Author Topic: Kill. All. Skunks. (Read 13236 times)

Dan K · « **on:** March 20, 2014, 11:34:40 AM »

So my house has been skunked 2x this 'Spring' already. Lady skunk living under my deck, male skunks come to woo her and spray each other, spreading their perfume throughout my house. Intolerable.

I live in a residential suburb, so no shooting.

Can't trap or kill without a permit, so I got one. I think I'm the only resident in my county to ever request this permit.

Set the trap for the first time last night, success.

Giant garbage can full of water next to the trap. Bye bye skunk. Hopefully I caught the lady skunk living under the deck.

Little peanut butter on marshmallows, one in the trap, one just in front of it at the door, and one about a foot away. I hung a piece of fat trimmings from the pork shoulder I smoked last week deep in the trap. Worked like a charm.

I'm putting the over/under on skunks disposed of at 14. Any takers?

- Dan

Cablebandit · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2014, 11:39:12 AM »

Around here they just spray the dog. Then he runs though the house to share.

DNA · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2014, 11:51:37 AM »

I'll take 7.

Be sure to bury them deep.

Max Wedge · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2014, 12:00:08 PM »

He lives in a sub. No burying. They go to the curb on Wednesday for the trash man to worry about...

CosmicCowboy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2014, 12:04:29 PM »

How are you picking up the trap without getting sprayed?

Or is it a kill trap?

Dan K · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2014, 12:35:33 PM »

Quote from: Max Wedge on March 20, 2014, 12:00:08 PM

He lives in a sub. No burying. They go to the curb on Wednesday for the trash man to worry about...

Yep - in Illinois, double bagging and dropping in the trash is the legal disposal method.

Quote from: CosmicCowboy on March 20, 2014, 12:04:29 PM

How are you picking up the trap without getting sprayed?

Or is it a kill trap?

Not a kill trap. It's a rectangular trap that has a sliding door in the front. I wrapped the top and long sides in corrugated plastic (like cardboard, but water proof) and zip tied it on, leaving the back and the bottom open. I check the back to see what I caught and confirm it's a skunk (not a possum, raccoon or cat) and if it's a skunk, I lay a dark, wet towel over the back. I then pick it up by the front, making it vertical, and keeping the plastic barrier between me and the skunk, and drop it into a giant garbage can full of water that can completely submerge the trap. Only available method of euthanizing to me (which is approved by Illinois) is drowning, so that's what I do.

I don't enjoy that part - I'm an animal lover at heart - but also a realist. When they spray, my house smells so bad for so long that I'd kill them barehanded and get sprayed if I knew it would solve the problem. While I'd rather let someone else do it, it's like $50-80 a pop to have someone take it away, and for that kind of money, I'm glad to take care of it myself.

Long term plan is to secure the deck with hardware cloth (like tight, tough chicken wire) from the bottom of the deck buried down into the ground about one foot, then 90 degree bend away from deck and out another foot to stop them from burrowing in. I'll likely leave one spot open and secure a one way door out of the hardware cloth for a while (don't want to lock them in and have a dead smelly skunk under my deck), then keep trapping until I stop catching them. At that point, I'll add some motion detecting lights and hopefully, that will be the end of my skunk problem.

I paid someone last year, caught 4 I believe, plus a bunch of possums that I just released, and I'd rather spend the $$$ on preventative measures after I lessen the problem. Permit was free, garbage can borrowed from a neighbor, already had the trap, so...

- Dan

Oh - I did think of Clay this AM when I dropped the trap in the water, glad I didn't need any plumbing materials...

Dan K · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2014, 12:38:31 PM »

Quote from: DNA on March 20, 2014, 11:51:37 AM

I'll take 7.

Be sure to bury them deep.

Probably a good number, although they are rampant in my suburb.

Cablebandit · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2014, 12:43:08 PM »

Skunks are just a normal part of the nighttime air around here. The smell doesn't bother me at all. Never has. I guess people react to it differently. I've never seen what all the fuss is about.

Can you pop them with a pellet gun? Drowning is a horrible way to go.

Dan K · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2014, 01:03:14 PM »

If you don't get it with the first shot, it will spray. I'm a decent shot, but not that good.

When they spray under my deck, the smell permeates everything in my house, and my wife has a major reaction beyond just having to deal with the bad smell.

I don't enjoy it, but Illinois says proper methods =

1. capitive bolt, gunshot, drowning and stunning (mechanical only);
2. inhalants, including gases I've never heard of, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide;
3. non-inhalants, including Sceobarbital/dibucaine (which requires injection).

