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by Carol Brinkman, HCMG |
Skunk!
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Have a problem with
skunks digging holes in
your lawn? According to
the experts at
PlantAnswers.com
skunks, for the most
part, are not a big
nuisance to Texas
homeowners. More often
it is armadillos or
opossums that cause the
problem in lawns.
Actually they are doing
the grass a favor when
they dig for the grubs.
However, no one is
allowed to dig in my
flowerbeds and borders
but me. |
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It must be the current
drought, but we have had
more nocturnal visitors
than we can remember.
Our Have-a-Heart trap
has paid for itself
several times over —
four raccoons, 2
opossums, one fox, and
one skunk! |
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Trap and release is good
policy, but with a skunk
it is a different
matter. The problem with
trapping a skunk, of
course, is the odor.
However, there are now
traps on the market that
catch and contain the
skunk and the odor as
well. That isn't the
kind of trap we were
using. We were told that
putting a cover over the
trap to darken it often
lessens the chance of
the skunk releasing the
spray when the cage is
moved. Our solution was
to turn to the
professionals (in this
case, the local animal
control). |
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The logical thing to do
would be to deter them
from your yard. Removing
the food supply, i.e.
maybe your pet's food,
along with the water
supply, is a start but
not a guarantee. If you
(or a pet) are sprayed
by a skunk, the odor can
be eliminated by using a
product such as Skunk
Odor Eliminator
(Outright Products, Bramtom Company, Dallas,
Texas, 214.438.0397).
Obviously, you would
prefer that this product
be close at hand in such
a situation. These
products can sometimes
be found in pet supply
stores. It is a natural
beneficial
bacteria/enzyme formula
in the product that
removes the odor. A home
remedy to eliminate
skunk odor can be made
by mixing a quart of 3
percent hydrogen
peroxide, 1/4 cup of
baking soda and one
teaspoon of a liquid
detergent. |
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