OT: skunk! HELP!

I don't have any suggestions; we had the same thing last spring. He/ she just quit coming, maybe we did run out of grubs! The good thing about skunks is, they're naturally very docile. They're so confident in their ability to defend themselves (understandably!) that it usually takes a lot to irritate them enough they'll spray. I surprised this one several times by stepping out on the porch, and he/she would just look at me and totter off. I know they have a notorious reputation for being rabies carriers, but they *are* cute, I think.

Sherry

When we had that problem, I called the Idaho Fish and Game office. They said to sprinkle moth balls around the area where the skunk was visiting. It seemed to work. Guess skunks don't like stinky things! :-)

Donna in SW Idaho

I agree about their cuteness, Sherry. When we still lived in Kansas, we were treated to the sight of a mother skunk marching across our backyard with 5 little kits following in a line behind her. There had been a huge summer rain, I suspect she was moving them to higher ground.

I so wished I'd had my camera. However, I was in the above ground pool watching the parade and wasn't about to get out to get it! ;-)

Best regards, Michelle in NV

Skunks are mostly vegetarian.

There's a very informative webpage about keeping them as pets out there somewhere. They sound gorgeous but an unbelievable amount of work compared with almost any other kind of pet.

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We camped many happy times on an island just off of the Alabama coast. The skunks were in charge. They roamed and ate just as they pleased and if your lunch pleased them, you yielded. Nobody voiced an objection. They were gorgeous and apparently accustomed to total freedom. They never ever bothered anybody. You can bet your boots we didn't bother them. Polly

Well, I live in Skunk country and we keep a stock of mothballs and replenish it often. Moth balls work. We smell like a little old ladies closet certain times of the year, but I have been sprayed a few times as well as having one that found it's way on to our veranda and under a couch where it sprayed several times before it died. The house was unliveable for several days and to this day on a good day you can still smell a hint of skunk on the veranda. Live trapping is a nice thought but how would you prevent it from spraying your transport vehicle to set it free. They may not seem to spray too quickly, but around here we don't take those kind of chances. And no tomato juice does not remove the smell. * 1 quart 3% Hydrogen Peroxide * 1/4 cup Baking Soda * 1 tbsp Dishwashing Detergent (like Dawn, not dishwasher detergent) This works better. HTH Donna inNWONtario

well, thanks, everyone! I'm going to try the moth balls.

i'll let you know.

amy in CNY

I believe that's the recipe that works great.....except don't premix it and plan to store it. Evidently it becomes somewhat volatile.

Careful there, Amy. I have tried them personally but I seem to remember that moth balls are poisonous. Polly

well...going to work today i found "my kitty"....squished on the road. poor dear. about 1/2 mile from my house.

so that's that...

thanks everyone....good thing i didn't buy the moth balls.

amy in CNY

Ok...it took me a couple seconds. Poor "kitty".

Are you sure it was _your_ "kitty"?

It is not exactly like we have a shortage in these parts.

NightMist

Well, I suppose that happens a lot. :-(

Sherry

Yeah, i'm pretty sure....it's either mine or he/she hasn't come back because of the moth balls...either way...bye bye pepe'

amy in CNY