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Using a Havahart trap is a great idea. I've used the medium, one-door model with a can of tuna for bait. Sometimes you can obtain a trap from your local Humane Society office, and they may even set it for you.
You can use an old shower curtain or a tarp to cover the trap to protect you from getting sprayed. Then, just slide the trap in the back of a pickup and relocate the skunk away from built-up areas. I've transported dozens of skunks this way and have never been sprayed.
Note: Whenever live traps are set they must be checked daily, and even more often during hot summer weather, as the animal has no water. If you provide water in the trap the container must be secured, or be heavy enough that it won't be tipped over.
Thanks for the Hav-a-Hart trap idea. With the recent El Nino rains we think the skunk got flooded out, so we'll wait and see how our dog reacts. We don't have any kind of food sitting outside--but if we need to lure the critter out of the backyard or into a trap, we'll try the Meow Mix.
I used to think skunks were cute until we had a rabid one in our yard (confirmed rabies at state lab). Now I am careful to only put the cat food out for long enough for the ferals to eat, and then I take it away. Not going to be feeding skunks any more. (They usually show up later in the evening.) Shame, because possums also ate the food and I love possums (they do not carry rabies due to their low body temperature).
The skunk will leave at the same time every night. Just board up the hole after you know he's gone. You can also use mothballs or a rag with ammonia (don't use both!) to keep them out of there.
No sign of the skunk since the big rains, so maybe it left. No decomp smell, either, so it didn't drown in its nest. We have found out that we have a formidable predator living in our trees, a Great Horned Owl. Maybe it ate the skunk...I know they can abduct cats and small dogs, so why not a skunk?
No sign of the skunk since the big rains, so maybe it left. No decomp smell, either, so it didn't drown in its nest. We have found out that we have a formidable predator living in our trees, a Great Horned Owl. Maybe it ate the skunk...I know they can abduct cats and small dogs, so why not a skunk?
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