Skunks are nocturnal and hate light. So if you have a skunk in the backyard, a motion detection sprinkler could be the solution to your prayers. So, skunks also dislike the smell of naphthalene as well as mothballs. The fume is so toxic for skunks that it scares off the skunks. But these mothballs dont have a dangerous effect on skunks. Set up a one-way door at the skunks point of entry. These methods should be used with caution, however. canisters a year, maybe more. Opossum Repellent - Moth Balls, Ammonia, Home Depot, Lowes, Sound Ammonia is a strong chemical, and itll do more harm to you than it will to the skunks. These chemical balls will only prevent and repel skunks. (All You Need to Know), Do Rabbits Eat Coreopsis? However, they leave telltale signs such as digging holes in your lawn and making a meal out of your garden veggies, chicken eggs, compost pile, or garbage can. (Fox urine didn't work, I'm guessing not a big enough predator?) Thats why these chemical balls are effective in repelling skunks. So, you have spread the mothballs under these confined areas. Fast forward to modern times and the reliance on mothballs as a key element of clothing care and preservation has begun to fade, thanks to the proliferation of three luxuries that are easily taken for granted: Thanks to central heat and air conditioning, home windows and doors can remain closed, which reduces the likelihood that moths and their cloth-eating larvae will find their way into your closet. The strong scent of naphthalene is dangerous for skunks. I had to take a tomato bath for the better part of two days. 3. You may want to hire a wildlife professional to skunk-proof your house. Heatwave -If you plan to use that shed within the next couple of years, rethink the mothballs. Peppermint Essential Oil Skunk Repellent. I wouldn't mind, except for the fact that once every couple of weeks, our house gets invaded by their odor.It happened again last night. Citrus, ammonia, mothballs, and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc.) My doctor tells me every year "keep doing what you're doing because your blood work is perfect and you are in excellent health". OKlooks like this skunk forum has been going for years, with a lot of talk @ mothballs & fox urineWe currently have baby skunks living under a storage shed. You also have to use a limited amount of mothballs to repel skunks. The law is as follows. Raccoons, foxes, skunks, bats and coyotes are classed by the state ofNorth Carolina as rabies vectors and may not be rehabilitated orrelocated. Place these around any area you believe the skunk may be active. Those of us with Asthma will have a much stronger reaction because that is one of the many things that can cause a seriousAsthma attack. Moreover, other insects and animals will also stay away from the area. So Fox urine isn't a solution for discouraging a Skunk. Insect Repellent Mothballs' true claim to fame comes from their usage when storing clothes and other insect-prone items. How to Keep Skunks Away Actually scares the you know what out of 'em. If you do away with their food supply, they arent likely to stick around. It is no longer surprising that mothsballs and ammonia compounds are some of the most traditional but outdated methods of repelling skunks. How to Keep Skunks Away from Your House - Tips Bulletin Deter Skunks with Motion-Activated Lights. licker,i had a skunk coming into my garden and digging up some good sized holes in about a dozen different spots for a couple of nights.I sprinkled crushed red pepper flakes (kinda like the ones you'd use on pizza and such and they are approximetly 20,000 on the scoville scale) but the skunk was back that same night with more digging up around my garden.I went online and found a store here that specializes in spices. Now that you are aware of the cool things these little, toxic balls do, you might begin to see how stupid it is to think that they will work all the time for everything. Make sure to shake the contents gently so the powder absorbs into the water and is evenly distributed. Find the source of skunks and use the mothballs there. In order to attract skunks, use mothballs or ammonia as a scent. Our recommendations are made at the request of the Kidadl team. Useful Tips To Make Your Everyday Life Just A Bit Better. They also often make a mess with garbage and in yards/farms, digging cone-shaped holes as they search for grub to eat. Mothballs were designed solely to kill moth larvae, and this is all they are effective at doing. These can be used in combination with other methods to deter skake-repellent chemicals. Even they will go away if they see mothballs in a place. http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/norelok8.pdf. Feed your outdoor pets during