need help with a skunk

[Bombero1956]

we have a skunk living under our back deck. How do we get rid of it without resorting to killing it. We have little ones who play in the yard every day.

[XemaSab]

1. Call a professional

There's really nothing you can do without putting yourself at risk of getting bitten AND sprayed at the same time.

[lizziegrace]

2. I agree

Unless you're experienced with traps and removal, best to let a pro take care of it.

[hippywife]

3. I found this link

http://www.humboldt.edu/~wfw2/livingwskunks.html

I wonder if moth balls thrown under there would also repel them? :shrug:

[Redstone]

6. I especially like the part about "how to live with them." Every night,

between 9 and 9:15 PM, an adult skunk walks by the side steps where I sit and read at night.

I talk to it quietly, calling it "Mr Stinky" though it may be a female, and throw it a slice of bread smushed into a ball. He (or she) eats the bread while we chat about the day's events, and then he or she ambles along.

Every now and again, some animal or other annoys one of the skunks, and we have to close the windows for an hour. No big deal.

Redstone

[OhioChick]

4. We had the same problem.......

Moth balls and bleach work wonders. They hate the smell and will "relocate" elsewhere. My dogs got sprayed several times, luckily the kids didn't.

[Redstone]

5. Then go out to forage at night. Watch them, see when they leave, then

put some lattice or heavy-duty chicken wire under your porch.

Redstone