Although I live in the middle of a large metropolitan city, I have somewhat of a problem with critters taking up residence in my yard. There are a couple of large cedar trees and some bushy areas. Up to this point, the worse problem has been raccoons. Now there appears to be a skunk.

I was working on one of the Fieros in the yard and I heard something moving quietly in my carport. I thought it was the neighbor's cat. I was quite surprised to see a large skunk come out from under my '87 coupe (which is raised with the cradle dropped). It was no more than six feet away from where I was standing, and although it didn't seem the least bit concerned about me, I was certainly concerned about it!

The skunk sort of wandered around checking everything out. It was aware of me, but I was standing very still. For at least a minute it calmly lapped collected rainwater from out of the inside of the '87 coupe's rear bumper which was lying on the ground. The skunk then toddled off to an area between the houses which is filled with ferns this time of year, and the next thing I know the neighbor's cat (an adolescent) comes over and proceeds to stalk the skunk. I expected fireworks, but the cat was content to just watch the skunk from a distance of about three feet and the skunk didn't seem to care less.

For obvious reasons, I don't want the skunk taking up residence in my yard. I don't wish to be under one of the Fieros and discover myself nose to nose (or worse) with one of these critters.

Any advice as to making the skunk feel unwelcome? No, I'm not going to shoot it.

I misread and thought you said "drunk".

It seems from the cartoons, to get a black female cat and paint a white stripe on her.... wait that is to attract them

So far you guys have been a lot of help.

quote Originally posted by Patrick: No, I'm not going to shoot it.

Patrick, no offense but your next best bet would be to be a skunk abortion advocate. Skunks are not endangered. Animals need to be culled. Skunks have babies.
Your other choices would be to rid the skunk of the attraction you provide, or, introduce a natural predator and let it kill the skunk, trap and relocate it (possibly passing on the problem to someone else).

quote Originally posted by Patrick: ... the next thing I know the neighbor's cat (an adolescent) comes over and proceeds to stalk the skunk. I expected fireworks, but the cat was content to just watch the skunk from a distance of about three feet and the skunk didn't seem to care less.

Oh, the cat cared and the skunk didn't as you said. Smart cat. My Doberman once greeted me with a skunk it killed, outside my door, first thing in the morning. Dumb dog. Well, it was only once/the last time. Same with porcupines (two different Dobermans) 'cept the porcupines lived on.

I've heard of people sprinkling around moth balls, especially under decks will keep racoons and skunks away.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: Patrick, no offense but your next best bet would be to be a skunk abortion advocate.

Cliff, was that comment (with no smiley faces) really necessary here? Politics aside, I don't own a gun (not that I'd necessarily want to use it in this situation).

quote Originally posted by Wichita: I've heard of people sprinkling around moth balls, especially under decks will keep racoons and skunks away.

Thanks Wichita, that's more like the type of advice I was looking for.

quote Originally posted by Wichita: I've heard of people sprinkling around moth balls, especially under decks will keep racoons and skunks away.

Actually that does help, use it around my plants. Larger garden centers have stuff to keep animals away too.

Okay, two votes for moth balls!

Moth balls and tomato juice, in case anyone gets sprayed.

We had one living under our shed for a few years, never bothered anyone, it would just leave at night and come back in the morning. We would be 10-15' from it and it didn't even take notice of us. So.... can't help you much.

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: ...it would just leave at night and come back in the morning.

Yeah, skunks are supposed to be nocturnal, which is one reason why I was kind of surprised that this critter was foraging in my yard at four in the afternoon!

BB Gun or poison or Trap it and wait for it to die.Read this:
http://www.ehow.com/list_63...skunks-raccoons.html

Moth balls may not work.Read here,line #15.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=348067
Response:For the family of skunks, I tried the ammonia and I tried mothballs but it didn't faze 'em (maybe they're just immune to powerful bad smells ). So I waited until after dark, when they were all out on food patrol, and blocked up their den with bricks. They relocated.

