We have a family of skunks living in the culvert under our driveway.
Not sure how to get rid of them.
They come up very close to the house at night and I'm afraid they're going to get into it with my dogs.
There are professionals that remove them, but they are expensive.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
UGH.. I would call the professionals myself.
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
I put around ammonia soaked rags and they leave within 12 hours. that has been my experience.
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Wouldn't you know, I threw out a big bottle of ammonia the other day, thinking I would never use it Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Tutu!!!! You didnt recommend ME??? I AM THE EXPERT!!!
Right lisa?
They dont like noise. Esp voices. Light. Or the smell of ammonia. It is a problem wuth the babies tho. I would put all three (radio talk or sport station, lights at night and bowls of ammonia with some soaked raggs(if you put a ling skinny rag end in bowl it wicks ammonia a long time
That might encourage them to go the other way...away frtom your house. They dont like to move until babies are a certain age
Good luck. Stock up on tomato juice just in case!
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
IF there is any food source around remove it like dog or cat food they can get to.
Amonia sounds good to make them move away
Live traps can work too. if you cover them while removing to a different locale they dont spray
Needs much advance planning
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
kayak- yes, I learned my trick from you!!!
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
No food left out, they just seem to be finding something in the grass that they like.
If we can't get rid of them using ammonia etc, I think I'll have to call the expert to come trap them for me.
We are in a really bad area for rabid skunks, so I don't want to get close enough to trap and move them myself.
They do have babies, so that could be a problem.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Linky- Yes, rabies should be a sincere concern- along with getting sprayed. But, rabies is the bigger concern here so I am sharing my story...
I had to have help- nearly the entire fire department with shot guns and pick up trucks (that was fun) roaming the farm- trying to round up 2 rabid skunks after they tried to attack the kids- sent them running home from the bus stop- and then went after the dogs when they heard the commotion and came running home.
One skunk they were able to shoot and it tested positive- but the other eventually died and was found later.
Reasoning- if I could find the skunks and have them tested within 2 or maybe it was 3 days I might not have had to get rabies shots- so the guys volunteered to come help. But since the one they shot was positive I had to get the rabies shots anyhow.
The skunks actually kept ramming the screen door trying to get in the house after the kids when they came running in. They were right on their heels too- they barely made it indoors. I could hear them (kids) screaming coming up the dirt road. Had to close the wooden door to keep them (the skunks, not the kids) out.
I tried not to, but ended up getting in the middle when the dogs came running home - they would have killed the dogs if I hadn't- and in the process I was scratched in several places deep enough to draw blood.
Of course my guns were in the truck at the time and the skunks were between me and the truck. (Hunting season.)
I am not telling you to shoot them, but if you have a gun please keep it in the house so it is accessible if needed. If they go rabid they can suddenly attack- THEN you'd need to shoot them, and afterward, do NOT touch them.
And please know, the rabies shots are not fun and they cost a lot (more than removing the skunks professionally), but without them you can die. And by taking the shots you could die. It is not a good position to be in.
Dogs had to get additional rabies vaccines- even though they were up to date- one immediately and one a while later. Then they had to be quarantined- new separate pens for all- for SIX months. We were not allowed inside the double walled pens and had to have a running yard for them- all enclosed of course. Lots of money and hard times!
So please be careful!
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Ive seen raccoons like that. I think you should call for help linky. Too much risk. They stick there nose in ground for grubs and also love many bulbs.
But depending on age of babies you cant be sure how they will act
I got rid if a skunk and a very bold woodchuck with the ammonia rags. But it was just one at a time
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Once when i had the farm a fox had her babies in a culvert up the street. When they were old enough we saw them popping in and out of the culvert. They seemed healthy and stayed away frim humans luke helthy critters. Soooo cute!
I always wondered tho...isnt thst a stupid place to have babies? Wht if it rains?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Tincup, that is a horrible story!! I sort of remember your having to have rabies shots. They would probably kill me. So awful!!
Kayak .. I didn't remember you had a skunk too. You have more critters than the whole state of Texas. (just exaggerating a bit)
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
My brother got bit by a bat when paintung house way up on ladder. No way to catch the bat so he had to have the shots
Very glad i did not have that experience
I did get sprayed by a skunk when walking the schnauzers one morning. I had to call into work and take a bath with the dogs and tomato juice.
