Do you see tracks of a skunk coming out from underneath the porch? Maybe you went down to the shed to get something out and noticed a fresh pile of dirt has been dug out from underneath the building. These are signs that a skunk is living there and is too close to you and your family as well as domestic animals you may own. When skunks move in, they plan to stay put for a while.
When looking for a den, a skunk looks for convenience in finding food, shelter, and water. If they do not have these three, they will struggle to get through the winter and become easy targets for any predators that may be around. A skunk likes to hide but not so far off the grid they cannot get to their three conveniences at any time they need or want it.
If you notice signs of a skunk under your porch or shed, here are a few simple ways to get them out from underneath.
Tip #1: Add light to the area. Skunks need a dark den to feel safe and comfortable. If you have a bright light shining toward their den, they are no longer going to feel safe and will want to leave. Find a sensor light or a large flood light that you can safely shine during the night. Be sure that you place the light so that wind and rain cannot harm it. Be sure to shine the light directly on the entrance of the skunk den so there will be no doubt that you mean business. It shouldn’t take long for the skunk to get tired of this bright light and head out to find a new den.
Tip #2: Skunks want peace and quiet while in their den. Use a radio to find a talk radio channel that will talk and talk until the skunk gets tired of hearing it and wants to move away. Skunks get scared when they hear a human voice speaking and they will no longer feel safe in their den.
Tip #3: The smell of ammonia can be very much like the smell of the urine of a predator. Once they smell this, they will no longer feel safe. Here’s what you need to do. Pour ammonia over several rags and allow the liquid and the rags to soak for a while before placing them around the entryway of the den. If you have apple cider vinegar, you will get the same effect. They will move away when they no longer feel safe in their den. You can also try using cat litter from the cat box to scare them away too.
Use any one of these tips for three days and nights before stopping. This will ensure that the skunk will become scared and look for a new home.
After the third night, place a wadded-up sheet of newspaper inside the den entrance and leave it alone. If the paper is still there when you return a couple days later, then you can be sure that the skunk has moved out.
When you should not try to remove the skunk
Mothers have babies normally between April and September of each year. If you are trying to remove them between these months, you may want to wait until this period of time is over so you can be sure that the mother raises her babies and they all get out of the den safe and sound and move to find a new den somewhere else.
Go back to the Quincy wildlife removal home page.