Sealing off foundation openings to buildings with wire mesh, sheet metal or concrete is a good first step, he said. Fencing out skunks also works. A 3-inch, wire mesh fence that is 1.5 to 2 feet tall is suggested. The bottom 6 inches should be buried underneath the ground, and the wire should be bent outward. If skunks are invading trash cans, use tight-fitting lids, Boren said.
Skunks also feed on rodents, so eliminating rodent problems can reduce the attraction for skunks.
Boren said keep in mind that skunks can carry rabies. Any abnormal behavior, such as daytime activity or refusal to spray when harassed, can indicate that a skunk is carrying rabies. To trap skunks, a box trap placed near their den's entrance is the most efficient, Boren said. Skunks are often taken in traps using canned, fish-flavored cat food as bait. Other food baits such as peanut butter, sardines and chicken entrails also are effective.