How to Trap a Skunk Without Getting Sprayed

We recently had a nuisance skunk on our farm so I had to learn pretty quick how to trap a skunk without getting sprayed.

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The Danger with Skunks

I don’t have a problem with skunks whatsoever. They are incredibly cute and I hope I get to meet a pet skunk someday. I think this stems from my love of the old show “Grizzly Adams”, where he had pet skunks named Mary Lou and Daniel.

ANYWAY.

Skunks can be a problem on farms because they are omnivores and can make a meal out of almost anything. Grain, eggs, chickens, milk, garden vegetables, cat food, they will eat any of it. 

Obviously they can pose a threat to chickens and make a mess otherwise. Plus they don’t smell the best.

The biggest danger with skunks, however, is rabies. I had planned to just ride out our skunk (they live 2-3 years in the wild) but then the Star Tribune posted this article.

Basically, rabid skunks in my part of Minnesota have been showing up in record numbers. The most common victim of getting bitten and contracting rabies, is cows.  In Minnesota, as of August 2024 there were six cases of rabid cattle when usually they only see one per year.

Rabies is obviously incredibly dangerous for animals and humans, especially animals who haven’t been vaccinated and encounter the virus.

What Type of Trap to Trap Skunks

The most common way of trapping skunks is probably a basic live trap. Skunks are pretty petite but you will likely have more success with a large cage trap about 32 inches x 10 inches.

Using a humane trap like this has the risk of more easily getting sprayed, but you can buy covers for them or just cover them with a tarp like we will talk about below.

You can also pick up a trap specifically designed for trapping skunks. These solid wall traps are spray proof and designed so the skunk can’t lift its tail and can’t spray you. There is this one on Amazon but our local Fleet Farm had one for much cheaper at around $40.

The right trap is whatever one you already have available to you, whether it is a live cage trap or a skunk-specific one.

​The Best Bait for Live Skunk Trapping

I caught my skunk using dry cat food. This worked on the first try.

Wet cat food might be even more enticing. There is of course the risk you might catch stray cats instead, but you should be able to release those without too much trouble. 

I’ve also heard people use peanut butter or yellow starbursts. I had the skunk raid my chicken egg basket a few times so I bet eggs would be a good bait too.

A lot of folks recommend meat-based baits as the best way to lure a skunk in. Really, there isn’t a correct bait to use, so try whatever you already have on hand.

How much does it cost to have someone trap a skunk?

According to a quick google search, if you need skunk removal and choose to hire it out, you are looking at around a $400 bill. A live trap will run you about $40. 

Before you Trap the Skunk

In the United States, make sure you check into local laws and state laws before you have a trapped skunk, as there are rules about how you have to handle them. 

In some states it is illegal to relocate a skunk so you will have to put it down humanely. I’m not one for killing things if I don’t have to, so I chose to relocate mine, which is legal in Minnesota. 

Safety When Handling Skunk Problems

Even if the skunk you are trapping doesn’t have rabies, skunks are still wild animals and they will scratch and bite to protect themselves. Make sure you have thick leather gloves for handling the caged animal. 

I’d also recommend you wear a thicker outer layer to protect your arms, and wear a few layers of clothing to protect your skin from skunk spray. I’d also wear a hat to cover your hair.

If you want to be extra cautious you can wear a facemask and safety goggles, but I wouldn’t say that is necessary.

Yes, they are probably going to spray during this process but you won’t get sprayed. You’ll be alright and walk away smelling not-too skunky. 

Where to Place Your Trap

The best spot to place your trap is somewhere you know the skunk goes often. Right outside their entrance (not blocking it ) or in any area where they have gotten comfortable roaming around and expect to find ready food sources.

Skunks are nocturnal animals so you might not know for sure where they are going at night, so you might try a few locations if you don’t catch one after a few nights.

Keep in mind wherever you put your trap, the ground underneath it will get all scratched up. Once caught in the trap the skunk will try to dig their way out and scratch up an inch or two of the ground underneath.

