I have approximately 3 skunks that have set up housekeeping under my house. I have found where they are getting in, however I afraid to close up for fear they will die causing as big of a problem.

-- Gayle from Colorado (eichthaler@yahoo.com), September 04, 2001

Answers

wait til they come out at night, then spotlight and shoot (head shots are prefered). if shooting is not an option get some 220 conibear traps and some 5 gal buckets. place and prebait the buckets as far from everything as you can and still be close enough for the skunks to smell there way to it. put some skunk essence about 5-10 ft from the sets after you're sure they are hitting the buckets set the traps right in front so they have to stick their head through it to get the bait.

-- Pops (cindy556@devil-dog.com), September 04, 2001.

I used to have skunks burrowed under my house and I let them be. Sure, I smelled a little skunk if I was up at 2am and the windows were open, but I thought that was better than having them really let off their skunkhood if trapped--that would have smelled worse. Just a thought, Not necessarily the right one.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), September 04, 2001.

It's quite easy... Just play the radio just under the house close to where you think they are...I had squirrel in my attic and it worked in 2 nights... good luck.....

-- maureen (onemaur@yahoo.com), September 04, 2001.

i forgot to tell you the traps i mentioned will kill what they catch 98% of the time by snapping the neck or very rarely strangulation. strangulation happens when an animal bigger than the trap was designed for forces its head in. 220s are designed for coon & skunk sized critters so if you use them keep the cats and small dogs in. remember skunks do carry rabies and other diseases, as well as preying on small stock like poultry and rabbits.

-- Pops (cindy556@devil-dog.com), September 04, 2001.

Use a haveaheart or box trap. When trap is full you can release the neihbors cat unharmed. If the trapped animal is a skunk approach as you would a strang horse . Slowly talking gently place an old blanket over and around the trap. Now the choise is yours. Afew minutes in the pond teaching it to swim or removal and release at another location. Good Luck Jack

-- (jsweeney@northnet.org), September 04, 2001.

Skunks are nocturnal (mostly). Put a lightbulb on an extension cord and push it into the entry under your house. They will leave to get away from the constant 'daylight'.

-- Sandy in MN (onestonefarm@hotmail.com), September 04, 2001.

Try putting bowls of ammonia or ammonia-soaked rags where they are hanging around. They don't like this and should scoot.

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), September 04, 2001.

Skunks are great mousers, ratters and will eat moles too. However if you have a dog like I do and don't want the confrontation that is surely gonna result, just use the Have a heart trap. There is no need to slaughter everything that comes on your property, just relocate it.The secret to this method is just lightly covering the trap on all three sides leaving the front "trap" open( I use an old sheet). Put in a little cat food and water.I Set it where they come in and out. Once one, or more, is trapped(usually right after dark)I gently set the trap in a protected spot where other animals can't hassle them and early the next morning I take them up into the forest by water and let them or it go. Simple, don't have to shoot it, or poison it or anything else. These little creatures are good to have around and beat the heck out of rats and mice! Good luck. :)

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), September 04, 2001.

Throw quite a few moth balls under your house. I'd use a whole box. We got rid of them under a shed like this. They do not like the smell.

-- DW (djwallace@ctos.com), September 04, 2001.

We had a problem with opposums living under our house. We used live traps bacause of of the kitty cats. Over a 2 year peroid we trapped 28 opposums, 3 skunks and 1 coon. They all died of lead poisoning the same day they were caught.

-- Belle (gardenbelle@terraworld.net), September 04, 2001.

My solution is totally different. Dig a trench by the foundation and put chicken wire a foot down, a foot out _/ The skunks can get out but when they try to get back in, they will keep hitting fence. Works great

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), September 05, 2001.

Gayle--I have had this problem before. This is the solution: Wait until the little guys come out at night. When you are sure they are not under your house, place moth balls in and all around the entrance. As soon as they return THEY WILL NOT go back under your house!!!!!

-- Marky (anick1@erols.com), September 06, 2001.

I don't have an answer, but am looking for one. We have two under our deck and today they began fighting (and spraying). The whole house smelled as well as all our clothes. I have heard that once they spray it takes a while for them to build back up. Is this true? I have tried ultrasonics (annoyed me more than the skunks), fox and coyote urine, moth balls, chocolate, etc all to no avail. Trapping and moving them is not an option in Mass,,,,it's against the law to transport wild animals according to our useless animal control people. Today, they came out during the daylight and fought in the backyard until almost noon, then went back to hide. I'm not sure about the lights as the deck is loaded with them all around (and the daylight fighting!). Best I can hope for is to chicken wire around the deck when they go out and hope! Any other suggestions??

-- Rich Butler (Richjb54@yahoo.com), October 10, 2001.