot M]()
Dot M
on Jun 21, 2015
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had woodchucks make a home in my barn a couple yrs back. I had a radio out there for when I was working.... I put on a rock and roll station , cranked it up and left it on for a wk straight... apparently they didn't like it and left the barn! Unfamiliar noise has often been used as a deterrent for animals and I think because the sounds from the radio worked because the sounds change constantly and they don't get used to it as fast.
![Cathy C]()
Cathy C
on Jun 21, 2015
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Check out tobytobin.com. Toby is famous in Kansas City for his Saturday morning radio show dealing with all things gardening and issues dealing with home ownership. This very subject came up on the show this last week-end (June 20). You can listen to that show or even call them for an answer! Good luck.
![Marsha]()
Marsha
on Jun 21, 2015
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If you'll read pages 409 and 410 of this publication (http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/animal-damage-control.pdf), you'll see some research-based suggestions. Note that any chemicals mentioned are licensed in NC, not necessarily in all other states. To those using mothballs, please just be very careful. To create an odor that will chase away animals, the level of the chemical in mothballs is toxic to PEOPLE, too. And remember also that the Trap and Release approach has a LOT of legal restrictions (you have to have the property-owner's permission to dump an animal on his land) and often also results in the death of the animal because it's been removed from its habitat. (Wildlife issues can really be a pain in the neck!) The idea of putting down a trail of flour to see if the animal has left for the day, then fencing the area where he's getting in, may be the best alternative. Good luck!
![Linda B]()
Linda B
on Jun 21, 2015
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When I had this problem I called our area zoo. They recommended mothballs. It worked.
![Candie goodno]()
Candie goodno
on Jun 21, 2015
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Just please do not harm the skunk in any way. This time of year the females will have a litter too. Skunks are such great animals and I believe trapping them would be easy enough to relocate. Just be careful you do not relocate a mother without her babies.
![Kathleen Herman]()
Kathleen Herman
on Jun 21, 2015
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If you have a sweaty male handy and an old t-shirt have him wear it while he does manual work to get it very stinky. Then throw the shirt under the shed. An 'old timer' told us that skunks don't like human scent. It worked for us.
![Northern Lights]()
Northern Lights
on Jun 21, 2015
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Here we are discouraged to evict skunks while they are raising their young. To do this humanely, you can block their entrance with some dirt and check it for exiting occupants - when the dirt no longer becomes dislodged by skunks/skunklets coming and going you can bury chicken wire 1.5 feet around your foundation. It worked for us for a long time. I will confess that recently we got a new one, so we stuck a radio in the den while they were out, and played 24hr talk radio. Neighbours were curious, but it only took 1-2 days to clear it out (don't know if they had a litter at the time).
![Duv310660]()
Duv310660
on Jun 21, 2015
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I am curious to know what would happen if the skunk got so used to you it was not alarmed by you or your family and did not 'skunk' you with the awful stink when alarmed and defending itself? Anyone on here ever been brave enough or foolhardy enough to find out if it works? We don't get skunks but I heard the smell is diabolical and do sympathise if you are in danger of being 'skunked' just for going out in your own garden.
![Carole]()
Carole
on Jun 21, 2015
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to those who have suggested getting used to it, that won't work with my little dog. I have a yorkier (a terrier) who will always try to get the animal to leave and try digging it out. That's what they were bred to do. and I know it would get sprayed. I actually don't need the shed any more, so I will tear it down when the skunk is removed so this doesn't happen again.
![Terri S]()
Terri S
on Jun 21, 2015
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We have trapped many critters with the trap that closes when they step on the plate to eat the bait. This was a necessity when a cat ran off. These traps are used by our humane society and they will lend them to you. The problem I see is when the skunk is trapped it will spray. Maybe place it in the open away from your home or shed?
![Ddwegkamp]()
Ddwegkamp
on Jun 22, 2015
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Skunks, I have been told, cannot see very well. They eat dog food and any food that is left out for pets. Since he has found a home under your house, why not call the county wild animal place. If you were brave enough to pick it up, pick it up by the tail and it cannot spray in that position. Then use you imagination to get it to another location. Not very helpful, but some infomation.
![Barbara]()
Barbara
on Jun 22, 2015
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Try moth balls if you can toss them under the shed far enough to keep the dog from eating them. My dog has been "skunked" 4 times and never learns...
![Ju An]()
Ju An
on Mar 28, 2016
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Moth balls didn't work either, no traps, sprays, human hair, and lots of other ideas we've tried for over a year now. The moth balls ended up showing back up in the yard. I haven't let my little dog out there for over a year. I'm just going to tear down the shed this spring. I don't use it much, and it's not in great shape anyway, and although it might be good for someone if they buy my house in a couple years, it's not worth it to me now. I want my dog to enjoy the yard now
![Terri S]()
Terri S
on Mar 28, 2016
B. Enne
on Jun 20, 2015
The Weathered Fox
on Jun 20, 2015
Linda Mudge Neice
on Jun 20, 2015
Holly Dowling
on Jun 20, 2015
Jane Wild
on Jun 21, 2015
Jo Chadd
on Jun 21, 2015
Me
on Jun 21, 2015
Jennifer
on Jun 21, 2015
Graphxdesigner
on Jun 21, 2015
Candace Warren
on Jun 21, 2015
Dot M
on Jun 21, 2015
Cathy C
on Jun 21, 2015
Marsha
on Jun 21, 2015
Linda B
on Jun 21, 2015
Candie goodno
on Jun 21, 2015
Kathleen Herman
on Jun 21, 2015
Northern Lights
on Jun 21, 2015
Duv310660
on Jun 21, 2015
Carole
on Jun 21, 2015
Ddwegkamp
on Jun 22, 2015
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