6 Steps on How to Get Rid of Skunks Fast

If you want to get rid of skunks fast, first find where they’re hiding and close off all the ways out except one. Then put some peanut butter by that open spot to lure them out, and toss a few mothballs nearby because skunks hate that smell.  When they leave, make sure to seal up all holes so they don’t come back again.

 

You know that awful smell that suddenly shows up in the yard? It creeps in quietly, usually near the porch, deck, or crawl space, and then your dog starts acting weird or worse, comes back smelling like a nightmare. 

 

Yep, you probably have a skunk in your yard. And if you’re like most people, your first thought is how to get rid of skunks fast before things get worse. The good news? 

 

There are simple and safe ways to do it without getting sprayed by their awful smell and without making a big mess in your yard. In this blog, we’ll cover the skunk removal process, how to stop them from coming back, and when to call a pro.

First, Why are Skunks Even Here?

Skunks usually come looking for food or a cozy place to sleep. They’re shy, but when threatened or surprised, they spray. And trust us, even one spray is nasty. If you’ve got:

 

• Pet food or trash outside

 

• Grubs in your lawn

 

• A nice dark crawl space or under-porch area

 

then your home is a skunk’s dream vacation spot. That’s why learning how to deter skunks and keep them away is so important.

Here are the Crucial Steps on How to Get Rid of Skunks Fast

So, how do you get rid of skunks fast? Let’s follow the steps below.

 

Step 1: Confirm the Skunks are Actually There

Before you do anything, you need to make sure it’s really a skunk causing the problem. 

 

You’ll often notice a strong, bad smell that you can’t miss. Look for small, cone-shaped holes in your lawn where they dig for bugs. You might also see your trash cans knocked over or opened, little paw prints with claws around, or hear noises under your porch or deck at night. 

 

Sometimes, you might even spot a skunk hiding in a den under your deck or shed. Once you see these signs, you know it’s time to do something about the skunks.

 

Step 2: Try the Peanut Butter and Moth Ball Trick (Yes, Really!)

This simple skunk removal trick works better than you’d expect. Here’s what to do:

 

Block All But One Exit

Skunks don’t like to be trapped, but they do need a clear way out. First, check your crawl space, under your porch, or shed. Find all the possible ways skunks are coming in and out.

 

Now block all the exits except one. Leave one path open for them to escape.

 

Bait Them with Peanut Butter

Put a spoonful of peanut butter near that one exit. Skunks love it. The idea is to attract them to the exit so they can leave on their own.

 

Scare Them Off with Moth Balls

Toss some mothballs near their hideout. Skunks hate the smell! After a few minutes, they’ll get annoyed and leave, usually looking quite grumpy.

 

Do not mix the peanut butter with mothballs. Keep them separate. Peanut butter draws them out, and the mothballs drive them away.

 

Step 3: Seal Everything Up Tight

 

Alright, once the skunks are out of your yard, the next important thing is to stop them from coming back. 

 

You need to block every place they might use to sneak in again. Check under your porch, shed, or deck and cover any open spots using strong wire mesh or metal sheets. 

 

If there’s a crawl space, cover the entrance with a tough screen or barrier. If your soil is soft, dig a few inches down and bury the mesh so skunks can’t dig back in. 

 

In cold areas, go even deeper because skunks try harder to find warm places. This kind of sealing is what professionals call an exclusion service, which just means closing every way an animal could get into your space. 

 

A little tip here—use galvanized hardware cloth. It’s strong, it lasts through bad weather, and skunks cannot chew through it.

 

Step 4: Remove Anything That Attracts Skunks

Now that the skunks are gone and you’ve sealed up their entry points, let’s make your yard a place they don’t want to come back to. 

 

First, bring pet food indoors or take the bowls inside at night. Make sure your trash cans are closed tight, using strong lids or even straps if needed. Skunks dig for bugs called grubs, so treat your lawn to get rid of those. 

 

If you feed birds, try to clean up any birdseed that falls on the ground. Also, pick up any woodpiles, old junk, or overgrown plants where skunks might want to hide. 

 

When your yard becomes boring with no food and no hiding spots, the skunks will go somewhere else.

 

Step 5: Add Motion Lights and Repellents

So, how to get rid of skunks in your yard? 

 

Skunks like dark, quiet places, and they come out mostly at night. So if you really want to scare them off, light and smell can help. Motion-activated lights are great because when they turn on suddenly, they startle the skunks and make them leave. 

 

You can also use skunk repellents. These are sprays that smell like predators or strong homemade mixes like garlic water or cayenne pepper and water. 

 

But remember, these smells don’t last forever. Skunks might get used to them after a while. That’s why it’s best to use these along with the other steps, like sealing up holes and removing food sources. 

 

That’s how to keep skunks away for good.

