Natural Pest Control: Skunks

Skunks are the last thing you want to try to chase out of your yard by running after them, yelling and waving a rake. Here are a couple of tips for repelling skunks with household items, without getting skunked yourself.

Bounce Fabric Softener -- The scent in Bounce, oleander, is a natural repellent to animals. Hang a few fresh sheets of fabric softener around your yard to keep skunks away. Every couple of days, spray them with a water bottle to revive the scent.

Tabasco Sauce, Garlic Powder, and Corn Oil -- In a quart of water, mix together four tablespoons of Tabasco Sauce, four tablespoons of garlic powder and a half teaspoon of corn oil. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and squirt it around the perimeter of your yard or garden to repel skunks.

In the event that you do get sprayed with skunk smell, here are a few tips for dealing with the odor:

Tomato Juice -- The acids in tomatoes neutralize skunk smell. Open a couple of quarts of tomato juice, get into a plugged bathtub and sponge the juice all over your body and through your hair. Then fill the tub with water and soak in the diluted juice for approximately 15 minutes. You can use the same technique for pets that have met up with a skunk. Make sure to thoroughly rub the tomato juice into their fur.

Lemon Juice -- Lemon juice can be even more effective than tomato juice, due to its acidic nature. It will take several bottles of lemon juice to totally eliminate the skunk odor, but it can be used the same way as tomato juice on you or your pet.

Listerine -- The antiseptic in Listerine is also effective in fighting skunk odor on humans or dogs. Apply it to the affected areas, being careful to avoid ears and eyes. After that, wash with soap and water.

Source: Gardening Magic

Natural Pest Control: Skunks

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