Posted 2011-07-22 2:14 AM (#135946) Subject: I have a tricky situation
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Pataskala, Ohio
I was out working in the trailer the other day, just after sunset and I heard something in the yard fairly close to the trailer. I looked out expecting a dog or cat to be standing there looking at me only to see a skunk walk right up to the bushes near my house and it stayed there.
The following morning I once again was out working in the yard near the trailer and saw the skunk walk out from under the trailer, it walked into the garden, laid in the oregano then walked off. I pulled the trailer into the driveway and there is skunk scat under the trailer but no hole. I bought some very expensive skunk repellent and sprinkled it all around the house and where the trailer normally sits.
I park my trailer with the nose as far down as it will go and the skunk has been under the nose area.
So may question is two part:
Anyone know how to discourage a skunk from living under a trailer?
If part 1 fails anyone know how to get skunk smell out of the LQ?
Posted 2011-07-22 7:40 AM (#135951 - in reply to #135946) Subject: RE: I have a tricky situation
Regular
Posts: 83 Location: Minnesota
I've never had that problem, but if you have another place to park the trailer for awhile, you might do that. The skunk would find another place to call home if his roof was gone. Another idea would be to get a roll of chicken fencing and put around the trailer when you park. You can get it in different heights and lengths. 12"-18" should do the trick. After a couple failed attempts of getting underneath, it might give up. Good luck.
Posted 2011-07-22 9:29 AM (#135962 - in reply to #135946) Subject: RE: I have a tricky situation
Elite Veteran
Posts: 714 Location: Minnesota
Rather than a shotgun, a .22 caliber hollow oint would be better. :) Less chance of hitting scent sack. :-) Another idea might be a "live" trap set in another area, away from civilization, where you know the skunk to be. They like some of the same bait as racoons, i.e. dried fruit, chips, etc. THEN you can use the .22.
Posted 2011-07-22 10:54 AM (#135965 - in reply to #135946) Subject: RE: I have a tricky situation
Veteran
Posts: 229
Jeeppir, I would suggest trapping with a live trap. In addition to the recommended raccon bait, they like ham, bacon, and tuna fish. If it looks like they are living under the nose, place the trap under the nose. Clip a dog chain onto the trap. Use chain, not rope or baling twine. After you have trapped the skunk, you have options. You can walk quietly up and shoot them in the head several times with a BB gun. At first they don't look dead, but this will kill them. If not startled, they don't spray. You can walk up and cover the trap with visqueen or a tarp and pick up the trap. Or, you can do as I do and use the chain to drag the trap over to a trough. I place a board ramp up to the trough and use the chain to drag the trap up to the trough. Drowning is quick, but I give it about 10 minutes. The trap needs to be emptied promply after that. Stiff skunks are harder to shake out of the trap. I've trapped a mess of these varmints and it's pretty easy. Now, I have killer barn cats and the skunks don't seem to hang out nearly as much around my place.
Posted 2011-07-22 3:15 PM (#135972 - in reply to #135946) Subject: RE: I have a tricky situation
Member
Posts: 5
Location: missouri
I know that they like cat food & dog food and are attracted to evergreens. They do not like the scent of ammonia, so if you can spread that around your trailer, especially under the GN, it might help encourage him to find another home. We had one move into the crawlspace under our house just as we put it up for sale...husband eventually shot it one night as we caught it venturing out for the night. They are nuissances!
Posted 2011-07-23 12:44 AM (#135987 - in reply to #135965) Subject: RE: I have a tricky situation
Expert
Posts: 2615
Originally written by horsecamper on 2011-07-22 10:54 AM
Jeeppir, I would suggest trapping with a live trap. In addition to the recommended raccon bait, they like ham, bacon, and tuna fish. If it looks like they are living under the nose, place the trap under the nose. Clip a dog chain onto the trap. Use chain, not rope or baling twine. After you have trapped the skunk, you have options. You can walk quietly up and shoot them in the head several times with a BB gun. At first they don't look dead, but this will kill them. If not startled, they don't spray. You can walk up and cover the trap with visqueen or a tarp and pick up the trap. Or, you can do as I do and use the chain to drag the trap over to a trough. I place a board ramp up to the trough and use the chain to drag the trap up to the trough. Drowning is quick, but I give it about 10 minutes. The trap needs to be emptied promply after that. Stiff skunks are harder to shake out of the trap. I've trapped a mess of these varmints and it's pretty easy. Now, I have killer barn cats and the skunks don't seem to hang out nearly as much around my place.
Posted 2011-07-23 8:39 PM (#136006 - in reply to #135987) Subject: RE: I have a tricky situation
Member
Posts: 36 Location: Wellington, Texas
Go ahead and put the tarp over the live trap to begin with. That way the skunk won't see you come to pick up the trap. Take him a good ways from the trailer to shoot him because he will spray when shot, even if shot in the head. If your brave enough you can open the door to the trap and let him out in an open area and then shoot him with a shotgun. First of all easier to hit with shotgun than 22, secondly your trap won't have the skunk smell. Other options are to hook a 2-3" hose to the exhaust of a gasoline vehicle and let it run for a while with the other end underneath the tarp. Diesel fumes don't work(speaking from experience).
Posted 2011-07-24 1:39 AM (#136013 - in reply to #135946) Subject: RE: I have a tricky situation
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Pataskala, Ohio
Trailer is still in the driveway. No sign of the black and white kitty. We have been enjoying hard rain off and on for the last two days, I hope he has moved away, there are 2 sections of soy beans across the street, just perfect for a skunk.
I am going to put the trailer back Monday afternoon if there are no move visits from Pepe-La-Pue.
Posted 2011-07-24 2:04 PM (#136029 - in reply to #136013) Subject: RE: I have a tricky situation
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Just so you realize that skunks are highly territorial...once they move in...the only way to get rid of them permanently is kill them or haul them LONG distances away from your farm...
Posted 2011-07-24 5:08 PM (#136036 - in reply to #135946) Subject: RE: I have a tricky situation
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Iowa
jeeppler,
Do you have Cats & Dogs? If not, 1 Cup of Golden Marlin Fly Bait in a pie pan and a half can of Pepsi on top is VERY Deadly. They won't get very far before they die. Kills Racoons too.
Posted 2011-07-29 5:16 AM (#136189 - in reply to #135946) Subject: RE: I have a tricky situation
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Pataskala, Ohio
I put the trailer back on Monday with 5lbs of motheballs under it. Pepe-La-Pew has not been seen for a few days. I think it is a young skunk, the tail was not too fluffy so maybe it moved away.
I have a tricky situation
