Q: Are skunks hard to get rid of?

• <div><p>Luckily, skunks aren&rsquo;t challenging to get rid of. You can try to remove them slowly by filling their den entryway loosely with newspaper. Many skunks notice their den is in jeopardy and take off on their own. You can also try making a homemade spray of jalapeno pepper, yellow onion, and cayenne pepper&mdash;believe it or not, skunks are sensitive to these smells, so if you spray this around the den or in hard-to-reach places around your property, most skunks will take the hint and leave. </p></div>

Question 1

Are snakes beneficial to have in your yard?

Accepted Answer

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If the snakes in your yard are non-venomous species (like common Rat or Garter snakes), why not consider the live-and-let-live approach? Some benefits of not getting rid of snakes include:

They’re great at controlling disease-spreading rodent populations, including rats, mice, voles, and moles.
Some non-venomous species (like the common kingsnake) eat venomous species like rattlesnakes and copperheads.
Species like the garter snake keep down populations of garden pests like slugs and grasshoppers.

Question 2

Does one snake mean more?

Accepted Answer

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No, one snake does not always mean more. While snakes do often congregate in dens to breed, for most of the year, they are primarily solitary creatures that do not travel in groups. A single snake may make its way near your home in search of food, warmth, or shelter.

Question 3

Are skunks hard to get rid of?

Accepted Answer

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Luckily, skunks aren’t challenging to get rid of. You can try to remove them slowly by filling their den entryway loosely with newspaper. Many skunks notice their den is in jeopardy and take off on their own. You can also try making a homemade spray of jalapeno pepper, yellow onion, and cayenne pepper—believe it or not, skunks are sensitive to these smells, so if you spray this around the den or in hard-to-reach places around your property, most skunks will take the hint and leave.

Question 4

Are snake repellents safe to use?

Accepted Answer

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Some snake repellents are risky to use around people and pets because they use the active ingredient in mothballs, naphthalene. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified naphthalene as a carcinogen that can cause damage to the liver, neurological issues, and cataracts.

The Colorado State University Extension suggests there’s not enough conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of snake repellents to recommend their use.

Question 5

What time of day are bobcats most active?

Accepted Answer

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Bobcats are most active from sunset to midnight, and from sunrise to a few hours into the morning. If you see a bobcat acting strangely in hours they’re normally not active, it’s possible they’re sick. The Humane Society recommends contacting a local wildlife professional to find and trap the bobcat in this case.