I get a phone call two days ago from the local Coca-Cola distribution center. "We have a skunk on a semi-trailer that we need removed." The story goes he was on a recycling trailer and as they were unloading it, backed up to the warehouse dock, it ran out and into an empty trailer setting next to it. How did it get into the recycling trailer? I don't even ask questions like that anymore...Lol.

It's a 35' food grade trailer with a standard wooden floor. I told the guy, "if he sprays in here, you just as well burn this trailer because you'll never get the smell out of the wood." I set a white poly live trap, but told them, "the skunk is out of his natural environment, he's scared, anxious, and wants out, the last thing he's thinking about is eating." Well, the first night it didn't work, just like I thought. Yesterday I had them pull the trailer out of the yard, I opened the door about 24", and ran a 10' 2x6 from the floor of the trailer to the ground and taped it to the chain of the lift-gate in hopes that he'll walk out of there.

If this doesn't work...any suggestions? He's in the front corner of the trailer and I don't want to do anything to provoke him. I thought, this is why we carry insurance, because if he sprays inside the trailer, I might be the new owner of 35' trailer.

Go at night with a flash light that you can put on pulse
Walk slow and euthanize on the spot.
Or just open door make a ramp and let him leave on his own

The ramp is already in place with the 2x6. I just checked it, and he's still there.

make a funnel right into live trap then close up the doors, then go outside the trailer and find where he is then start banging where he is from the outside

2x6 might be too slippery. Use a log.

Move the trailer to a quiet spot. The distribution center is probably busy all the time.

Tack / staple some hardware mesh or attach some lathe strips every 6" or so down your board to allow better foot support. Maybe attach a couple pieces of 3" lathe to each side of the board for his sense of security and support.

He should leave on its own if not harrassed or something else may be going on that you don't know about.

I would put your poly trap against the wall, facing the skunk, 10 to 15' from skunk. Add a second trap on the side of the first but half a trap length forward. This makes a small funnel. Slowly approach from opposite side with a stick or pole and gently tap on the floor as you go. The skunk should follow the wall and walk right into the poly trap. Works in a basement, should work in a trailer.

If the trailer is empty with no spots to hide behind things , I would do this -

Go into the trailer with something like a tall square kitchen type garbage can. Approach the skunk closely watching it's posture and creep up on it getting within 10 feet or so away. Place the kitchen garbage can flat on it's side so the skunk can enter it as a hideout. Then mirror it's movements kinda like a set of magnets repelling each other. Make it go near the garbage can hideout. Using a spray bottle with water that shoots in a stream with good range to make it 'rain' over the skunk. It will avoid you and the rain you are creating and seek shelter in the garbage can. Once it is in the can , carefully upright the can and you can carry it out as the skunk cannot see what is going on too much and with no clear target , it will not spray.

Done this many times inside structures were spraying was not an option.


After removing the skunk , preferred release method is to somewhat roughly toss the skunk out by dumping it out kinda roughly as you want it to tumble several times. It is in the weasel family and this will not hurt or injure itself. Just leaving it in the garbage can , it will not leave it's hideout easily and dumping it out will do the trick. As you toss it out and away from you , it gets disoriented and has no clear threat or target so it will not spray. As it tumbles , use this time to create more distance away from it.

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the suggestions/recommendations!

I'd see if there was a spicket nearby/available and bring in a hose and push it out via spraying a light stream of water on it...they hate water in their face. Rob Erickson method.

FYI: A 35 ft trailer will make a dandy storage/fur shed! LOL

You're right BigBob, it definitely would! He finally got hungry, I had him the following morning.

Glad you got him. Bleach will do wonders on sulfur. You cant spray it on a dog but you could spray the heck out of a trailer. Soapy bleach. The skunk essence is an oil so the soap will help it mix with the water.

The "Recipe" is a much better choice, and is not toxic.

1 Qt Hydrogen Peroxide
1 cup Baking Soda
1 good squirt Liquid Dish Soap

Mix well, don't try to save leftovers