How to Effectively Get Rid of Skunks from Your Property

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Budgetanimal

Are skunks ruining your property? Nobody likes having to deal with these pesky critters, but unfortunately, they can be difficult to get rid of. Skunks are a common problem in many areas and can cause damage to lawns, gardens, and homes.

If you’re dealing with a skunk infestation on your property, there are steps you can take to effectively remove them. In this blog post we will discuss how to safely and humanely get rid of skunks from your property using various methods such as trapping and repellents. We will also provide tips for preventing future problems with skunks so that you don’t have to worry about them again!

Call 615-337-9165 For Licensed Skunk Trapping and Removal in Indianapolis, Indiana

Common Damages Caused by Skunks

First of all, it is important to understand the behavior and habits of skunks in order to effectively control them. Skunks are nocturnal creatures and will usually come out at night to forage for food. They mainly feed on insects, grubs, fruits, and small rodents. They will sometimes den under decks or porches, or ground burrows close to a home’s foundation if they can gain access. In addition to this, skunks may also damage property by digging up gardens and lawns in search of food.

Tips for Skunk Removal and Control

Once you have identified the problem area, there are several steps you can take to get rid of skunks from your property:

1. Environmental Modification – One of the most effective methods for skunk control is getting rid of anything that attracts skunks to your property. Through strategic environmental modification you can keep skunks and other types of wildlife away from your property. Remove any exposed or accessible food, including pet food. Also remove water sources. Consider installing devices that will scare skunks away, such as automatic sprinklers, motion-sensor lighting, or flood lights. You can also plant flowers and plants that skunks hate, such as marigolds, cucumbers, mint, and hot peppers.

2. Skunk Repellents – There are various types of repellents available on the market that can help keep skunks away from your property. These repellents usually contain natural ingredients such as garlic, peppermint oil, or cayenne pepper that emit a strong odor which skunks find unpleasant and stay away from. Make sure to reapply the repellent every few weeks to maintain its efficacy.

3. Skunk Exclusion – You can also use exclusion methods to get rid of skunks from your property. This involves sealing off any potential entry points with mesh or hardware cloth, removing food sources, and making sure there is no access to denning areas such as decks or porches.

4. Professional Wildlife Removal – If the above measures are not successful, you may want to consider hiring a professional Nashville wildlife removal company to help remove skunks from your property for good. A wildlife removal specialist will be able to identify the problem areas and safely and humanely remove any trapped skunks without harming them or your property in the process.

Get Rid of Skunks Safely and Humanely

By taking these steps you should be able to effectively get rid of skunks from your property. It is important to remember that prevention is the best way to avoid future problems with skunks, so make sure to take preventive measures such as sealing up potential entry points and removing food sources. If you need additional help with skunk control, contact a professional animal removal service for advice and assistance.

When nothing seems to keep nuisance wildlife away, you need professional animal removal service. Contact Budget Animal Removal at 615-337-9165 for TWRA licensed and insured Nashville, Tennessee critter control services you can afford.

How to Wash Your Dog if They are Sprayed By a Skunk

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Budgetanimal

Skunks use their anal scent glands to protect themselves from predators. And since dogs are curious by nature, they are often victims of skunk dousing. The same situation applies to cats as well. Fortunately, there are tried-and-true ways to de-skunk your pooch if they ever cross the line with a defensive skunk.

Continue reading to learn one method that seems to do the trick for most pet owners, and what you can do about getting rid of nuisance skunks on your Tennessee property.

Skunk Removal Nashville Tennessee 615-337-9165

Why Do Skunks Spray?

Understanding why skunks spray can help you defend your pet from future attacks. You see, skunks have this built-in weapon as their last line of defense against predators. Mothering skunks are more likely to spray attack, however, any skunk that is provoked too much will spray to gain freedom or space from whatever it is that is provoking them. Dogs are “sniffers” and like to get to know other animals by smelling their rear sides; skunks do not like this behavior and consider it a threat, making dogs a common victim of skunk spray attacks.

