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Skunk under your deck: what to do right now

A skunk under the deck is unpleasant but usually manageable. Skunks spray as a last resort, not a first move. The single most important rule: do not block the hole, because a skunk or babies may still be underneath.

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Do this now

  1. 1Keep pets on a leash in the yard, especially at dusk, at night and early morning.
  2. 2Give the area plenty of room. Back away slowly if you see a skunk.
  3. 3Remove pet food, bird seed spills and open trash that may be drawing it in.
  4. 4Find the main entry hole, usually a freshly dug gap along the deck edge.
  5. 5Loosely stuff the hole with newspaper and check the next morning to see if it was pushed out.

Don't

  • Don't block or seal the hole until you are sure nothing is inside.
  • Don't corner, chase or try to catch a skunk.
  • Don't use poison or put mothballs under the deck.

Get help immediately if

  • Someone was bitten or scratched: wash with soap and water and call a doctor and your local health department.
  • Your pet tangled with a skunk: call your veterinarian, especially if there was any bite.
  • The skunk is out during the day and stumbling, circling or acting unusually tame: keep away and get same-day professional help.

Why skunks choose decks and porches

Skunks look for dry, sheltered spots close to food, and the space under a deck, porch, shed or concrete slab is ideal. They feed on grubs, insects, pet food and garbage. In spring, females often have their young under decks, so a skunk that moves in during April to June may soon be a family. Sealing the hole then would trap the babies.

Skunks are one of the main carriers of rabies in Michigan, along with bats. Most skunks you see are healthy, but any bite or scratch should be taken seriously. A skunk that is active in daylight is not always sick, but odd behavior like stumbling or no fear of people is a reason to keep everyone away.

How pros remove skunks without a mess

The professional approach is exclusion. A pro confirms where the skunk is getting in, installs a one-way door so it can leave but not return, and later seals the area with buried wire mesh so it cannot dig back under. If babies are present, the timing is adjusted so the family leaves together. See our wildlife control page for more.

Licensed nuisance wildlife control operators in Michigan work under DNR rules, and wildlife rules vary by species. Relocating trapped animals is restricted, so check with the DNR before trapping or moving a skunk yourself. Done right, exclusion avoids handling the skunk at all, which also lowers the chance of anyone getting sprayed.

What it costs

$250 to $650per removal

Price depends on the size of the deck or porch, how much digging barrier is needed, and whether babies are present. After-hours or same-day emergency visits often cost more. These are typical ranges, not quotes.

Typical ranges, not quotes. More on wildlife and the Michigan cost guide.

Common questions

How do I know if the skunk is gone?

Loosely stuff the hole with newspaper or sprinkle flour in front of it. If the paper is pushed out or there are tracks leading away the next morning, something left. If it stays undisturbed for several nights, the space is likely empty.

What gets skunk smell off my dog?

A widely used home recipe is 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda and a teaspoon of dish soap. Mix it fresh, keep it out of the eyes, rinse well, and never store it in a closed container. Call your vet if the eyes are irritated.

When do baby skunks leave the den?

Young skunks usually start following their mother out of the den in early summer. Until then, sealing the hole can trap them. A pro can tell whether babies are present and time the exclusion so the whole family leaves first.

Other emergencies

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