the day and remove any leftovers before night, when skunks are most active. Acute (short-term) exposure of humans to naphthalene by inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact is associated with hemolytic anemia, damage to the liver, and neurological damage. If you have a compost pile, keep it completely covered until the visiting skunk moves on. The smells of dog urine represents a potential predator to the skunk and it will not want to go anywhere near a predator. Use a 1515-inch piece of plywood for a sliding trap door. - Humane Wildlife Removal, Tips to keep skunks out of your yard and garden - Humane Wildlife Removal, How to locate and get rid of a dead skunk - Humane Wildlife Removal, What to do with a skunk after you trap it - Humane Wildlife Removal, Is it legal to trap skunks? The mothballs emit a poisonous vapor that kills any larvae that may have hitched a ride on your clothing, thereby eliminating the possibility of chewed fabric. Ammonia-smelling areas are easily avoided. Once they came outside, I was doing "The Naked Man". The outdoors is too large for mothballs to be in any way effective. To suggests you can leave these in your home for years top ward off moths from eating your suit but cant put them under your house to ward off rabid skunks is not only fear mongering, but irresponsible. Reapply the spray in three to five days or after it rains. Skunks are an essential part of the natural environment, but at times theyre also a problematic nuisance for homeowners. 1. During this time, a chopped onion, a chopped jalapeno, and 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper should be boiled in 2 quarts of water. So, Do mothballs repel skunks, really? You might know that mothballs vaporize eventually. Poison of any kind isn't advised, not only because it poses a threat to the skunks you're trying to get rid of, but to the plants, pets, and other animals in your area. This essentially means that the skunks will work to find a way around the stench, and almost always will. So, you might be confused about whether mothballs keep skunks away. neither of these chemicals has ever been shown to cause cancer in humans. Read on to discover whether or not these methods are effective, and if they are dangerous to use. But mothballs are also effective in repelling other insects and small animals. Unfortunately, theres no way to keep the chemicals from harming any beneficial or wanted critters that come into contact with it, so this method should only be used in emergencies. Go back to the Skunk Removal page. Time to trap (Have-a-Heart) and remove the stripped invader. They are nocturnal creatures that are prone to foraging at night and are terrified of bright lights. If a family of skunks has taken up residence under your deck, shed, or in your crawl space, skunk removal becomes a bit more complicated. While moths can be used to keep skunks away, they are not the most effective or natural solution. North Americas vast majority of wooded areas are home to a large number of skunks. The use of mothballs to kill skunks may cause cancer in lab rats and humans. Anyone have any other solutionsor any thoughts on which would be most effective of the two suggestions I have so far? If you suspect a pet or child has come into contact with mothballs or inhaled the fumes, you should contact a poison emergency center immediately. Are Mothballs Or Ammonia Skunk Repellents? - AAAnimal Control From mid-May to early June, there are two to twelve kits born from ground dens. As the primary ingredient in Animal Repellent, the solids from putrescent whole eggs are responsible for its composition. Do mothballs and ammonia help repel skunks? - Wildlife Removal And clearly, some people don't get it! Build a fence that is at least three or four feet high. There are no exceptions or exemptions to this restrictionand North Carolina state law does not allow any exemption to begiven. Can I Feed Prime Plus Cat Food to Cats of All Ages? Now its easy to relocate the skunk and release it in an appropriate area. )just a suggestion,good luck? I saw her go from a little over 100 lbs and very sick, to the picture of health after 10 months of going organic. If the law, which I doubt, says I can't "relocate", then I'm left with killing the poor thing! - Humane Wildlife Removal, What is the best bait to use to trap a skunk? If a window is open around basement, skunks could and will venture through and fall inside the house. Still, theyre opportunistic omnivores that will happily take advantage of an easy snack. If food sources are eliminated or are impossible to reach, skunks will flee. Skunks cant bear the presence of this fume. There are a variety of home remedies for skunk removal, some more effective than others. Within a