Well, unfortunately there isn’t really an across the board solution. Here are a few pretty good tips that might be right for you.

In this article, we won't get into the horrors of actually getting sprayed, this is more about preventing that.

The most obvious solution is to keep them out to begin with.

If you have a fence, you’re in pretty good shape.

The first thing you can do is go around the perimeter of your yard and block off potential entry points. Remember that skunks dig, a simple fence is no match for a hungry skunk.

Placing boards or wire mesh along the base of fencing is one of the best ways to keep skunks and other pests out of the yard, but make sure to bury it deep enough to prevent them from digging underneath.

If you don’t have a fence, here are some more creative solutions:

First, we have to understand these pungent pests.

Skunks are nocturnal, their favorite foods are insects and grubs that live in lawns and gardens.

A tell-tale sign of a skunk problem is waking up to small cone shaped holes in the grass or flowerbeds where they dig looking for food. Since skunks will generally sleep during the day, they will seek out cozy places to dig dens, like under decks, sheds, or your home.

Now that we understand what we’re dealing with, we need to go around the property and look for openings around the foundation of the home, such as vents and crawlspaces.

Drive them out

One of the best ways to make sure the skunks are out of the den is a simple balled up rag dipped in ammonia.

Take the bunched-up rag and toss it into the space you’re trying to clear. Give it a few hours and you should be good to block up the openings.

Beware, make sure the skunks are out before blocking the exits, otherwise you’ll have a dead skunk to deal with.

Keep them from coming back

Another highly attractive target for skunks are vegetable gardens, or under fruit trees. here are a few pretty good ways to deter skunks beside enclosing the space with fencing or wire.

1. Paprika or cayenne pepper, either works. Sprinkle it around or mix it with water and spray in flower beds or where fruit falls to the ground.

Note: After heavy rains you’ll need to reapply.

2. Cut up a bar of strongly scented soap (Irish Spring, etc.) and sprinkle it in the affected areas.

3. Citrus peels are also a good deterrent for skunks.

Most of the time these things will work temporarily and will need to be reapplied every now and then.

Another effective way to keep skunks away is to install bright motion activated lighting, skunks are not a fan of bright lights so this is really a great way to scare them off.

Also, a more expensive, but effective way to scare them off is to set your sprinklers to spray every now and then during the night.

If you’re still having a problem after trying all these options, it’s time to call a professional.

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