Not Coffee Grounds: The Odor Control Staple That'll Deter Skunks From Your Yard

Most people know that a skunk can spray you with a foul-smelling musk that is difficult to get rid of. Although it's particularly unpleasant, skunks actually pose far worse threats. They can transmit canine distemper, which can be fatal to dogs. They're also known to carry both rabies and salmonella. Although each is treatable, they can make you very unwell. On top of that, skunks will tear up your yard and damage your plants looking for food, so it's understandable that you'd want to keep them out. Here's where your cat can be a tremendous help — not directly, but by providing used kitty litter as a deterrent.

Skunks may like to dine in our yards, but they'd rather avoid us if possible. They can often be difficult to spot because they usually feed at night, although there are some dead giveaways they are in your yard. Skunks aren't all bad. They eat bugs (including yellow jackets), mice, and even rattlesnakes thanks to the fact that they are immune to snake bites. We don't want to harm them, we just want them to move on.

Kitty litter is surprisingly versatile stuff around the home and yard. For example, when it's fresh, it can keep your garbage smelling nice. In this case, we want it used. What does the trick is the ammonia in feline urine. Skunks think it smells like one of their natural predators, and they won't hang around to find out.

For used kitty litter to be effective, it needs to be placed near the mouth of the den or at the point where skunks enter the yard if they are living outside it. Some detective work may be necessary to narrow down this location — check under porches, decking, or sheds. The scent will weaken after a while, so the kitty litter will need to be replaced, particularly after it has rained. If you'd rather not leave small piles of kitty litter visible around the yard, some people suggest putting it in a small bag and puncturing it to let the smell work its way out.

One alternative is to buy 'the real thing': actual predator urine from coyotes or wolves. However, some experts question whether they actually work, and there are concerns that wild animals may be mistreated to produce them. Trapping is another option, but it is notoriously difficult and best left to professionals.

Those people who care about the natural world and the environment around them would rather use humane ways to keep critters out of the yard. When it comes to deterring skunks, used kitty litter can not only do the job, but your cat will provide as much as you need for free.