 

Step 6: If You Find One in Your House… Stay Calm

Okay, if you ever find a skunk inside your garage, crawl space, or even your house, don’t freak out. Stay calm. 

 

First, keep your pets and kids away so they don’t scare the skunk. Then, open doors or windows so the skunk has a way to get out on its own. Do not yell, chase it, or throw anything. Skunks spray when they get scared, and that smell is no joke. 

 

If the skunk doesn’t leave or is stuck, call a skunk control service. They have the right tools and know what to do so no one gets hurt and the skunk can be removed safely.

What About Skunk Traps?

Skunk traps are another option, but you need to be very careful. These are live traps that catch the animal without hurting it. You bait it, the skunk goes in, and the door closes.

 

But here’s the catch:

 

• You might get sprayed.

 

• It could be illegal to trap and move skunks where you live.

 

• Trapping without experience is risky and often not allowed.

 

• This is another reason why hiring a skunk control service is a smart move.

Should You Do This Yourself or Call a Pro?

Let’s be honest. If you’re dealing with one skunk and feel confident, you can try the peanut butter and mothball trick and seal things up on your own.

 

But you should call a wildlife professional if:

 

• You have a whole family of skunks

 

• One is inside your home, or stuck

 

• They keep coming back

 

• Any of them look sick or aggressive.

 

Skunk removal isn’t just about smell. Skunks can carry rabies and other diseases. Professionals use safe traps, follow local rules, and remove skunks without anyone getting hurt or sprayed.

 

Also, if a skunk left behind a mess, smell, or health risk, our Biohazard Cleanup service at SOS Restoration is here for you. We handle everything safely, fast, and with care, so you don’t have to worry. 

 

Call us now at 888-538-4280 for a free estimate and quick help from our expert team.

Important Extra Tips People Often Miss

There are a few extra things people often forget, but they’re really important. 

 

First, remember that mothballs do not last forever. After a while, they slowly turn into gas and disappear, so they’re not a long-term fix. Also, be patient. Skunks may not leave right away, even if you use peanut butter or mothballs. Give them time. 

 

Never try to trap a skunk without knowing your local laws, because in some places it’s illegal or unsafe to do it yourself. Skunks can carry diseases, and trapping them wrong could get you sprayed. 

 

And finally, talk to your neighbors. If they have skunks too and don’t take care of the problem, the animals might just go back and forth between your yards. 

 

Working together makes it much easier to keep skunks away for good.

 

Skunk den areas might have moisture and mold risks. So, if you find damp areas where skunks lived, check out how to check for mold after water damage to keep your home safe.

Wrapping Up

So, coming to this point, we can assume that you now know how to get rid of skunks fast. Getting rid of skunks might seem hard, but it’s really not. With some peanut butter, a few mothballs, and the right skunk deterrent steps, you can make them leave without getting sprayed. Just find the problem early, help them leave safely, close all the gaps, clean up food and hiding spots, and use lights or smells if needed. If it feels too risky, call a pro. 

 

Take action and enjoy your yard again.

 

Skunks can sometimes damage your yard or house, so learning about water damage restoration can really help fix things fast.

 

FAQs How do you get a skunk to leave? To get a skunk to leave, make the area uncomfortable for it. You can use strong smells like mothballs, loud noises, or bright motion lights. Also, leave one exit open and place peanut butter near it to gently guide the skunk out. What do skunks hate the most? Skunks hate strong, stinky smells like ammonia, moth balls, vinegar, or pepper sprays. They also don’t like noise, light, or sudden movement, so things like radios or motion-activated lights can also keep them away. What smell will keep skunks away? Smells like ammonia, garlic spray, vinegar, or predator urine from garden stores can keep skunks away. These strong smells bother their nose, and they usually avoid places where they smell them. Why do skunks spray every night? Skunks don’t spray every night on purpose. They spray only when they feel scared or surprised, like if a dog or person gets too close. Since they are active at night, that’s usually when spraying happens. How to get rid of skunks naturally? To get rid of skunks naturally, clean up food like pet bowls and trash, use lights at night, and spray garlic or pepper water near their hiding spots. Also, block places they like to hide, like under porches or sheds. How to get rid of skunk smell in the house? To get rid of skunk smell in the house, open windows and doors to air out your home. Use a mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap to clean surfaces and fabrics that smell bad. If the smell is strong, try using vinegar or activated charcoal to absorb it. How to get rid of skunks under the house? First, make sure the skunks have left safely by blocking all exits except one. Use strong lights and natural repellents like ammonia-soaked rags or mothballs nearby to encourage them to move out. After they’re gone, seal all openings with wire mesh so they can’t come back. How to get rid of skunk smell on a dog? If your dog got sprayed by a skunk, mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and a bit of dish soap together. Gently rub this mix into your dog’s fur (avoid the eyes), let it sit for five minutes, then rinse really well with warm water. You may need to repeat it once or twice until the smell is mostly gone.