My permit says drowning, so that's what I'll do. Maybe I can rig a somewhat airtight box that can drop over the trap with a small hole to connect to a hose with the other end connected to my motorcycle exhaust, and gas them? Would be easier to do - eliminates risk of spray when putting trap into the garbage can, but I'm not sure how to do that without melting the hose...a metal buffer between hose and motorcycle maybe? Maybe a project for Bomber's entropy lab?

How long would you have to gas it with motorcycle exhaust fumes before it died?

I'm open for suggestions - this AM was not fun for me at all, but I will keep killing the bastards until the problem is gone. Cannot explain how bad the smell is in the house.

- Dan

Scratch · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2014, 01:10:07 PM »

Quote from: Cablebandit on March 20, 2014, 12:43:08 PM

Can you pop them with a pellet gun? Drowning is a horrible way to go.

Hook a metal trap up to a 120V outdoor outlet -- when the house lights go dim, you'll know ya got somethin'.

No ma'am, I haven't seen your cat.

Mrs. DantesDame · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2014, 01:13:27 PM »

Quote from: Dan K on March 20, 2014, 01:03:14 PM

I'm open for suggestions - this AM was not fun for me at all, but I will keep killing the bastards until the problem is gone.

I'd look into relocation. Difficult for the animals to adapt to new surroundings, but at least you'd give it a chance

Dan K · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2014, 01:20:50 PM »

Quote from: Mrs. DantesDame on March 20, 2014, 01:13:27 PM

Quote from: Dan K on March 20, 2014, 01:03:14 PM
I'm open for suggestions - this AM was not fun for me at all, but I will keep killing the bastards until the problem is gone.

I'd look into relocation. Difficult for the animals to adapt to new surroundings, but at least you'd give it a chance

Relocation of skunks is prohibited in Illinois due to high rabidity rates. All trapped skunks MUST be euthanized.

I like the electric trap idea - plug it in when you know you have a skunk - but for some unexplained reason that's not a permitted method of euthanasia.

- Dan

Vulcanbill · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2014, 01:26:46 PM »

cuz a skunk won't spray when it's being electrocuted? seems unlikely.

I recommend you make them your pets. Once you've properly bonded, you'll have no spraying issues cuz they'll love you.

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mxvet57 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2014, 01:30:45 PM »

Quote from: Vulcanbill on March 20, 2014, 01:26:46 PM

cuz a skunk won't spray when it's being electrocuted? seems unlikely.

I recommend you make them your pets. Once you've properly bonded, you'll have no spraying issues cuz they'll love you.

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Is that one floating in the water?

Scratch · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2014, 02:03:57 PM »

Quote from: Vulcanbill on March 20, 2014, 01:26:46 PM

cuz a skunk won't spray when it's being electrocuted? seems unlikely.

http://www.ask.com/

Scratch · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2014, 02:04:48 PM »

Quote from: Vulcanbill on March 20, 2014, 01:26:46 PM

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Weren't those two girls on Walking Dead?

Dan K · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2014, 02:17:24 PM »

That picture would be a whole lot different if momma skunk was around...

Meemuh · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2014, 02:28:07 PM »

I've heard of a fly bait/Pepsi mix. It's apparently irresistible, and they drop dead in their dinner. I think it's frowned on by PITA, but I can only think of one thing better than dying while eating.

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Scratch · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2014, 03:11:19 PM »

Quote from: Meemuh on March 20, 2014, 02:28:07 PM

I've heard of a fly bait/Pepsi mix. It's apparently irresistible, and they drop dead in their dinner.

Not irresistible to raccoons, IME.

Cookie · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2014, 05:02:07 PM »

http://youtu.be/vc82ECNuc9Q

Dan K · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2014, 06:03:30 PM »

Quote from: Cookie on March 20, 2014, 05:02:07 PM

http://youtu.be/vc82ECNuc9Q

Saw that last year when I was paying someone to dispose of my skunks... Cruel, but hilarious nonetheless. Skunks are no good.

-Dan

CLAY · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2014, 06:56:52 PM »

Quote from: Meemuh on March 20, 2014, 02:28:07 PM

I've heard of a fly bait/Pepsi mix. It's apparently irresistible, and they drop dead in their dinner. I think it's frowned on by PITA, but I can only think of one thing better than dying while eating.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Raccoons and possums love it, skunks not as much, but they will hit it. One has to be SUPER cautious when using that mixture- they literally die with their face in the pan. You'd NEVER want the stuff where anything can get at it that you don't want dead.

I think you're doing what you need to do. DON'T relocate. They just become someone else's problem then- not to mention they totally screw up more ecosystems then. DAMHIK.

