Natural Skunk Repellent Methods

As the days grow longer and the chill in the air starts to wear off, many areas of the country will start to see signs of the animal everyone loves to hate, skunks.  It could be a whiff of skunk smell you catch in the air, or finding holes in your yard that were not there yesterday, skunks will let you know they are out of hibernation.  As we welcome the warmer weather, we also need to be prepared for the spring activity that comes with it.

The variety of skunk repellent methods people use to deter skunks from their property range from basic and easy fixes to elaborate, professional remediation.  This article will focus on the natural and homemade ways of keeping skunks out of your yard, away from your pets, and free from under outside structures, such as a shed or deck.

Make a Skunk Spray

Castor Spray

■1 Cup Castor Oil
■1 Cup Liquid Dish Soap
■1 Gallon Water
■Spray Bottle

Mix Castor oil, dish soap, and water together, then pour into a spray bottle.  Spray the skunk repellent on the lawn to deter skunks from digging holes while looking for grubs.  This method is particularly effective to prevent skunks from entering the area.

Cayenne Pepper Spray

■1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
■1 Chopped Yellow Onion
■1 Chopped Jalapeno Pepper
■2 Quarts Water
■Spray Bottle
■Strainer

Bring the water, cayenne pepper, chopped yellow onion, and chopped jalapeno pepper to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.  Allow to cool, then strain into an empty bowl.  Using a funnel, pour the mixture into the spray bottle.  Spray the perimeter of the house, shed, or other outbuildings several times a week for at least two weeks.

Be especially careful with this homemade mixture of ingredients, as the cayenne pepper could be harmful to children if ingested in large quantities.

Keep Skunks Away Naturally

As a victim of the damage that skunk’s can cause, I have tried more than a few different ways to get rid of them, and KEEP them away.  Some worked better than others, some not at all.  The ones listed here are natural methods that DO work, although each situation may be different.

Ammonia - If you have pets, encourage them to urinate around the perimeter of the yard.  Skunks have a natural aversion to another animals ammonia scent, which will help keep them moving along.  Although this method is free if you have pets, homeowners can also purchase it in some pet stores.

Citrus Smells – Place the peels of lemons or oranges around the perimeter of the yard, or even around an outside structure like a shed.  The only problem with this type of skunk repellent is that the air dries the peels out quickly.  In order to keep the skunks away, you will have to continuously replace the peels.

Try these different methods by themselves or in any combination and see what works best for you.

GREEN/Environmentally Friendly SAFE natural SKUNK Odor-Smell Remover-Eliminator! US $18.89 Auction Ends: Tuesday Jun-18-2013 21:02:42 PDT   | Watch this Item