If you dont have any animals,pets or children, a little radiator fluid (diluted with water) , and sugar mixed with oat meal should work.

[This message has been edited by James Bond 007 (edited 06-01-2012).]

A dog would certainly keep the skunk away but you would probably have to deal with a sprayed dog.

You can also set a live animal trap for it. You will probably catch a few neighborhood cats with it too. Once you get the skunk in the trap, throw an old blanket or tarp over the trap, pick it up and relocate the skunk.

You might be able to get some help from your local animal control. Give them a call and ask them what to do. They might even pick up the skunk if you trap it.

JB007, some good info there.

I guess I'm just too soft, but I don't want to kill the skunk. I might feel differently if it sprayed me, but it hasn't. I've spent my whole life appreciating animals and wild life, so I'm not about to kill some animal that's simply wandered into my yard looking for a snack. I just don't want it to move in full time!

Using the moth balls (or naphtha flakes) to repel the skunk is looking to me like the way to go.

Just play some Cher music on a loop in the garage,,,,,,,,,,,


I would not want to kill it either

quote Originally posted by Red88FF: Just play some Cher music on a loop in the garage,,,,,,,,,,,

Hey, I've got to live here too!!!

It's there because there is something it wants--probably something it likes to eat. Eliminate that food source.

Otherwise, get a live trap, and relocate the critter but even then, you will likely have to deal with unpleasant odors while handling the entrapped animal in the trap.

Skunks btw, are usually pretty nocturnal. I've always been told to be very wary of one out in broad daylight, and have never seen but a couple in daylight hours in my whole life. google "rabid skunk".

+1 for the live animal trap and skunk relocation program. Did it with chipmunks last year.

Make sure you take them over 5 miles away and wrap a tarp around the cage so you do not get sprayed.

I would be concerned the skunk was out in the daylight though.

I may be wrong but always heard they were sick if they were out during the day.

I’ve had to do the pellet gun execution on a couple of them that have been out during the day (were sick/ill).

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Skunks btw, are usually pretty nocturnal. I've always been told to be very wary of one out in broad daylight, and have never seen but a couple in daylight hours in my whole life. google "rabid skunk".

quote Originally posted by mike-ohio: I would be concerned the skunk was out in the daylight though. I may be wrong but always heard they were sick if they were out during the day.

Yes, this does concern me.

I haven't been out in the yard today. I'm hoping it's already moved on, but I'll be looking (and sniffin') for it!

another option is to catch it, box it up well, and ship it to Newf or MeM

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Cliff, was that comment (with no smiley faces) really necessary here?

No and no smiley face was needed for my reply. It was not a political comment. Like I said, they have babies.
Go ahead, try your mothballs. They will procreate on the fringe of your mothballs. They will learn to tolerate them. Shoot one now or a hundred later ?
I'd kill it. Disclaimer, ... we had a mouse in the house. My doberman cornered it, after alerting us to something being there for about three weeks. I caught it live and wanted to release it elsewhere. It would've took a trip to Canada for my wife to agree. She made me promise that I would kill it. I did it and felt bad, but I don't regret it. I am a creature/nature lover.
I offered other non political solutions. My comment was in jest. Sorry I offended you.

quote Originally posted by cliffw: I offered other non political solutions. My comment was in jest. Sorry I offended you.

Okay Cliff, I apologize for jumping on you. There are other recent events going on here (at home) that have made me a little irritable.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 06-01-2012).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: another option is to catch it, box it up well, and ship it to Newf or MeM

Boy....is Canada Post gonna love him or what?

quote Originally posted by Doni Hagan: Boy....is Canada Post gonna love him or what?

No problem, Canada Post handles everything... including body parts.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: another option is to catch it, box it up well, and ship it to Newf or MeM

Thanks for the idea of the free meal, Don....but I have tried skunk. It ranks RRIIGGHHTTT up there with possum on my list of things not to order in a restaurant ...but sending it to Newf might be an idea, if those east-coasters will make out with a dead cod, they will put ANYTHING in their mouths !!!

