Maintaining a skunk-free property involves employing a combination of strategies designed to deter these animals from establishing residency or foraging for food. Methods include eliminating potential food sources, modifying habitat to make it less attractive, and utilizing repellents. For example, securing garbage cans, removing fallen fruit, and sealing off entry points to crawl spaces are common preventative measures.
Preventing skunk presence offers numerous benefits. It reduces the risk of being sprayed, minimizes the potential for property damage caused by digging and denning, and lowers the chance of pets encountering these animals. Historically, controlling skunk populations was primarily focused on preventing rabies transmission; current strategies emphasize coexistence and humane deterrence methods.