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Skunks spray as a defense mechanism to ward off predators. The active ingredient in their sulfurous, oily musk is n-butyl mercaptan, which evaporates into a powerful and smelly gas. Once the spray hits the skunk’s target, the stench can linger for days, and water and common cleaning kits aren’t enough to wash it away.

If you happen upon a skunk in your yard, try to back away slowly to reduce the chance of them aiming at you. Encouragingly, they don’t use their weapon casually, as it can take up to 10 days for their life-saving weaponry to refill. Paw stamping, hissing, lifting their tail, and arching their back are early signs they feel trapped or under threat and that it’s time to make a careful retreat.

Fencing is one of the most effective ways to keep deer out of your garden, but there are other ways to keep deer away. You could put together a homemade deer repellent mixture using household items that deer hate. Mix hot sauce, garlic powder, liquid dish soap, and water in a spray bottle and spray it onto your plants. It won’t harm your garden or any animals but it will deter deer from chowing down. You can also plant your garden strategically by creating a perimeter of plants that deer don’t like to eat, herbs like oregano, mint, sage, and thyme.

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. 

Armadillos are not considered friendly animals. They are solitary and tend to avoid human interaction. While not aggressive, they can be shy and reclusive, often scurrying away when approached. Armadillos may carry diseases, so handling them is not advised.