But we've been through that.

mxvet57 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 20, 2014, 08:06:12 PM »

When i was out riding today i got a whiff of a skunk.

I have a few in the neighbor hood but not a big problem. (yet) One time i turned the corner of the garage and one was standing rite in front of me. The skunk took off faster than me.

bedlamite · « **Reply #23 on:** March 21, 2014, 10:31:59 AM »

I've had dogs my entire life, and I had a dog years ago that seemed to get sprayed annually, so a bottle of Skunk-Off in the house is mandatory. It works way better than any tomato-lemon-peroxide concoction I've ever tried.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001ATDTCG

Cablebandit · « **Reply #24 on:** March 21, 2014, 10:41:22 AM »

We've always had good luck with peroxide, baking soda and a dash of Dawn.

I think the tomato juice is just an old prank.

We have the store bought stuff as well but the fact that you need to leave it on to dry is a pain. After all, most of the time they get sprayed is when you let them out before heading to bed.

SuperHans · « **Reply #25 on:** March 24, 2014, 10:22:20 AM »

A .22 with a supressor is a perfect solution.

CLAY · « **Reply #26 on:** March 24, 2014, 03:22:38 PM »

Quote from: SuperHans on March 24, 2014, 10:22:20 AM

A .22 with a supressor is a perfect solution.

BTDT! (maybe)

chornbe · « **Reply #27 on:** March 24, 2014, 03:25:01 PM »

If you ship that... uhm... thing... back to me for a bit, I can make you a... uhm... noise suppression device... for it.

Black Hills · « **Reply #28 on:** March 24, 2014, 04:00:19 PM »

Quote from: SuperHans on March 24, 2014, 10:22:20 AM

A .22 with a supressor is a perfect solution.

one, or even two shots with a .22 will mostly go unnoticed in the burbs. a cool night when everyone is inside and the windows are closed and nobody will hear it.

Meemuh · « **Reply #29 on:** March 24, 2014, 05:15:11 PM »

Easy to say when it's not your house that the po-po drive up to when the neighbors complain.

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Black Hills · « **Reply #30 on:** March 24, 2014, 08:24:28 PM »

Quote from: Meemuh on March 24, 2014, 05:15:11 PM

Easy to say when it's not your house that the po-po drive up to when the neighbors complain.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Of course I'm a hick from the sticks so it's not a big deal. Cop knocks on the door. I answer and it goes like this:
We had reports of gunshots
Yea, had a couple skunks, but I don't anymore
You know you can't do that in town don't you
What else am I supposed to do with skunks
Well don't do it again
Ok, sorry
Have a good night
You too

Easy

Meemuh · « **Reply #31 on:** March 24, 2014, 08:26:59 PM »

That's how it works at my house, too. Ain't nuttin to dust a fat raccoon with the 12 ga. Poor Dan lives in the Peoples Republic of Illinois, I believe.

Cablebandit · « **Reply #32 on:** March 25, 2014, 06:50:26 AM »

Quote from: Meemuh on March 24, 2014, 08:26:59 PM

Poor Dan lives in the Peoples Republic of Illinois, I believe.

So....don't bring the cannon to Dan-B-Que?

DNA · « **Reply #33 on:** March 25, 2014, 11:11:33 AM »

Quote from: Black Hills on March 24, 2014, 08:24:28 PM

Quote from: Meemuh on March 24, 2014, 05:15:11 PM
Easy to say when it's not your house that the po-po drive up to when the neighbors complain.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Of course I'm a hick from the sticks so it's not a big deal. Cop knocks on the door. I answer and it goes like this:
We had reports of gunshots
Yea, had a couple skunks, but I don't anymore
You know you can't do that in town don't you
What else am I supposed to do with skunks
Well don't do it again
Ok, sorry
Have a good night
You too

Easy

I doubt that conversation would go so well here in California...

RRdvark · « **Reply #34 on:** March 25, 2014, 12:00:26 PM »

We had a skunk live under our deck in the vinyl village for a couple years...it even kept babies under there with it for a while. Over that time we only had a backyard spray incident 2 or 3 times though. Our indoor/outdoor cat used to play with the babies while the momma was watching. We would watch from behind the glass door with all the windows shut cause we thought she would get the stink douche - never happened though. However, even with the windows shut, a spray in the backyard was enough to wake the whole family up and cause an evacuation. Skunk poot from a distance is bearable. Skunk poot in the yard was not and it lingered for days.

