As a homeowner, few wildlife encounters are more dreaded than running into a skunk in your yard. With their distinctive black and white coloring and infamous smelly spray, skunks are animals most people would prefer to admire from a distance. Unfortunately, when skunks decide to make themselves at home on your property, getting rid of them can be a true challenge.

Skunks are highly adaptable animals that can thrive in a variety of environments, including residential areas. They are drawn to sources of food and shelter and have very few natural predators, meaning once they move in, they tend to stick around. Their nocturnal nature also makes them elusive, so you may not even realize you have unwelcome skunks until the damage is already done.

If your beautiful garden has become a midnight salad bar or you're tired of holding your breath when taking out the trash, it's time to take action. Removing skunks humanely while keeping them from returning takes strategic planning and diligence. To help you reclaim your outdoor space, here are some of the most effective tips and tricks for keeping skunks out of your yard:

Remove Food Sources

Skunks are omnivores and opportunistic eaters, feeding on everything from insects and small rodents to fruits and vegetables. By removing any easily accessible food sources, you eliminate what's attracting them to your yard.

• Secure trash and recycling bins. Skunks are expert dumpster divers. Use latches, bungee cords or weights to ensure lids stay tightly closed. Store bins away from house foundations or decks skunks can crawl under.

• Manage compost piles properly. Turn and cover compost regularly to deter skunks. Place compost in enclosures with small mesh wire openings so skunks can't access food scraps.

• Pick up fallen tree fruit. Rotting apples, pears and other fruit are skunk candy. Collect windfall daily.

• Protect veggie gardens. Use chicken wire fences at least 12 inches tall with an additional 3-6 inch outward facing lip to prevent skunks from climbing over or digging underneath.

Remove Potential Shelter

Skunks seek out dark, enclosed spaces to sleep and birth young. Eliminating attractive denning sites makes your landscape much less welcoming.

• Seal off access under porches, decks and sheds. Use wire mesh, caulk or gravel to close gaps skunks can squeeze through.

• Cut back dense vegetation. Prune shrubs and clear brush piles that offer hiding spots.

• Plug burrow holes. Use soil, rocks, or landscape plugs to fill in any dug out areas around foundations or under decks. Monitor for new digging and re-fill immediately.

Install Physical Barriers

Physical deterrents create instant obstacles to keep skunks from gaining access to your yard. Position barriers between known skunk habitats like woodlands or stream corridors and areas you want to protect.

• Install fences. Solid wood or wire mesh fences at least 6 feet tall with buried lower edges will prevent skunks from entering your landscape.

• Try motion activated sprinklers. Random bursts of water startle skunks and condition them to avoid the area.

• Place prickly plants around gardens. Thorny shrubs like barberry, roses, pyracantha or holly bushes discourage digging.

Use Repellents

Chemical and scent repellents create unpleasant conditions that cause skunks to steer clear:

• Sprinkle granules made with dried blood meal, bone meal or capsaicin around gardens. The strong odors nauseate skunks' sensitive noses. Reapply after rain.

• Spray mixtures of white vinegar and water or citrus oils around yards. The acids and oils irritate skunks.

• Place pouches of mothballs, ammonia soaked rags or jars of pickle juice under decks. The overwhelming smells drive skunks away.

• Install battery or electric operated ultrasonic repellents. The high frequency output annoys skunks. Units should be moved regularly so skunks don't acclimate.

Take Preventative Measures

Stop skunks before they become a problem by making your landscape less hospitable through these proactive measures:

• Illuminate yard areas. Motion sensor spotlights startle skunks and make them feel exposed.

• Remove bird feeders at night. Half-eaten seed attracts skunks.

• Minimize water sources. Drain birdbaths and fill in puddles that can draw insects and provide drinking water.

• Fill holes under concrete patios and steps. Skunks will enlarge to access soil.

• Layer gravel under raised decks. Coarse, uneven rocks discourage skunks from residing underneath.

• Keep pet food indoors. Feed outside only during daylight and clean up before dusk.

By combining multiple skunk deterrent strategies tailored to your specific property, you can break the cycle of skunk residence and send them packing for good. Consistency is key when working to exclude wildlife, so be prepared for the process to take some time. But with diligence, your yard will be skunk-free and the outdoors can be enjoyed once again.