Skunks-Problems and Solutions

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Skunks

Occasional skunk sightings in a neighborhood doesn’t necessarily mean there is a problem. Measures can be taken to discourage skunks from sticking around. These include removing garbage and pet food left out at night and eliminating convenient denning sites such as wood and rock piles, elevated sheds, openings under concrete slabs and porches and access to crawl spaces under houses.

Skunks are usually announced more from smell than sight. Musk odor might linger for days where a skunk has sprayed. Persistent, faint musk smells associated with a 4-6 inch diameter hole under a building or woodpile indicates that a skunk may have taken up residence. If you discover a den that you suspect might belong to a skunk, first check to see if the occupancy is current. This may be done by loosely filling the hole (or holes) with soil, leaves or material such as straw. If a skunk is present, it will easily push its way out that night and reopen the hole. If the plug remains undisturbed for two or three nights (and it is not winter), it is safe to assume that the hole is unoccupied and can be permanently closed. If a skunk, or any other animal, is present, either harassment or eviction using a one-way door system is recommended.

Harassment - When it is safe to displace skunks, mild harassment can be very effective. First try repacking the hole the skunk is using with leaves or other material to see if it will get the message and move elsewhere. If this fails, place ammonia-soaked rags near or inside the burrow to one side so that the skunk has to pass them to get in and out. Make sure the skunk is not close by before taking either of these measures.

Eviction – A skunk may be evicted from an active den by installing a one-way door over the entrance to allow it to leave but prevent reentry. These doors are available commercially. One company that sells them is the

Tomahawk Live Trap Company
P. O. Box 323
Tomahawk, Wisconsin 54487
Tel: 1-800-272-8727

Care must be taken to ensure that the door can open without hitting an obstruction. Leave the door in place for two or three nights to be sure that the skunk has left. Be sure that no new holes appear nearby. Remove the door and close the opening.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not install a one-way door in May or June when there may be babies left behind in the den. The babies will starve and possibly discharge their spray before dying. Instead, either wait for the skunk family to move or use mild harassment to try to accelerate the process. The mother skunk will, under the right circumstances, carry her babies to a new den. Do not permanently seal the opening until the plug remains undisturbed for several nights.

If a skunk becomes trapped in a window well (the basement window area), the best method of freeing it is to provide it with a means of escape. In the well, place a rough board (or one with cleats) that is long enough to act as a ramp to the top. The board should lean no steeper than a 45 degree angle. The board should be slowly and carefully placed by approaching the well low enough to be out of sight of the skunk. If possible, a second person with a vantage point high enough to see the skunk can warn of any signs of its becoming agitated, indicated by the skunk raising its tail or stamping its front feet. If this happens, stop and rethink your strategy. Another method of placing the board is to tie it to the end of a long pole and lower it by holding the opposite end of the pole. Once the board is placed, keep people and pets away from the area until nightfall when the skunk should leave on its own. To prevent this situation from reoccurring, place exit ramps or tight-fitting covers at each window well.