Do you have a skunk in your garage? If so, don’t panic! There are several things you can do to get rid of it and make sure it doesn’t return – ideally, without getting yourself or your belongings sprayed in the process. Here’s what you need to know!
What You'll Learn Today
Do Skunks Go in Garages?
If you’ve ever walked into your garage and smelled that unique, characteristic skunk smell, you know how pungent and hard to remove it is!
When skunks spray around your garage, getting rid of the smell can be an uphill battle. The best way to prevent the smell from invading the entire space, of course, is to keep skunks out of the garage.
Do skunks even go in garages, though? Absolutely. Although it isn’t common, skunks are happy to dig and roam all over the place in search of their next meal.
Finding holes around your garage is a good sign that you have skunks near – and that they might feel inclined to wander in. They are often attracted to garages in particular when homeowners store trash cans right next to the garage or even in the garage until the weekly pickup.
They may also come into your garage in search of shelter from the elements. Like all other living things, they need a place to stay safe and warm.
Even worse, once skunks know that they can find food (and often, water and shelter) in your garage, they’ll keep coming back. They can move right into the garage if they can find a way in and often live in holes beneath the garage as well.
Although skunks are pretty good at hiding their bodies, you’ll know that one is nearby as soon as you smell it. Even if they don’t spray the garage, they can leave behind distinct musty odors that will let you know you have a problem.
Of course, finding droppings nearby is another telltale sign that a skunk is amiss, too.
How Do You Get Rid of Skunks Fast?
Do you have a skunk problem? Here are some tips to get them out of your garage – and keep them away for good.
Check the Door
Avoid leaving your garage door open whenever possible. The good news about a skunk infestation, compared to other types of pest problems, is that they need a pretty wide point of entry in order to get inside. They aren’t like mice and cockroaches who can get inside by wiggling into a teeny-tiny gap in your wall.
Check that the garage door is closed and locked tight. Make sure it’s not possible for the skunks to dig beneath the garage – if the driveway is dirt, know that the skunks can easily dig through it. You may want to pour a concrete pad or put paving stones near the garage entry to make sure skunks can’t get inside.
The same goes for holes in the walls. Remember – skunks are great at digging!
Seal Up Windows
Windows can make it just as easy for skunks to get inside as doors. Make sure any windows (particularly low ones) are locked and sealed tightly so skunks can’t knock them out to get inside.
Keep Trash Inside
Store your trash bins indoors until trash day. Keep them in tightly locked cans in case a skunk feels inspired to come into the garage.
Usually, if a skunk can’t get any food, he will probably leave even if he does manage to get inside. Therefore, it’s important that you take the trash out each week and avoid allowing it to accumulate in the garage. The longer it sits and the more it starts to pile up, the more likely it is that you’re going to have a pest problem.
Mow the Lawn
Clean up your garage regularly to help remove debris and other potential hiding spots and sources of food for skunks and other pests. However, also keep in mind that your lawn and landscape might be what’s drawing the skunks to visit your garage.
Keep all shrubs and hedges neatly timed. Remove branches and foliage and know that woodpiles, brush piles, and other dense masses of vegetation frequently serve as hiding spots for skunks.
Keep the yard neat and tidy to avoid inviting skunks to dinner!
If you notice any holes on your property – particularly those around the garage – it’s a good idea to fill them in with durable materials like welded wire mesh. This can exclude the skunks from digging.
Trapping a Skunk
If a skunk does happen to wander into your garage, the best thing you can do is to wait. Give the skunk time to wander out – hopefully, it will lose interest and venture elsewhere. Wait until it’s gone, then close the garage door so it can’t come back inside. Do an inspection of your garage to figure out what caused the skunk to wander inside in the first place.
If it doesn’t, you may need to trap it to avoid being sprayed when you go out to start your car in the morning!
Trapping a skunk can be extremely difficult. You’ll need to use a large trap with bait to make sure you catch the skunk and don’t injure it instead. Trapping a skunk can be challenging – and getting it out of the live trap can be even more difficult if you don’t want to get sprayed.
Furthermore, relocating the skunk can be a challenge because skunks can and do bite – and they can harbor rabies. You may want to hire a professional wildlife control operator, particularly if you don’t have experience in trapping animals.
What Scent Will Keep Skunks Away?
To prevent skunks from coming into your garage you may want to put out certain odors. An ironic fact about skunks is that, although they are incredibly stinky themselves, there are certain smells that they just can’t stand!
Consider putting out citrus, predator urine (such as that for a dog or coyote), mothballs, or ammonia. These can all help to repel skunks from your garage.
How to Get a Skunk to Move Out – No Eviction Notice Needed
If you’ve tried the tips above and still can’t get the skunk out of your garage, it may be time to call in the big guns. Sometimes, it’s best to call a professional exterminator to avoid getting sprayed.
Here’s a video detailing how professionals remove skunks from garages:
Remember, while you might be able to save some money by trying these DIY tips to get rid of a skunk in the garage, if you’re storing expensive or valuable items in this space, it might be better just to call the professionals from the get-go.
That way, you don’t have to worry about any lingering “stink” ruining your belongings.
Good luck!
I just cannot stand the terrible smell made by these skunks. Simply have them removed by a professional