DIY home remedies to get rid of skunks in your garden

If you’ve been seeing or smelling skunks in your yard lately, you’re not alone. There are also a few home remedies you can use to keep them out.

The other night, I left my dog outside. As we walked around the yard, we got a little too close for the comfort of a skunk. Fortunately, the skunk took off in the opposite direction without spraying us. However, I really don’t want to take my chances in another situation like this anytime soon. That’s why I wanted to find ways to keep them out of my garden so I wouldn’t have to take one of those tomato juice baths.

Signs of skunks in your garden

I knew I had a skunk problem (aside from the random skunk smells I sometimes smelled) because I noticed several holes in my yard that looked like they had been dug by an animal. Skunks like to look for larvae, as they are one of the skunks’ favorite foods. If you’ve noticed any holes in your yard that look like an animal has been dug lately, you might have a skunk on your hands.

Other signs that you might have a skunk problem include looted trash cans, skunk tracks. and of course spot the black furry critters with white stripes. One thing you need to keep in mind is that they are nocturnal, so you won’t usually spot and smell them until after the sun goes down.

How to get rid of skunks in your garden

The first thing you should do is get rid of the things in your yard that attract skunks if you can. Some of these things include pet food, open garbage, plants, berries, nuts, and logs / shrubs. Also try to get rid of their food sources like larvae, earthworms and other insects. Essentially, you want to tidy your yard often if you have a skunk problem. However, if all else fails, there are other things you can try.

Obviously, you can set up traps, buy skunk repellant pellets, and call pest control. You can also try motion detectors or solar lights in your yard, as skunks are not fans of bright lights. These are all good options, but there might be some home remedies you can try that would also help keep them out of your garden.

Use citrus zest

While we humans love oranges and other citrus fruits, skunks hate the smell they give off. We hate the smell of skunks and if they take over your yard, it’s only fair that we send it away. So, try spreading the peels all over your garden and be sure to replace them when they dry out.

Homemade skunk repellant sprays

You can also create your own spy with things you may already have in your kitchen. All you need to do is boil a mixture of hot peppers, onions, jalapeño, cayenne pepper, and water for a few minutes before straining. Then, spray it in areas where the skunk might be attracted to your garden.

There is another type of repellant spray you can make to keep skunks away just by the smell. Try mixing some castor oil, dish detergent, and water. Put it in a spray bottle and spray it around your garden.

Ammonia

Ammonia is another thing commonly used to deter skunks from your garden due to its smell. Soak some rags and place them around your garden. One thing you need to keep in mind here is to make sure you keep your children and pets away from them, as ammonia is poisonous when ingested.

So if you are like me and have an unwanted skunk problem then try these home remedies. Again, if the problem persists after trying these tactics, it is best to call pest control to handle the situation.

(H / T- Predatory guard and Gardening, etc.