couple of days, skunks will go away from those places. The fur of a skunk is extremely sensitive, and oil on his body will make him sick. If that doesnt work, try using a bright light or a motion sensor flood light to frighten them. Combine your cayenne pepper powder and water in a standard spray bottle. The owner of our vacation house in NM read somewhere that mothballs would get rid of mice in sheds three years after her solution was applied, it still reeks of them. Learn how to get rid of skunks naturally using efficient tips and cost-effective skunk control products. Keeping skunk away is beyond the power and scope as the struggle is real for these animals and almost always find a way around these repellents when given time. This may seem hard to do, but it's actually not. A couple people mentioned throwing mothballs or human urine under the deck area. Here's how: Welcome to the Tornado WarningCapital of the US, Davie County, Advance, NC, Fork FD now uses a Tornado aka Civil Defense Sireeeeen four ALL their call outs day or night 24-7. I would love to be able to rid my entire home city of these damned bed bugs. Only a few people have ever been bitten by a skunk, and only when kept as pets do they record the bite. If ammonia and mothballs are used in conjunction with the treatment of a certain area, poisonous snakes can spread. are all smells that skunks associate with. Hi, I live at Vaughan. See Also: How to Get Rid of a Dead Mouse Smell. Well, yes -- if youre a moth. Generally, mothballs have an instant effect on skunks. Originally, this was what the product was designed for. Ammonia is particularly distressing to the eyes and nose of wildlife and has a better chance at being effective when applied in an enclosed space. It is true that a skunk is an animal with a strong sense of smell, and one of the main reasons that some people believe ammonia and mothballs can be an effective repellent is that they have such a strong smell. Additionally, running your sprinklers at night scares away skunks from your yard and as a humane way to get rid of chipmunks and squirrels. How to Get Rid of Skunks from Your Garden | HGTV 1. The dryers heat may bake in the skunk smell if it doesnt come out entirely with washing. - Humane Wildlife Removal, Can I remove skunks myself? BEST GRANULAR: Safer 5929 Brand Critter RidderRepellent Granules ALSO CONSIDER: ZOVENCHI Ultrasonic Animal Pest Repellent Photo: depositphotos.com What to Consider When Choosing the Best Skunk. If skunks are afraid, essential oils, such as peppermint oil, can help them. It has a hole diameter of 12 inches, which makes it small enough to keep skunks at bay. - Humane Wildlife Removal, What are different ways to kill a nuisance skunk? Can Toppers Fit Dog and Cat Food: A Comprehensive Guide, How to Use Canned Cat Food for Bluegill Bait, Is Dads Gourmet Cat Food Safe for Cats? Do Mothballs Repel Raccoons? - Pest Prevention Patrol A friend suggested going to a pet grooming salon and collecting dog fur to hang in the garden in pantyhose nets. Mothballs or urine? What is best way to get rid of skunk? - Houzz Alternatively, use a transparent window or wire mesh to seal the back so you can see inside. So, does urine drive away a skunk? In this case, Skunks are Pests so it is fine to use. Make sure to clean up any remnants and store dog and cat food in a tightly sealed container. Citrus, ammonia, mothballs, and predator urine (dog, coyote, etc.) This will frighten the skunk away, and it will go on to find another den. When food for pets must be stored outside, keep it in an indoor area and secure garbage cans. Together, these two chemicals represent the active ingredients in mothballs as we know them today, thanks to years of experimentation in the 19th century by several dedicated scientists. Learn how to properly use mothballs at home. But it can cause you to experience a wide variety of negative health effects. Pet food that comes into contact with ammonia or mothballs may cause food poisoning in animals; even a single particle of these substances can cause a significant amount of food poisoning symptoms. BTW - it is extremely strong in odor, and appears to be the real deal. 5 Smart Tips and Methods to Remove Smelly Creatures Edited by Inga Cryton Reading Time: 43 minutes. It would need to be re-applied from time to time though But these chemical balls can also repel skunks. Seal the back end of the trap with the other 1515-inch piece of plywood. If opossums (aka possums) are a problem in your yard, mix together camphor oil with enough petroleum jelly to make a paste, and spread it around the base of trees. But these efforts will not be very effective in removing the skunk from your home. Using them outdoors will not only harm beneficial critters, but can easily