<j/k...I actually like salt cod and screetch, I just dont kiss the fish before eating it .....LMAO !!!!>

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Okay Cliff, I apologize for jumping on you.

I can understand it , if I did think you jumped on me. Common courtesy allows you an opinion.

Not sure why the guys were giving you a hard time.

Your local garden/tool store should have something . (I cannot remember the name) of a bio friendly repellant. (it's got dried animal blood etc.. makes critters think the place is unholy or something)
Works great.. just have to remember to refresh after rainfall.
Been using it around my grapes and raspberry plants and have eliminated foragers from stealing.

I would still vote for a good pellet gun. It makes very little noise and the pump up type can be set at various degrees of pain and/or lethality to discourage the skunk from remaining in your area.

Nelson

quote Originally posted by Uaana: Not sure why the guys were giving you a hard time. Your local garden/tool store should have something . (I cannot remember the name) of a bio friendly repellant. (it's got dried animal blood etc.. makes critters think the place is unholy or something) Works great.. just have to remember to refresh after rainfall. Been using it around my grapes and raspberry plants and have eliminated foragers from stealing.

Well, if you wanna go the puzzy route, yeh--dried coyote urine will do the trick http://www.shake-away.com/ .....but I still go with the pellet gun idea...loaded with darts...POISON DARTS...and a hopped-up charging system so it would blast thru a 1-inch-plank...or a Lewis and Clark pumped all the way up that will turn that skunk into chop-skunky.......BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....oopppsss, ok. gotta go file down my horns, they are starting to show again.

http://www.skunkrepellent.net/

We had big problems last summer.

I found lots of info on this site.

Orange peels seemed to work.

Pee on it, really or if you don’t have the balls for that just pee in jug and poor it all around, yours, you wife’s and kids, the dogs pee.

Free the pee!

It is supposed to work.
Unless you are seeing it in the day time, if you are it is rabid and shoot it or get someone to,
SSS
Shoot,
Shovel and
Shut up.
Don’t get any blood on you, Don’t!

Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

quote Originally posted by MidEngineManiac: Well, if you wanna go the puzzy route, yeh--dried coyote urine will do the trick http://www.shake-away.com/ .....but I still go with the pellet gun idea...loaded with darts...POISON DARTS...and a hopped-up charging system so it would blast thru a 1-inch-plank...or a Lewis and Clark pumped all the way up that will turn that skunk into chop-skunky.......BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....oopppsss, ok. gotta go file down my horns, they are starting to show again.

I live in a Liburl community.. Got the cops called out on me for plinking with an airsoft.. So was going with the least intrusive method.

That and I don't really want to sit up until 3 am to snipe critters.. I've got to be to work by 8:30 ish.

[This message has been edited by Uaana (edited 06-01-2012).]

Just reread some of your posts it is rabid, call who ever, animal control or the forest service or the Mounties, or who ever takes care of those kinds of things. The cat not going near it is a dead giveaway. If they do shoot it make sure they clean up all the blood it is contagious as well. I have been lucky when I have had to shoot them, head shot and the stink glands don’t explode.
its RABID get rid of it.
Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

Well, it's not neccessarily rabid just because it is out in the daytime, tho that is an indicator it "might" be. It could also be, since it IS in a metropolitan area, that it has simply lost (or never acquired) it's fear of humans. Coyotes, deer, and feral hogs are also normally nocturnal, but with encroachment by US upon their areas, they very frequently come out in the open in daylight--even in cities.
It is very possible, that every human it has encountered is like Patrick, (hesitant to harm it) thus it has never been shot at, or otherwise treated in such a way to make it believe it needs to stay hidden until dusk.

I was thinking you could trap it in a cardboard box and then print up a Fed-X "AIR" label and ..............................

Or plan "B", If It Fits, It Ships For A Low Flat Rate. USPS

Sorry,, I should be punished.

Spoon

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"Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut

quote Originally posted by Marko: http://www.skunkrepellent.net/

Aw man, I don't like this topic!