Garden pests like gophers and skunks can wreak havoc in your yard, digging holes and destroying plants. Gophers are rodents that live underground, and skunks are small mammals that feed on insects, grubs, and rodents.
Read more: HOW TO KEEP GOPHERS OUT OF YOUR YARD AND GARDEN?
Skunks are adorable creatures until they start digging up your lawn! If you have a skunk problem, you’re not alone. Skunks can be a significant nuisance, and they can damage your property in the process of looking for food. We will explore why skunks dig up yards and provide some solutions to keep them away. We’ll also discuss how to remove a skunk from your property safely. Keep reading to learn more!
Why Do Skunks Dig Up Lawns?
Skunks are a common nuisance for many homeowners due to their digging habits. They dig up lawns for grubs, worms, and other insects that comprise the bulk of their diet. Skunks dig through gardens and flower beds, searching for fruits, vegetables, bulbs, and pet food left outside overnight.
One of the biggest dangers with skunks is they can spray an odorous substance to ward off predators. This odor can linger for days, making it difficult to remove and leaving behind a stench that may cause discomfort to people in the area.
How Can You Stop Skunks From Digging Up Lawns?
If you are struggling with skunks digging up your lawn, there are various steps that you can take to inspire them to return.
1) Use Household Scents To Deter Skunks – Spraying a strong-smelling family cleaner, such as white vinegar, ammonia, or citrus-based cleaners, can be an tremendous deterrent.
Make positive to dilute the cleaner with water earlier than spraying and reapply each few days.
2) Prevent Skunks From Digging With Fencing – Installing fencing round your yard is one of the most positive approaches to maintain skunks from digging.
Choose a fence that is at least three ft tall and bury it about eight inches into the floor to make sure that a decided skunk might not be in a position to dig underneath.
3) Use Repellent Sprays – Several commercial repellents are available, ranging from scent-based sprays to those containing pepper or capsaicin. Read the label and apply according to instructions, as some repellents may require multiple applications over a certain period for best results.
4) Remove Attractants – Skunks often dig in lawns containing food sources like insects, grubs, and worms. Removing these attractants will help make your lawn less appealing to skunks. Consider using a pesticide to remove grubs or other insects that may be living beneath the surface of your lawn. If you have pet food outside, bring it in at night when skunks are most active.
5) Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers – Motion-activated sprinklers are a great way to scare away skunks who may be causing trouble in your yard. When triggered, these devices sense movement and spray water at a skunk, startling them and making them less likely to return.
6) Get Sensor Lights – Installing bright lights in your yard can also help deter skunks. Motion-activated sensor lights will turn on when motion is detected, scaring the skunk away and making them less likely to return.
Call Absolute Lawn Pros for the best lawn care in Cumming. Our team of experts can assess your situation to determine the best approach to help keep your lawn and home safe from skunks. We offer various services, including pest and rodent control, so you can rest assured that we will eliminate unwanted visitors on your property.