contaminate plants, soil, and groundwater. So, applying mothballs can effectively repel skunks from your house. Then in late afternoon scatter flour over that area that evening, look for skunk tracks leaving. The fume will instantly repel skunks from the place. Then you can only use the mothballs in that specific place. How To Get Rid Of Skunks Under Shed? (Permanently) These chemicals and fume are highly toxic to skunks. Their offensive odors are used to combat the activities of animals such as skunks. I was also troubled by skunk some weeks ago.i founded a website which provided all info about skunk removal. Baking Soda Detergent Install Motion Lights to Repel Skunks Getting Rid of Skunks in Your Backyard is Simple Several of the skunk removal remedies we describe repurpose everyday household products to act as a natural skunk repellent. Dear Kimmsr(4a/5b-MI) : You have stated your case repeatedly, expressively and very convincingly. This method is so successful that mothballing has become a synonym for storage, leading to such common phrases as The project was mothballed and taking it out of mothballs. How To Get Rid Of Skunks Without Harming Cats - 9 Tips Skunks are night-dwelling animals, and do not like bright light. I have simply stopped feeding the wildlife and sadly my cute mama fox left the area. Skunks are nocturnal, shy animals, so if theyre coming onto your property, it probably means that theyve discovered some tasty snacks. EPA has classified naphthalene as a Group C, possible human carcinogen. Mothballs can also be placed in garbage cans, under porches, or in any other area where skunks may be a problem. However, these animals find predator urine everywhere and are not too terribly bothered by that as much as if they see that predator. Best Answer. Use a larger trap, raccoon size. Using mothballs and ammonia (in any way) to get rid of raccoons has been shown, time and time again, not to work. The best way to get rid of a skunk is to hook up a light that will shine all night under your porch. Because these chemical balls are also toxic to humans and other animals. It would be ideal if animal control methods such as exclusion fencing and trapping could be used. So, mothballs are a pretty effective and harmless way of keeping skunks away. According to those that know relocating wild animals is not as humane as it may seem. Time to do something about it. This new substance generated a similar vapor as naphthalene, making it an effective pesticide when used in the correct conditions. So, people use mothballs to keep moths away. There are some things you can do to keep skunks away from your property. Any location with tasty foods will attract skunks because they are omnivorous. It's a health risk to everyone involved. 2. Ive tried most of these. Ammonia or mothballs can be placed in areas where skunks may be present as the animal has a sensitive sense of smell. However, we will only discuss some of the safest methods here, as their toxic nature is rarely considered when suggesting life hacks. Check your gender biases at the door. The best removal method is to contact a wildlife removal company. 1. Theyre toxic to humans and animals and may contaminate your garden soil. Repellents such as ammonias can be used to eradicate them, but here comes the true question, do mothballs repel skunks? Napthalene and mothballs contain an organic compound that is rather toxic for the environment and can be harmful to humans as well. No need for chemicals or poisons. Do skunks like or dislike the smell of mothballs? Youll receive your clothes pressed on hangers, or neatly folded (depending on the service). Then get a netted bag or large freezer bag (and poke some tiny holes in it) to stick the box in. The Risks Of Using Moth Balls As A Skunk Deterrent Skunks are not adept climbers or jumpers, so installing a barrier around your garden is a practical way of keeping skunks out. Insecticides are extremely toxic, so when you interact with them, you are essentially inhaling insecticide. As a result, they should never be stored near flame or placed in a storage area that is prone to heat buildup. Ammonia it is widely believed to repel most wildlife due to its pungent smell. Make a Spray-Proof DIY Skunk Trap. How to use mothballs to get rid of skunks The mode of application involves placing old rags dipped in ammonia under your deck or porch, or anywhere that skunk activity has been observed. Thank you for the info. Read on to discover some of the best natural ways to get rid of skunks. The ammonia will soak the cloth and the fumes will travel through the air. The mode of application involves placing old rags dipped in ammonia anywhere skunk activity has been observed or under your porch or deck. Seal food scraps with a strong odor in plastic bags. Cite the studies you are basing your assumptions on that there have not been cases of cancer due to exposure to moth balls. http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/fish-wildlife-plants/moving-wildlife.html. It smells so badly because of the mixture of chemicals containing sulfur, called thiols. Mothballs are toxic to humans and other animals also. Clothing care has evolved over time as trends and technology change how we clean, preserve, and protect our garments. Unveiling the Mystery of Heavy Dyes, How Many Calories in Hills Natural Balance Dry Cat Food. Affiliate Disclaimer: Tipsbulletin.