Skunks are opportunistic creatures that are attracted to low-hanging food like garbage and pet foods left outside, as well as denning sites such as wood and rock piles, crawl spaces under porches and decks, and openings under concrete slabs. They are also known to damage landscapes, raid gardens, and dig holes under buildings and homes, potentially causing structural damage. They are also a nuisance, spraying foul-smelling musk on people and pets. While their odor is not toxic to humans, inhaling or coming into contact with it can cause eye irritation and respiratory problems. Skunks can also carry diseases that are transmitted to humans. To avoid the unpleasantness of dealing with a skunk, homeowners should seek skunk removal services and implement exclusion strategies that will keep them away.

While skunks are opportunistic and will dine on anything that is available, there are some things you can do to help prevent them from frequenting your yard and home. To reduce the food supply, eliminate accessible garbage and compost bins, cover window wells, keep bird feeders away from the house, and feed pets indoors instead of outside. If you must feed them outdoors, remove the food immediately afterward to avoid attracting skunks and other wildlife.

Keeping your lawn clean and free of brush can also help prevent skunks from entering. Regular mowing, weeding and pruning will not only make your yard look better but can help to keep away insects that are the preferred food of skunks. Adding grass grubs to your garden can discourage skunks from digging in the lawn as they prefer to eat worms and other invertebrates.

Because of their poor climbing skills, skunks can easily become trapped in basements and window wells. To help them escape, you can place a rough board (using cleats, carpeting, towels, chicken wire, or other materials to provide traction) down the window well or basement. The board should be long enough to serve as a ramp out of the hole. A second person should be present to watch for any signs of agitation.

Skunks can also become entangled in the bars of fences, under sheds and porches, or even underneath houses. To get them out, you can try a variety of methods, including blocking the entrances with metal, wire mesh, or other material. You can also attempt to scare them away with noisemakers such as motion-activated lights, loud music, or air horns.

It is best to call a professional skunk control service to perform humane skunk removal and install exclusion strategies that will keep them away. Skunks can be dangerous to trap and release due to their strong odor, so it is important to have a professional use a safe and effective strategy.

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