Skunk Smell Composition

So, what is it that you smell on your dog? The oily liquid that comes out of the anal glands is a chemical compound called a thiol. In fact, there are multiple types of thiols that make up the chemical composition of their spray, two of which are the root cause of the signature skunk odor. Since it is oil-based, the odor can linger for a long time. Also, it requires a certain approach to completely remove it from pet fur.

What You Need to Get Rid of Skunk Smell on Fur:

▷ Baking Soda
▷ White Distilled Vinegar
▷ Liquid Hand Soap
▷ 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Now Follow These Steps:

Check your dog’s eyes, mouth, and nose to ensure the spray has not come into contact in these areas. If they have, it can cause serious inflammation and irritation. Take your pooch to the vet right away if they were sprayed in these areas. Do not wait to clean them first. Your vet will also ensure that they were not bitten or scratched in addition to the spray attack.

If your dog’s eyes, mouth, and nose are okay, you can continue by thoroughly rinsing them with clean water. It is recommended to do this outdoors, NOT in a bathtub or shower. If you bring them indoors, the smell will come inside with them! It can be made worse if your pooch decides to jump on your bed or couch!

After the rinse, mix together 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of liquid hand soap (do not use detergent). Generously bathe your dog in the solution, and then rinse them clean with warm water. You may need to repeat this step 3 to 4 times, depending on the strength of the smell.

Once your pet dries, you can finish the job with a little pet perfume, available at any local pet store. Or you can get their hair trimmed to remove any lingering, odorous fibers. For really strong, lingering smells, you can finish their fur with some natural essential oil, like lavender or lemon. Just put a few drops in a spray bottle with water, and then spray their coat while avoiding the eyes and nose.

Are you tired of the nuisance skunk activity on or around your property? Take action by safely diverting their interest away from your premises with our help! Contact us at 615-337-9165 for TWRA licensed and insured Nashville, TN critter control for skunks and more. We serve commercial clients, too!

How to Get Rid of a Skunk Problem

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Have you been scratching your head, trying to figure out a way to stop pesky skunks from trespassing onto your property? Has your dog been sprayed one too many times by a skunk that seems to never go away? Are you fed up with that distinct skunk smell outside of your house every day? If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to read this article.

Continue reading to learn effective methods for skunk removal and control that you can implement as soon as today!

Indianapolis Skunk Removal and Control 317-875-3099

What You Need to Know About Having a Skunk Problem

There are certain steps a homeowner can take that will make their property seem undesirable to skunks and other pesky critters. As long as you take the proper steps and precautions, you should have no problem abating a skunk presence on your property. Just remember that you should never, under any circumstances whatsoever, attempt to trap, touch, or harm skunks in any way.

Avoid tampering with their environment altogether, until you have the proper assistance and resources for safe animal extraction. Not only is this illegal to harm or trap skunks in Indiana without a proper permits and training, but it is also unethical because it can be dangerous to both skunk and person. But not to worry, as there are several safe and humane ways to get rid of skunks in Indianapolis other than killing or harming them.

Check Under the Porch or Patio First

Keep in mind that the most common area for a skunk to hang out is under the front porch or patio. For some unknown reason, they prefer these dark, cooler areas. Probably a means to protect themselves and their young from being visible to predators; but the problem is, they are usually invisible to us as well. So now you know that if you cannot figure out where a skunk is on your property, but you smell it, it is most likely underneath the porch or deck.

Do-It-Yourself Skunk Control Tips

If you know there are no skunks beneath your porch or patio, go ahead and block off all access point so they cannot make this area their home in the future. Be diligent with this because skunks can surprisingly squeeze through some very small spaces.

Never leave pet food or dishes outside. This is a free, easy, and tasty snack for skunks and many other wild animals. If you have bags of pet food in your shed or garage, be sure to lock them up.

Remove all other food sources from your property, including bird feeders and squirrel feeders.

