Back away from the skunk very slowly and steadily. Don't turn your back, make sudden movements, raise your arms, or run. Instead, try to put about 10 feet between yourself and the skunk, but don't rush.27 May 2021
How do you get a skunk to leave?
A bright light or a motion sensor flood light will scare skunks away. Most animals, including skunks, dislike the smell of citrus fruits. Place orange or lemon peels around the yard as a natural skunk repellent. Predator urine (dogs, coyotes) can be used to repel a skunk.
What does it mean to see a skunk in your yard?
Skunk symbolism has a lot to do with danger, fear, warning, and alertness. A skunk may be reminding you to become aware of your environment so you can protect yourself from harm. Skunks are solitary creatures and skunk medicine can help you become more independent and self-reliant.24 Sept 2021
What happens if you encounter a skunk?
If you encounter a skunk in the open, it's probably hunting or returning to its den. If you run into a skunk in the open, the first thing you should do is stop moving. Skunks have poor eyesight and sudden movements may startle them. If possible, avoid letting the skunk see you at all.27 May 2021
Where do skunks live in neighborhoods?
They can live in both rural and urban areas. Skunks generally live in dens that they dig with their strong front claws. These dens will be holes that you find in your yard. Or they may find and live in an abandoned den built by other animals, such as a foxes or woodchucks.
Where do skunks live at night?
But there are likely some of them sleeping a lot closer to you than you think each night, just outside or not far from your home. But where? Typically speaking, skunks live in dens they dig with their front claws. They can also make abandoned fox holes, hollowed-out logs, or wood piles a new home for their family.20 May 2019
Where are most skunks located?
Habitat. These small stinkers are found in the United States, Canada, South America and Mexico. Stink badgers, which were recently considered part of the skunk family, are found in Indonesia and the Philippines. Skunks live in forest edges, woodlands, grasslands and deserts.21 Jun 2016
What skunks live in Michigan?
Our wild skunk's stripes do not extend all the way down its back; Pete's do. But these different markings do not indicate separate species: both are striped skunks, the only skunk species found in southeastern Michigan.
What smell attracts skunks?
Although skunks are known to eat opportunistically, they are most attracted to oily, meat-based baits like fish and chicken. They have a strong sense of smell, so anything particularly smelly works best - even peanut butter has been proven to lure in skunks.
What causes skunks to come around?
Skunks might come out during the day if there is a food source available at a particular time, if they have been frightened out of their daytime sleeping spot, or if there is high competition in the area at night from other nocturnal animals. Baby skunks are also commonly seen outside during the day.
Why are there so many skunks around my house?
Skunks prefer to nest in dark, warm areas. If they are unable to find or use burrows from other animals or make their own, they will seek other areas for shelter. This is why they are often attracted to residential areas because of the availability of resources.
What do skunks hate the most?
It may seem ironic, but skunks hate certain odors (as if they have room to judge). Citrus, ammonia, mothballs and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc) are three smells that can scare off skunks. If you use mothballs or ammonia-soaked cotton balls, be sure to keep them far away from children.
Are there different breeds of skunks?
There are twelve species of skunks, four of which you're most likely to encounter on your property.