dealing with a skunk

ok folks, expertise and opinions needed.
a skunk has taken upon residence in my large sided pole barn buildings where there are lots of hiding places. what do I do about it. I have a couple live traps but not sure what to bait it with or what to do once its caught. I thought about tying long rope to the trap but then how do I let it out of traps without getting sprayed.  is the only option a blast of shotgun pellets?

It has been a while  since I have had a similar problem.   My first step would be to alter the habitat.   There is such a thing as skunk repellent. Home made versions are some combination of various hot sauces and hot peppers. It is worth a try.

Bait wise, sardines are common, tuna, and just about anything with a strong odor.

The release part, as you indicated is tricky.  I suspect that when trapped it may decide to spray.  My skunk problem was settled with commercial skunk repellent.  I think your rope idea is as good as any.  I think you could open the door of a live trap with a long pole.

Hi Bruce;
That's a tough one.  I also have had a skunk thinking he might want to live here... I think not!
All I know do is remove whatever food source they are finding.
In our case it is dog food.  Our moose mastiff dog Molly knocks her food bowl over in her exuberance... still a puppy @ 13 months and #120...
We always brought her bowl in but now I must rake up any spillage or mr Lapew will be there overnight.
Motion detecting yard lights & trail cams are wonderful things for determining what critters are lurking about.

If you are forced to try a live trap.   A plastic tarp can be tossed over the trap to contain the stink.
Rubber gloves to protect your hands.  Transport trap to wherever you want to release stinky.
Keep covered use gloves and get the door open.    Quickly move back to your rig and wait.  With luck he will wander off quickly.

 

I'm not sure of your reasons for wanting mr stinky & family gone, but while you're trying to get rid of them, I thought to give you a silver lining, to having them around, lol. They definitely do have their downsides. My dad always used firearms, and/or kept barn cats. I try to be a 'live & let live' gal - but, that only goes so far... We keep poultry, and I like having lizards around, so we don't keep barn cats. I just keep grain-type feeds in big, lidded, metal trash cans, to discourage rats & mice. If we do end up having a skunk problem, I'll have little or no issue with feeding them to the buzzards.

"Did you know that they kill those pesky household rodents and insects? These mammals will help keep down the number of rodents like; mice, shrews, and moles around your house. Other animals they eat include frogs, snakes, and lizards."

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I consider them too much of a risk to have around. A high-powered rifle with exploding hollow points is the best thing I've found. When you kill one, you want it to die instantly, rather than run under something first. If you don't hit the scent sacks, you will typically have a few minutes to carry it off or bury it before the muscles relax and the oil starts leaking out.

If you attempt to move one against it's will, please remember to video record the event and post it for us to see. (It seldom goes as smoothly as people expect.)

A couple weeks ago, I had 2 juveniles scratching at my sliding glass door.  We often have skunks pass through, but these were obviously taking up residence, and probably a whole family.  They are feasting at night on the bugs and beetles.  They dig shallow holes in the yard looking for bugs, slugs, etc.  There were LOTS of holes.  

Skunks normally don't spray unless they feel threatened.  We have been out at night when they were about and not had a problem - not that we get close, but if they see us, they just head a different direction.  We have finally found their hiding place and will be moving things away today to encourage them to leave.

I have not used a live trap, but from talking with others - skunks cannot spray in the trap.  It doesn't allow them to raise their tail.  Put a tarp or sheet over the trap, take it out where you intend to release it, open the end away from you, and move back to your vehicle.  They will soon leave and you can retrieve the trap.  

Skunks can serve a good purpose, keeping the bug, beetle, grub, mouse population under control.  And, they're cute 😉

Bonnie

As mentioned by others, skunks are super useful at bug and other annoying critter patrol...be very sure their services are not required before eliminating them.

Be cautious about separating Mum's from young; every area has different family timing, so find out when the babes are on their own, before embarking on any exclusion or removal, or you may end up with a bunch of smelly mini me's running around.

If live trapping, check local regs, due to them being a rabies vector species some areas have distance restrictions.

Placing the live trap within an old feed bag, cardboard box, garbage bag, combination of both... this will help contain any expelled spray; set it on a board or cardboard so digging by trapped skunk does not put holes in bag. Before trapping, ensure you have a means to transport that does not involve the INTERIOR of a vehicle; and ensure any dogs do not discover the trap with the skunk before you do.

Oooh, I remember some 40 years ago, a skunk trapped itself in a plastic garbage can at our house. It sprayed inside the can, which burnt a hole through the side, but the hole was too small and jagged for it to get out.

I'm dubious about the possibility of trapping the skunk and moving the trap anywhere (-- in your vehicle??? omg, I wouldn't try that!) and releasing it. Successful personal experience-based tips above might be a better bet