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, How to Get Rid of Skunks with DIY Pepper Spray, Best Way to Get Rid of Skunks with Citrus, Getting Rid of a Skunk Den on Your Property, Block Skunks Entry Points with a Barrier, Deter Skunks with Motion-Activated Lights, Privacy Policy GDPR Medical Disclaimer DMCA, 2 cups of chopped citrus peels (lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit), 2 boards measuring 24 inches and 8 feet long, 3 pieces of -inch plywood, 520 inches (1) and 1515 inches (2). For clothes that you do not plan to wear for a month or more, place them in a closed container like a plastic storage bin or plastic laundry bag (as close to airtight as possible). Operating 24/7/365. A motion-activated flood lamp will often startle them off your property. Our choices will be unaffected by this. You may wonder, Well, what actually deters skunks if mothballs and ammonia dont? The answer is actually more simple than you may think. Obviously I have never used them, haha! The scent acts as a signal for the skunks. To keep the unwelcome guests at bay, place the balls or rags in strategically placed areas around your property, and the vinegar will keep them at bay. One frame should be the same size as the tube, and the other should be twice as tall to accommodate the sliding door. It's common sense - moth balls are considered a pesticide, and pesticides are poisonous. I figure either the skunks won't be able to stand the smell OR based on the crazy posts on this thread, at least they might die from cancer!! Other chemicals can be used to repel skunks, among other things. The string should be plenty long so you can stand well back from the trap to avoid getting sprayed when releasing the skunk. How To Get Rid of Skunks: The two most important things you can do are trapping and removal and prevention via exclusion barriers. Air-dry the clothes instead of machine drying. Anything that is not welcome and trespasses on my property will be summarily dispatched. Healthy homes There are alternatives to the dangers of mothballs English Espaol CORVALLIS, Ore. - Controlling pests outdoors is a common summer practice for gardeners, but it's also important to know how to safely and effectively protect against an insect that feeds indoors and can ruin clothing: clothes moths. The skunks will move on - perhaps to under a neighbor's shed - and more importantly, none can move back in. I have read many ideas on this site how to / about getting rid of skunk, fox or raccoon etc; There are many ideas posted here, some are out right very entertaining such as Mr22. Worth every penny. Clean up brush and wood piles, and fill in holes under sheds and other structures. So, you can use mothballs in places of waste food and around the dustbin. (Quick Answers). How to Get Rid of Clover Mites (and Keep Them Away! the next morning, I seen where I got a visitor that night before and he/she dug up "one" hole about 2 inches wide and 2 inches deep and called it a night.it seemed to do the trick.crushed habanero peppers run from 200,000 to 300,000 on the scale.you got to take safety precautions spreading the flakes around as you don't want to come into contact with them (latex gloves?) Add keeping skunks away to your list of reasons to mow the lawn more often. In actual fact, keeping skunk away is beyond the scope and power of any repellent as the struggle for survival is real for these animals and they almost always find a way around our repellents. Please stop spreading fear. If you inhale the fume of mothballs, it can be dangerous for you. This smell is not safe for many insects. In short, if a skunk is unable to live in a house with mothballs, neither are humans. Try repellents or citrus-scented scents such as ammonia or mothballs to keep skunks away from your property. are all smells that skunks associate with. Has anyone else tried the coyote urine for ridding skunks? Theyre best known for the unpleasant and lingering skunk smell that they spray at humans and animals when threatened. Aside from the stink, they have a habit of raiding your vegetable garden and making a mess of your trash