Skunks can be repelled by a variety of smells and deterrents. Here are some methods to repel skunks:
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Citrus: Skunks dislike the intense scent of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Place citrus peels around your garden or yard to use as skunk deterrents. Alternatively, create a citrus spray by mixing water and citrus juice or peels, then spray it around your property’s perimeter.
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Peppermint: Plant peppermint around your garden or yard to use as a skunk deterrent. Alternatively, create a peppermint spray by blending peppermint oil with water and misting it around your property’s perimeter.
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Predator urine: Skunks are afraid of the scent of predator urine, such as dog or coyote urine. You can purchase predator urine online or at a garden center and sprinkle it around your property’s perimeter.
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Ammonia: Skunks hate the smell of ammonia. Soak rags in ammonia and place them around your property’s perimeter.
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Capsaicin: Capsaicin, oil of black pepper or white peppers can serve as powerful scent and taste deterrents for skunks. You can use these as a spray or granules around your garden or yard.
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Lights: Skunks are night-dwelling animals and dont like bright light. Install motion-activated flood lamps to startle them off.
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Fencing: Skunks are poor climbers, so you can limit your application of repellents to reachable surfaces and plants - up to 3 feet from ground level. You can also surround your crops with a low fence. The skunks wont be able to climb over, but a motivated critter can dig under a fence, so consider burying several inches of fence or sprinkling cayenne or chili powder around the fence perimeter to act as a deterrent.
It is important to keep your yard clean of all traces of food and garbage to avoid attracting skunks. You can also remove their food source by using homemade bug sprays regularly and utilizing clever companion planting to discourage bugs that make great skunk snacks.