If you have a garden, always be sure to install fencing around them to prevent skunks from accessing any crops.

Never take the trash out the night before garbage pickup day. And always secure the trash can lids to prevent animals from smelling food and enticing them to find it.

Eliminate hiding spots for skunks by keeping tall grass and weeds mowed. If they cannot hide, they will not enter the premises at all.

Finding Mother and Baby Skunks on Your Property

As for yourself, there are many Do-It-Yourself methods to preventing skunks from living on or around your home, however, if you find a colony of baby and mother skunks, you must call a local Indianapolis animal control company for professional assistance. They use sage and humane methods to extract skunks and relocate them to a faraway and safer habitat.

To get rid of skunks and other nuisance wildlife on your property, you need a professional touch. Contact Budget Animal Removal at 317-875-3099 for DNR licensed and insured skunk removal service in Indianapolis, Indiana today. We serve residential and commercial clients.

You Might Also Enjoy:

Frequently Asked Questions About Nuisance Skunks
Why You Should Never Adopt a Wild Animal
Non-Toxic Repellent Recipe for Nuisance Wildlife

What You Need to Know About Skunk Spraying

Posted on April 12, 2021 by Budgetanimal

Now that spring is here, you can be sure to spot more and more wildlife as the season progresses. A common occurrence this time of year is nuisance skunk activity; after all, this is prime skunk mating season. If you smell that tale-tell odor of skunk spray around your property, it is likely a male skunk marking his mating territory. Furthermore, if you have curious outdoor pets, like cats or dogs, you would be wise to take extra precaution for avoiding nasty, lingering skunk spray attacks.

In fact, continue reading to learn what you need to know about skunk spraying, as well as how to get rid of skunks on and around your property.

Nashville Tennessee Skunk Removal and Control 615-337-9165

What is in Skunk Spray?

Skunk spray is a naturally-produced chemical called N-butlymercaptan, which is a pungent combination of thiols (traditionally called mercaptans), and various other sulfur-based compounds. Sulfur odors are often compared to the smell of rotten eggs.

The spray is produced and excreted from their anal scent glands, which are located just alongside the ear-end. For this reason, skunks must lift their tails to eject their spray. You know when a skunk is prepared to spray because they display a certain “dance”, which involves hissing, stomping, and puffing up their fir. Consider this a warning!

Skunks Spray as a Means of Defense

Skunk spray is produced solely for defense purposes. Skunks can accurately spray up to 15 feet. They tend to spray when they feel threatened, or when protecting their young. As a very pungent chemical mix, skunk spray can cause severe eye irritation, and even temporary blindness. It will not, however, cause any other significant health problems or injuries. If sprayed in the face by a skunk, wash your eyes and face off immediately.

Interestingly enough, skunks will not spray other skunks, but they will spray anything else, including curious pets and children. Another interesting fact about skunk spraying is that it takes up to a week to restore their spray reserves after excreting them. For this reason, skunks really do not want to spray; they only do when they feel like they absolutely have to.

Removing Skunk Smell

If skunk spray comes into contact with clothing, skin, or fur, the odor can linger for days, and even weeks at a time. When this happens, try combining one quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon mild dishwashing detergent, and 1/4 cup baking soda. Then simply rinse, wash, repeat as many times as needed.

How to Get Rid of Nuisance Skunks

Skunks are a nuisance, and for many reasons. Not only will they spray your pets, but they will also rip up your lawn and garden for grubs and more. The best way to protect your property from skunks is to stop them from trespassing onto your yard altogether. Do this by outsourcing professional Nashville TV critter control service for skunks.

Do you need to get rid of nuisance skunks? Contact Budget Animal Removal at 615-337-9165 for TWRA licensed and insured Nashville, Tennessee critter control for skunks. We serve residential and commercial clients.

You Should Also Read:

How to Scare Raccoons Off Your Property in Tennessee
What To Do if You Find a Dead Animal in the Yard
How to Get Rid of Birds in the Chimney