cans. I plan to use mothballs under a shed where I think I have a family of skunks living. Now that you know mothballs keep skunks away, you might want to see the application process. This is what the product was designed and approved to do. In the early 1800s, certain chemists began to experiment with purified coal tar and the odiferous properties that characterized this white, waxy, solid substance. If I have to kill it I will, it is using strongarm tactics that it uses in the wild to take over a nifty den under my house. Mothballs are effective in deterring skunks. Finally, Irish Spring soap may be able to keep them at bay. Over time, they dissolve into a toxic gas. skunks rely heavily on bird seed and sunflower seeds, as previously stated. Generally, the odor and fume that come from mothballs are from naphthalene. So, when you keep these mothballs in a place, skunks will avoid that place. Commercial or homemade capsaicin or castor oil repellents can also be. Wildlife Removal is the largest and most trusted wildlife control company in the United States. The best way to deter a skunk from your property is to block off its den when the skunk is away. It is likely that skunks will come into contact with rabies in some way. Sorry about your new fragrance.:-}. Simply moving the rocks or cutting up the foliage near the area where they are located can be done to remove the rocks and foliage. Skunks, which are small mammals with a close relationship to weasels, live primarily in the Rocky Mountains. If you use repellants in skunk deterrence, they may also deter them. These animals cant bear the smell of mothballs. Food! - Humane Wildlife Removal, Should you handle a skunk with bare hands? The simplest and best way to get rid of skunks is by eliminating their food sources. After mothballs are vaporized completely, you have to clean the areas well. How To Get Rid Of Skunks | Hunker The fume released from the mothballs is generally vaporized chemicals. or else,well, you know. Because of the risk of contamination with this product, it should not be used or handled by humans or pets. Chronic (long-term) exposure of workers and rodents to naphthalene has been reported to cause cataracts and damage to the retina. How Long Does Blue Wilderness Cat Food Keep? Mothballs and ammonia-soaked rags commonly get touted as household skunk repellents. Skunks don't like the smell of vinegar and ammonia, so you can try spraying vinegar around the perimeter of your property. However, it is illegal to use them in the way you are because mothballs are a potential cause of cancer. Mothballs are easily kicked out the way. Skunks love eating insects living in tall grass. Then I see the thread gets hijacked by a Mr. or Mrs. KNOWITALL, who doesn't give any suggestions about the problem at hand, they just want to debate whether MOTHBALLS cause cancer.. IDIOTS. 2023 Rid My Critters. As a result, when smelling this odor, skunks will seek food in a different yard. However, neither substance works very well to deter skunks. Moreover, the toxic fume from the mothballs scares off the skunks. However, the tomato juice only masks the smell with its pungent aroma. Using moth balls to get rid of skunks under your house Trapper Don CT Outdoor Show 876 subscribers Subscribe 10K views 1 year ago Trapper Don of D&D wildlife control does a film on. Apratim, add to your website that moving live trapped wild animals by unlicensed people is illegal in many states. Using moth balls to get rid of skunks under your house.. We service over 500 USA locations! Please stop posting more and more information about that, we may not be as educated as you, but we do understand. Use them only in the source of skunks. Skunks immediately leave the place once they smell mothballs. Well, you have to know the effect of mothballs on skunks. Animals in their natural environment should be left aloneunless they are acting abnormally. There is a right way and a safe way to use mothballs, so read on! Skunks cant bear the fume or smell of mothballs for this reason. Luckily, skunks are sensitive, timid critters that are relatively easy to fend off. EPA has classified naphthalene as a Group C, possible human carcinogen. baphemet, this particular thread is about using either mothballs or urine to get rid of a skunk, so a discussion about whether using mothballs in this manner is okay is appropriate. It works, have done this several times with other wild animals. Make a mixture of 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide (fresher is better), 1/4 cup of baking soda, and 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap . If that doesnt turn you away from using them, consider the fact that the toxic level of moth ball fumes for a skunk is also the toxic level for a human.