If you have ever had the misfortune of getting sprayed by a skunk, you know how unpleasant it can be. Skunks are notorious for their ability to spray a stream of noxious fluid from their anal glands, and this liquid can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. However, there are times your property may be under threat by these animals, especially if you are a pet owner. If a skunk decides to take permanent residence in your yard, you may be thinking you're in trouble. After all, how do you handle skunks without being attacked?
Remove a Skunk Carefully From Your Property
Skunks can be trapped and relocated from your property with a live animal cage trap suitable for a skunk. Do keep in mind, it will be risky trying to remove the skunk from your property. However, skunks are predictable creatures; if handled carefully, you can successfully remove the skunk without being sprayed.
What You Need:
- Live Animal Cage Trap Compatible with Skunk
- Bait Suitable for Skunk (i.e. Cat Food, Chicken, Peanut Butter, and other high-protein foods)
- 2 Large blankets or towels (disposable)
- Gloves
What to Expect:
It's important to understand the skunk's behavior before trying to trap it. Otherwise, you are guaranteed to get sprayed. The first question you should be asking yourself is, how do I know if a skunk will attack?
You should know that skunks will only spray if they feel threatened. It is mostly used as a last resort, as they will always try to escape first. But given that they are being trapped in an enclosure and there is nowhere to run, how do you even avoid this?
The only way to avoid being sprayed is to make sure the skunk does not feel threatened to begin with. Trapping the skunk is not necessarily the most challenging part, but rather relocation; people are most reluctant to approach the skunk. You will need to approach the skunk to relocate it, so familiarize yourself with these warning signs:
Skunk Warning Signs:
- When a skunk feels threatened, its first line of defense is to give a warning by stomping its front feet and hissing.
- If that doesn't work, at that point the skunk will turn around and spray.
- The best way to avoid spraying is to stay downwind from the skunk.
Step-by-Step Skunk Removal from Property:
- Place the bait inside the live animal trap.
- Position the trap in an area where you have seen the skunk or where you think it will frequent.
- Cover the trap with the first large towel or blanket, leaving only the opening exposed.
- Check the trap regularly, at least every few hours.
Once you have caught the skunk, you'll need to approach it. Just because he is caught, does not mean he feels scared or threatened. So it is best to keep his temperament under control and avoid startling him.
- Use your second large blanket or towel and hold it out in front of you, allowing it to shield your body-- skunks normally will not spray a target they cannot see.
- Approach the skunk from downwind.
- Clicking or humming sounds will help alert the skunk of your presence and eliminate the possibility of startling him.
- Gently place the second blanket or towel over the cage.
- Wearing gloves, carefully pick up the trap (being sure not to tilt it too much) and place it in the bed of a pickup truck or in the trunk of a car.
- Drive the skunk to a location within 5-10 miles of your home.
Stay Downwind and Approach Carefully
Trapping a skunk without getting sprayed can be tricky, but it's not impossible. You just need to know what to look for and how to avoid scaring the skunk.
It is very important to note the difference between using one or two towels to cover the cage. The first towel on top of the cage is optional. Its purpose is an added layer of protection, because skunks normally do not spray targets they cannot see. However, limiting his visibility also forfeits some of yours. This might not be preferable as you're approaching the skunk later on, because it can delay the reading of warning signs.
If you favor visibility and making sure you can monitor his moves, then do not use the first towel. It helps to see him clearly. But if you are particularly afraid to approach the skunk and feel more confident approaching him this way, you may use an extra layer.