I could write a kids book about my adventures with critters
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Kayak is a critter expert. Not by choice, but out of necessity!
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
they are after the grubs. Get rid of them and some troubles will leave.
they also have a garlic spray for skeeters and snakes...might work on striped kittens
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Tincup, wow, scary story
Hubby's co-workers told him to put out fox urine, so he put it all around the perimeter of the yard yesterday.
We didn't see them tonight.
Hope they are gone for good.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
When i put out fox urine i watched many (hundreds?) Of chipmunks leave...right down the road....but the skunk stayed
Hope yours stay gone!
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Ipkayak, haven't seen any chipmunks, but have not seen the skunks for the past two nights.
Fingers crossed!
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
great, now i am worried skunks will be running after us! they keep coming back!
what can I do? ammonia chases them away, but yuck they always return. should I jsut remove the entire bush area they are in love with???? but who can I get to do this for me. haha I will not do it. no way
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Maybe removing the bush might be the answer, since they won't have a 'home' to return to.
Do you have any kids in the neighborhood that might want to make a few dollars for taking it out for you?
The fox urine seems to be working here still. Haven't seen one in three nights.
They sure can be a nuisance.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
They will probably just move to another bush. Usually they dig down and make a burrow. If you are seeing them during day tht is very strange behavior and they may besick. You could call wildlife ...u tried to do it yourself
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
I never see them, but I can smell them.. it is right next to our patio out back right up against the house! and the smell is much stronger now than it was before. I was throwing the dog poop in there too. haha. it did nothing.
what is the best time of day to take out bush? wont it wake up and spray!!??? o my I don't need this on my plate. I told everyone in the house if it comes after them to run like hell because of rabies. I am also worried about the dog.
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
If the skunks are actually living in the bush, I would call an expert to get rid of them.
Being that close to the house is too close for comfort IMHO.
Too much risk with rabies, getting sprayed etc.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
We had a skunk laying under a vehicle and would not leave. We called someone to remove it. No one wanted to go near it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
So where do you guys buy fox urine? Inquiring minds want to know!
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Hubby got it at Academy Sports.
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Faithful, they're ornery little buggers.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
We have someone who comes when wildlife causes problems. ..like a dog catcher...but for wild animals. Theyusually sleep during day....forage at night
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Back in my outdoorsy days, we were camping in Smokey Mtn. NP.
Just as the sun was going down, and everyone was in the campground cooking supper, out came the skunks, dozens of them.
I was sitting in a lawn chair with a steak and baked potato, ready to eat, when one came up and took the potato off of my plate.
Wasn't gonna tell him he couldn't have it.
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
that is just crazy linky!!!!!!!
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Wow linky...you have me beat. They are really neat when helthy. Very graceful. I used to have this little tiny camper. It was basically a metal teardrop bed on wheels with two doors to get in. Then you attachvthis 10x10 tent/screen room so you cango back and forth to bed and living area without getting wet ir buggy.
Anyway i was awakened one night to noises in the tent part. A skunk had gotten in and was climbing and searching everywhere looking for food. I quietly watched for a long time. Keeping a hand on my shaunzer who was really into barking at strangers. The skunk left without finding anything or spraying.
I still remember the graceful movements tho. Very distinctice
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
yeah, skunks are cute. like Pepe le Pew.
I got some guy and he is setting a trap. tomorrow. I hope this goes well. if it goes in trap will it spray if you go near it?
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
U see ually they wont spray when confuned...but you might have to put towel over it or something
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Ipkayak, people in the campground were feeding them, which was the absolute wrong thing to do.
No wonder the place was so overrun by them.
Lisa, I wouldn't get that close myself.
Is the guy setting the trap going to remove it for you?
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
yes, he just dropped trap now. we put rotten fruit in it. I hope it comes. and he is taking it away, yes.
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Lisa, good luck!
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Lisa, did you catch him yet?
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
no! not even a nibble. gggrrrrr. I don't smell it right now though either. what the heck? maybe it heard me planning its demise!!!!!!!!!!
hahaaaaaa
I keep having dreams of a rabid skunk running after me. I don't know if I could be fast enough to out run it!
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
any suggestions for bait???
I put in apples and peaches yesterday. well, it was the skin with some flesh.
is that ok?
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Idk...they like digging for grubs and perrenil bulbs
Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
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