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How to keep skunks out of your garden

by Stephanie Manning

Created on: June 12, 2008   Last Updated: November 16, 2011

Getting rid of skunks can be tricky. There are only two outcomes in a situation like this: either they leave or you end up in the shower scrubbing your self to the bone. While it's not smart to remove a skunk from the garden, it is smart to prevent them. Prevent skunks is easier then you think. You just have to know why the skunks have entered your garden to start with.

Skunks are wild animals and just like any other wild animal they scavenge for food. They have an incredible sense of smell and can spot your skunk buffet from a long way. Skunks also like bugs. Bugs, grub worms and tomato worms are one of the main reasons they hang out in gardens. While they work wonders for the gardeners, it's really not a chance most people want to take.

Preventing skunks isn't that hard. You just have to know what they are attracted to in your garden. In addition, don't just start by working on your garden, start with your whole yard. After all, if they aren't loured into your yard, they most likely won't make it to the garden.

Here are some great ways of preventing skunks in your garden and your yard.

Trash

Trash cans are a buffet and louring agent for just about every will animal out there. Make sure that you have the cans sealed tightly and you have a locking mechanism such has the fold up handled to prevent them from getting in, in the event that they knock it over. Another good way of detouring skunks (and other wild animals) from garbage cans are wooden or plastic flats with holes in them. The flats that are used for packing bulk items that are regularly used with fork-lifts are the flats that I am talking about. Since they are slatted and have holes in between each board, it will detour them. Just like cattle won't walk through an opening with cattle fence, skunks don't like anything that messes with their footing. If they are afraid that they will end up falling, they won't bother trying.

Cover Compost

If you have a compost pile in your yard or near your garden, this could be a green light for skunks. Since bugs and worms of all sorts use compost as a breeding ground, this could be a main source of their attention. Cover any compost with a tarp or other plastic materials to block the skunks from getting in.

Moth Balls

Moth balls have been used for generations to detour more then just skunks. Simply placing them around your property line will help keep them out. Since they have an impressive sense of smell, they can smell them far away and will be detoured. Just remember

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