Black Hills · « **Reply #35 on:** March 25, 2014, 01:25:14 PM »

Quote from: RRdvark on March 25, 2014, 12:00:26 PM

We had a skunk live under our deck in the vinyl village for a couple years...it even kept babies under there with it for a while. Over that time we only had a backyard spray incident 2 or 3 times though. Our indoor/outdoor cat used to play with the babies while the momma was watching. We would watch from behind the glass door with all the windows shut cause we thought she would get the stink douche - never happened though. However, even with the windows shut, a spray in the backyard was enough to wake the whole family up and cause an evacuation. Skunk poot from a distance is bearable. Skunk poot in the yard was not and it lingered for days.

stepped on one pheasant hunting one time. threw all my clothes away and got rid of 90% of the smell but the rest took a couple weeks no matter what I tried..

mxvet57 · « **Reply #36 on:** March 25, 2014, 03:26:42 PM »

Quote from: Black Hills on March 25, 2014, 01:25:14 PM

Quote from: RRdvark on March 25, 2014, 12:00:26 PM
We had a skunk live under our deck in the vinyl village for a couple years...it even kept babies under there with it for a while. Over that time we only had a backyard spray incident 2 or 3 times though. Our indoor/outdoor cat used to play with the babies while the momma was watching. We would watch from behind the glass door with all the windows shut cause we thought she would get the stink douche - never happened though. However, even with the windows shut, a spray in the backyard was enough to wake the whole family up and cause an evacuation. Skunk poot from a distance is bearable. Skunk poot in the yard was not and it lingered for days.

stepped on one pheasant hunting one time. threw all my clothes away and got rid of 90% of the smell but the rest took a couple weeks no matter what I tried..

Isn't the dog supposed to flush them out.

Cablebandit · « **Reply #37 on:** March 25, 2014, 03:28:21 PM »

Quote from: mxvet57 on March 25, 2014, 03:26:42 PM

Isn't the dog supposed to flush them out.

A proper dog would point them out.

Black Hills · « **Reply #38 on:** March 25, 2014, 03:37:58 PM »

Quote from: mxvet57 on March 25, 2014, 03:26:42 PM

Quote from: Black Hills on March 25, 2014, 01:25:14 PM
Quote from: RRdvark on March 25, 2014, 12:00:26 PM
We had a skunk live under our deck in the vinyl village for a couple years...it even kept babies under there with it for a while. Over that time we only had a backyard spray incident 2 or 3 times though. Our indoor/outdoor cat used to play with the babies while the momma was watching. We would watch from behind the glass door with all the windows shut cause we thought she would get the stink douche - never happened though. However, even with the windows shut, a spray in the backyard was enough to wake the whole family up and cause an evacuation. Skunk poot from a distance is bearable. Skunk poot in the yard was not and it lingered for days.

stepped on one pheasant hunting one time. threw all my clothes away and got rid of 90% of the smell but the rest took a couple weeks no matter what I tried..

Isn't the dog supposed to flush them out.

apparently the dog is smarter than I am

giaka · « **Reply #39 on:** May 09, 2014, 01:38:21 PM »

What is the purpose of a skunk anyway?

stew71 · « **Reply #40 on:** May 09, 2014, 01:43:59 PM »

Quote from: giaka on May 09, 2014, 01:38:21 PM

What is the purpose of a skunk anyway?

To give my black lab something to chase until he gets nuked at point blank range while he's SUPPOSSED to be retreiving the downed ducks.

Dan K · « **Reply #41 on:** May 09, 2014, 02:08:36 PM »

I have had no issues, and haven't baited the trap in weeks. Something was eating my bait and not setting off the trap, plus I haven't seen or smelled a skunk in the neighborhood for a while. Of course, posting this will change all that...

I think the one I caught on day one was the one under my deck. Now that the weather is nice, I plan to skunk proof the deck to avoid future stink.

Still have the cage and garbage can full of water handy though...

DNA · « **Reply #42 on:** May 09, 2014, 02:14:33 PM »

Quote from: Dan K on May 09, 2014, 02:08:36 PM

Still have the cage and garbage can full of water handy though...

They heard the cries and word got around...

Mr. Whippy · « **Reply #43 on:** May 09, 2014, 03:56:22 PM »

For some reason, the skunks stay away from our place. Our problem vermin are raccoons. Still carry rabies but at least they don't stink and you can dispose of them in a garbage bag.

Papa Lazarou · « **Reply #44 on:** May 10, 2014, 04:51:06 AM »

Look, at least you all don't live in Australia, where the wildlife is really dangerous.

mxvet57 · « **Reply #45 on:** May 10, 2014, 10:06:18 AM »

Quote from: Papa Lazarou on May 10, 2014, 04:51:06 AM

Look, at least you all don't live in Australia, where the wildlife is really dangerous.

I agree with Papa.

That was really hard to say.