You should also note that the skunk will likely spray at least once during this process, so the area you are trapping it will be a little skunky for a few days. For this reason, I do not recommend trapping your skunk inside a building if you can help it.

How to Bait a Trap for a Skunk

Once you have chosen the spot for your trap, you will need to set it. Most live traps have a release lever type thing on the top that you pull up, then the trap door in the front swings up.

When you swing the door up, you move the exterior bar on the side forward until it grabs onto the uplifted door, hooking it into place. This will engage the trigger plate in the back.

Test out the trigger plate by pushing a stick through towards the back of the trap and pressing on it. The trap door should slap shut.

Once you have reset the trap, place a little of the bait just outside the door of the trap. Then sprinkle a little midway up the trap. Finally, put a big pile of it at the back of the trap.

​Set the trap in the evening before you go to bed, then check it in the morning. If you don’t catch something the first night, leave it there another night or two, then try a new location.

Putting Down a Skunk

Once you have your captured animal, you need to either put it down in the most humane way you can, or relocate it.

If you are going to put the animal down, the best thing to do is shoot it with a firearm or have someone do it for you. Please do not drown animals. I know skunks can be frustrating, but all animals deserve a quick and respectful dispatching if that is the route you are going.

After the animal is dead, continue to wear gloves while you properly dispose of the carcass. Again, check with local and state laws on this topic.

Relocating a Pesky Skunk

​For me the best solution was to relocate the skunk

After trapping the skunk, I used a large tarp to walk up to the trap. I held the tarp in front of me and slowly walked up to the trap. Do this upwind if possible. 

Before a skunk sprays its defense mechanism, it will raise its tail and stamp its feet in warning. Just keep the tarp up and lay it gently over the cage. Make sure the tarp covers the cage on all sides.

If you hear a sound like someone shooting the tarp with a squirt gun, then the skunk has sprayed it. You’ll smell it in a few seconds.

Once the tarp is over the skunk and it can’t see, it won’t spray anymore. Make sure the tarp is covering the cage enough so when you pick up the cage the tarp is hanging well over all sides.

Pick up the cage using the handle on top. You should be able to do this through the tarp without you having to move it.

Place the cage in the back of a pickup right against the back gate of the bed. Weigh down the tarp thoroughly on all sides and place something on top of it too so you don’t lose the tarp.

​Drive the skunk at least five miles away from the trapping location.

Before you open the truck bed make sure the cage is still completely covered so you don’t get sprayed in the face when you drop the door.

Carry the skunk to the location for release and set it down with the door facing away from you. Pull the tarp back just from the trap door side. Lift the trap or and either prop a brick under it so it stays open, or in my case I was able to swing part of the door on to the top of the cage and weighed it down with the brick.

Back away from the trap and let the skunk leave on its own.

Congratulations! You have humanely trapped and relocated a skunk.

Where to Release a Trapped Skunk

It is best if you can find someone with a lot of acreage that doesn’t mind you releasing a skunk at their location.

If you don’t have a connection, check out google maps and look for a location at least a quarter mile away from any residential area. Preferably the location will have plenty of farm fields, wooded areas, grassland, etc.  Old abandoned farm yards make good spots.

Watch for Babies

There isn’t an easy way to tell if the skunk was male or female, so keep an eye out for baby skunks. If there were any they should start wandering out looking for food within the next day or two.

If this happens, I would contact a local wildlife rescue in your area to see if they will take the babies. You could take them to where you relocated the mom, but the odds of them finding each other before the babies need food is slim.  

Quick Summary of Supplies

To use the method I did for trapping a skunk, you’ll want to have the following.

• Live Trap
• Dry Cat Food
• Large Tarp – Pick something you can throw away after as it will get sprayed. I do not recommend using an old blanket, bed sheet, large towel, or anything else made of cloth.
• Pick Up
• ​Brick
• Hat
• Leather Gloves
• Layers of Long Sleeve Clothing