I had a problem with skunks at night, tearing up my yard in search of worms. They do like June bug grubs, too. I searched in the library and online to find a reliable way to make them stop. I could have sprayed the yard with predator urine (stinky), put out poison bait (but when they die a predator could eat them and then die too), or I could trap or shoot them (but that can quickly become a very “stinky” or dangerous affair). My neighbor also had a problem with raccoon regularly knocking over his garbage can and inviting all the other critters to a midnight snack.

I knew that skunks, opossums and raccoon love chicken eggs. Doing some research I found that none of these varmints can tolerate ingesting any more than two aspirins. So, why not put these items together? In each raw egg, add three or more aspirin tablets!

Step 1: ITEMS REQUIRED:

A few fresh eggs.

A bottle of inexpensive aspirin.

A small screwdriver (or something long and pointed to break through eggshell).

A hammer to pulverize the aspirin.

A 6”x 8” piece of thin cardboard.

One pair of surgical gloves (this keeps your human scent off the eggshell).

*Be sure to use your gloves on during the whole operation, including placing the egg outside.

Step 2: MAKE a HOLE IN THE EGG

Spill out a few aspirin and open up the egg carton. Use the open egg carton to hold your eggs steady for this operation. Rotate the eggs so the smaller end is facing up. On the small end of the egg, carefully tap the small screwdriver to break a hole into the end of the shell.

Step 3: PREPARING YOUR EGGS

Inside the egg there is the yolk and white, but there is also a membrane between the liquid and the shell. Between the membrane and the shell is a small air pocket. Use the screwdriver to mix the contents together. While stirring, you will puncture the membrane, the internal air will then escape leaving you room to add the required ingredient.

Step 4: PREPARING THE ASPIRIN

Make a crease in the cardboard and place 3 to 5 aspirin tablets in the crease.

Step 5: PULVERIZE THE TABLETS

Fold the cardboard over the aspirin and use the hammer to pulverize the tablets into powder.

Step 6: ASPIRIN POWDER GOES INTO THE EGG

Pour the aspirin powder into the hole in the egg.

Step 7: MIX THE INGREDIENTS

Use the screwdriver to thoroughly mix the powder into the egg contents.

Step 8: YOUR EGGS ARE READY FOR SNACKING

At dusk, place the egg(s) in the area where you are having the varmint problem. (Caution - Keep your dog or cat away from the area.) In the morning, check the area for activity and remove any residual material. (I never find any. They take the shell and all.) Somewhere, your pesky varmint will be falling off to sleep, never to awake again!