Popular household remedy for keeping skunks away dismissed as myth by wildlife expert
Fox News
Last updated: June 15, 2026
Online advice frequently suggests using Irish Spring soap to repel skunks, but wildlife experts state this method is largely ineffective. Homeowners often place the soap around their property, believing its strong scent deters skunks.
- Skunk deterrence advice online often includes using strongly scented items like Irish Spring soap, mint, or mothballs, which experts dismiss as "wives tales." The common practice involves placing soap chunks or grated pieces in mesh bags in areas frequented by skunks.
- Wildlife expert Ned Bruha emphasizes that practical solutions, such as physically blocking access to potential den sites under decks, sheds, and sidewalks, are more effective long-term. He advises against relying on anecdotal remedies like scented soaps or essential oils.
- Bruha also cautions that trapping or relocating skunks is often a futile effort due to their tenacious nature and the continuous presence of new animals. Spring and early summer are particularly active periods for skunks, with young kits emerging, complicating removal efforts and potentially leading to orphaned animals.
- The most effective strategies recommended involve securing garbage, removing food sources that attract skunks, and sealing off potential shelter areas.
