We Asked Pest Pros If Pine Sol Actually Keeps Skunks Away and They All Agreed

What Is Pine-Sol?

Pine-Sol is a well-known household cleaner that is intended for grease-cutting, stubborn stains, and as a floor cleaner. It was initially made with actual pine oil, but this ingredient was removed in 2016 to lower production costs.

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Does Pine Sol Keep Skunks Away?

Tony King, a pest control expert at Pied Piper Pest Control Company, explains how he’s dealt with many homeowners who have used Pine Sol as a homemade skunk deterrent. While King admits there isn’t much scientific evidence proving that Pine Sol works to repel skunks, he says strong-smelling cleaning products can potentially deter skunks from visiting certain areas.

“Skunks have highly developed sense faculties for smell,” King says.

Nicole Carpenter, a pest control expert who owns and operates Black Pest Prevention, says products like Pine Sol might temporarily keep skunks away, but it’s similar to using perfume to stop a bear.

The smells from these products are formulated to dissipate quickly, and Carpenter says a determined skunk won’t be deterred by them for long. Carpenter suggests applying it to vertical surfaces, or using soaked cotton balls in open glass jars (or poking holes in the lids to allow the fumes to escape).

These two methods will allow the scent to last a bit longer and won’t damage nearby plants or soil. But, she says, as a long-term solution for deterring skunks, Pine Sol may not solve the problem.

“It’s more of a short-term ‘stay away’ notice than a real eviction notice,'” Carpenter says.

King suggests reapplying Pine Sol to surfaces regularly, especially after rain, to keep the smell potent. But he adds that if there are other attractants nearby, like food waste in garbage cans, pet food, or a place where skunks can shelter, the Pine Sol may not be enough to keep them away.

So, we also asked our experts to suggest additional methods for skunk deterrence.

Alternative Methods to Keep Skunks Away

There are a few methods to try for deterring skunks. King recommends “exclusion” methods and repellents as long-term solutions.

Try a Barrier

Exclusion refers to barrier methods such as using hardware cloth or galvanized mesh to keep skunks out of areas such as porches, decks, and sheds, where they often try to make their dens.

“If you believe you have a skunk denned under a structure, you can use a one-way exclusion door to let them leave but not return, but ensure there are no babies left behind,” King says.

Use Motion-Sensitive Lights or Sprinklers

One effective deterrent that King swears by is the use of motion-sensitive lights or sprinklers, which he says will scare skunks and disrupt their nocturnal routine. These methods can be effective, but be careful not to disturb skunks at night (the time they tend to come out and roam looking for food), as they may be startled and might spray you, and getting skunk smell out of clothing can be a challenge.

Consider Other Strong Deterrents

King also recommends using other smell-based deterrents, such as rags soaked in ammonia, which have a very strong odor. Ammonia is generally safe to use but should never be mixed with bleach, or it can emit toxic fumes. Some less toxic smell-based methods King suggests include citrus peels or cotton balls soaked in essential oils that skunks hate the smell of, including lemon, orange, grapefruit, lime, and peppermint.

Putting the cotton balls in glass jars with open lids helps the scent dissipate more slowly for longer effectiveness, and they can be easily refreshed by adding more drops of essential oils to the jar.

There are also commercial products available that King recommends, like non-toxic granular repellents that don’t injure skunks, such as Safer brand Critter-Ridder or Repels-All; these products are considered people and pet-safe when used as directed. They work by temporarily impairing skunks’ olfactory abilities, King says, thereby driving them away from the area.