If you need to get rid of skunks living under your deck or shed, you’re not alone. This shy but smelly mammal is rarely welcomed by homeowners, and for good reason. Aside from the fact that no-one wants to get sprayed by them, their habit of digging holes and up-ending plants makes them an unattractive guest. They’re among the peskiest of wildlife to deal with! Here is what you need to know if you plan on getting rid of them once and for all.
Be On the Lookout for Mothers With Babies From April to September
Ok, so a skunk has moved in and this means war. But we can still be humane about it. If you have a skunk living under your deck or shed between the months of April and September, there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with a mother and her babies. She wants a nice quiet, dark, and safe place to raise her young.
If this is the problem you’re facing, you have two options.
The first option is to leave the mom alone until the end of summer when she and her babies are likely to leave their humble home and go away on their own. After they leave, you should plug up any access points to reduce the odds of another animal from moving in after they’re gone.
The second option is to make it unpleasant for mom and her babies to stick around, in the hopes that she’ll move her family off your property. If you choose this approach, you don’t want to harm the skunks, but you do want to make sure that living under your deck or shed is no longer quiet and dark, or feels safe.
Use fire-safe bright lighting to light up their den or entryway. Put a radio near their den and tune it to a 24/7 talk-radio station – human voices are generally unappealing to skunks. Douse some rags in ammonia or Apple Cider Vinegar, put them in a plastic bag to keep them moist, poke a hole in the bag to let the fumes out, and place this inside or next to their den entrance. The skunks may think this is the scent of a predator’s urine, feel unsafe, and move out.
More Techniques to Get Rid of Skunks
Related: How to get rid of squirrels! & How to get rid of raccoons!
From the end of September until December, it’s unlikely that a mother and her young are in residence, so you can be a bit more aggressive (although still humane) when trying to get rid of your unwelcome visitor. In addition to the approaches listed above regarding the creation of noise, smell, and light to deter skunks, here are some other options that you can try.
The installation of a one-way door at the entrance to their den can be a great way to give your unwelcome guest the hint that it’s time to move out! These work by allowing the skunk to exit the den, but preventing them from moving back in.
Another popular (and easy!) option is to hire a pest-removal company to get rid of the skunk for you. They’re the experts at getting rid of skunks, and their services can save you a lot of time and hassle. Many will provide you a skunk removal quote with no obligation to book their services further.
Keep in mind that in the dead of winter when the ground is frozen, skunks won’t be able to dig a new den for themselves if you evict them – if you find skunks living on your property after the ground has frozen solid, it’s more humane to put off evicting them until the weather warms up.
Prevent Future Problems With Skunks
After the skunks are gone, you’ll want to prevent future issues. Be sure that existing decks are constructed properly so that their footings block wildlife and make it hard to dig beneath them. Consider installing galvanized wire mesh in a trench around your shed to make it unappealing for skunks to dig a den there. And remember not to stress out over this. You can get rid of your unwelcome guests, and prevent them from coming back – it just takes a bit of time and effort (or the hiring of a professional to take care of it for you)!
